OLM'S on new vehicles

[kenmac]

Are these things just put on vehicles to remind folkes to change their oil at a specific mileage or hours ? Or, do they really keep a check on the oil's condition ? The reason I ask this question is that , I had the oil changed in my company vehicle about a week ago( b-4 the change engine oil light came on). At about noon today the change engine oil light came on ( I guess to remind me to change the oil) .Unless this thing is screwed up it can't be telling me that the oil is already bad ! The total miles on the truck is about 9500 & only about 100 miles on the new oil. I'am thinking that this thing (change engine oil light) is programed to to flash after x # of hours & if you change the oil b-4 the light comes on , it get's the system out of wack !

What has been your experences with these OLM'S ?
Anyone had this to happen ?

 

[cowpie1]

It uses a complicated algorithm based on the operation of the vehicle to determine when time to change the oil. There is no real analysis of the oils condition going on.

All in all, I have not seen any data that would suggest that it is a bad idea. Most oils today have longer lives than the traditional 3000 mile oil changes we grew up with and were force fed.

My guess about the light coming on is that the system was not reset manually at the time of the oil change.

IMHO, I don't have any need for some of these systems that are being put on vehicles today. There are so many things that are put on vehicles that we consumers have to pay for and they are not required by regulatory agencies. It is a "warm-fuzzy" that the manufacturers do. The only benefit I can see is that maybe it will finally break Americans out of the 3000 mile oil change idea and save some oil. The same vehicles we buy here are sold in Europe where 10K or longer oil changes are standard practice and synthetics are the norm.

 

[dqdave1]

OLM moniters the driving habits and engine conditions only. It processes the information and determines when the oil should be changed. When you change the oil, it needs to be reset ( told) that the oil was changed so it can "strt over". It does not actually test the oil.
This system should save drivers $$$$ spent on un needed oil changes and also help the enviroment to boot.

GM owners should change oil when OLM light tells you to.

 

[dknarnd]

Recently I was fortunate enough to find a 2004 GM Crew cab with 18,000 miles on it. It had sit garaged for about 9 months so I changed the oil immediately. When I was at 3200 miles the OLM was at 50% but I will do this next change in the next 1000 miles simply because I am not sure what oil was in it before I purchased it. After that I will follow the OLM and I will be using Mobil Clean 7500 which is a synthitec blend oil.

I have read many posts on various fourms and have found no reason to not go by the OLM on the GM vehicles. This is assuming you are using an oil that meets the GM specifications listed for your particular vehicle. If you choose to use an oil that far excedes the manufacturer specifications then you should use oil analysis to determine your change interval.

 

[schmism]

ive noticed a significant diffrence in total miles my BMW will allow to be put on the oil based on driving conditions.

if i put 1500 miles of highway on it, its good for 6K+.... if i spend 3-4K in stop and go traffic it wants me to change it. (mine show a decreasing incrament of green lights, then yellow then red)

 

[kenmac]

I just found it odd for the thing to flash "change engine oil " 100 miles after the oil was changed & b-4 I was told to change the oil by the computer. I shouldn't have had to reset it because it was never on . It came on only after the oil was changed

 

[Gator6x4]

It uses a complicated algorithm based on the operation of the vehicle to determine when time to change the oil. There is no real analysis of the oils condition going on.

IMHO, I don't have any need for some of these systems that are being put on vehicles today. There are so many things that are put on vehicles that we consumers have to pay for and they are not required by regulatory agencies. It is a "warm-fuzzy" that the manufacturers do. The only benefit I can see is that maybe it will finally break Americans out of the 3000 mile oil change idea and save some oil. The same vehicles we buy here are sold in Europe where 10K or longer oil changes are standard practice and synthetics are the norm.

I think they were put on vehicles because some of the people who drive today are unaware the oil needs checking or changing. Ask a couple of people when was the last time you checked your engine oil. Don't be surprised if you get a blank stare. I know a gentlemen who purchased a new vehicle and when the engine seized he was upset because the manafacture would not replace the engine under "WARRANTY". Drove the vehicle away from the dealership the day of purchase, never checked the oil or had it changed. The "Oil Change" reminder has surprised many a person. Talk to some of the Service Tech's at dealerships, more and more are showing up with a check engine light two, three and four quarts low on oil. The days of a "Full Service" Service Station are gone. When is the last time you saw a business selling gasoline/diesel where someone put the gas/diesel in for you and checked the engine and transmission oil, cleaned the windshield and put air in your tires. Don't need oil or have a flat tire when traveling on the interstate and expect to pull off at the next exit and have the tire repaired so you can replace the 55 MPH and 55 travel miles spare tire provided with vehicles today. And if you have a tire problem after five o'clock start looking for a motel.

 

[cup149]

You need to reset it when you change oil even if it is not on. In most cases it is an algorithim in the computer that takes into account things like cold starts, stop and go driving, high temps to calculate the theoretical oil life. It's not a sensor that monitors the condition of the oil, so the computer had no way of knowing you changed the oil.

 

[DieselPower]

Everything you ever wanted to know about the GM OLM.

http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/_res/pdf/OLS1.pdf

GM - GMability Environment: News: Simplified Maintenance Q&A

 

[KAB]

Are these things just put on vehicles to remind folkes to change their oil at a specific mileage or hours ? Or, do they really keep a check on the oil's condition ? ... CUT... The total miles on the truck is about 9500 & only about 100 miles on the new oil. I'am thinking that this thing (change engine oil light) is programed to to flash after x # of hours & if you change the oil b-4 the light comes on , it get's the system out of wack !

What has been your experences with these OLM'S ?
Anyone had this to happen ?

kenmac

I can assume like everybody else and figure you have a GM vehicle and repeat the answers or let you know that if you have a GM read the answers and remind you that when the oil is changed you will need to reset the OLM (directions are in the owners manual) If you can't find it let me know and I will see if I can find the directions for your vehicle. You should also know the vehicle has no idea what type of oil you use, it assumes that you used the minimum grade of oil that is specified in the owners manual.

If you have a non-GM vehicle then the light is an oil change reminder light that comes on at a predetermined interval based on ????, but still needs to be reset whenever the oil is changed.

Kurt