"Shelf Life" of Engine Oils

[lawn_king]

It depenes on the car. Honda goes based on miles only. The GM is a lot smarter then that. way more. It goes by many things, miles is one, starts is another etc etc. Also uses basic algorithm to compute data. The GM is a pretty complex system.

I think gm programs some basic alerts into their computers, i just changed my tahoe (2002) oil & filter last week, and i got the change oil alert today. I think some dealers do some programing to alert you to bring the vehicle back to them $$ ??

 

[Doc_Bob]

I think gm programs some basic alerts into their computers, i just changed my tahoe (2002) oil & filter last week, and i got the change oil alert today. I think some dealers do some programing to alert you to bring the vehicle back to them $$ ??

Unless you reset the oil change program and told it you had new oil, it would do that. My Cadillac required me to reset it when i changed the oil.
Bob

 

[DieselPower]

Yep, sounds like you need to reset your OLM (oil life monitor). Check your owners manual. It will tell you how to gain entry to the reset feature through your radio. Yes, radio's do more than just play music now day's.

 

[BTDT]

Yep, sounds like you need to reset your OLM (oil life monitor). Check your owners manual. It will tell you how to gain entry to the reset feature through your radio. Yes, radio's do more than just play music now day's.

Yes, and the car's computer does more than monitor your engine. The news had a story about insurance co. were trying to get them to program computers memory's like a black box in airplane, that way they knew how fast you were going when you had your accident, whether or not you tried to apply brakes, etc. to help decide whether or not they would pay your claim.

 

[KICK]

info might already be in the cars computer?

I know the ECM's used in Cummins and Detroits have that feature and my employer pulls it up every time one of our operators gets in an accident.

everything in there from how many brake applications and maximum G;s to how much idling, how long, fuel used,maximum speed and any other thing you can think of.

 

[DieselPower]

info might already be in the cars computer?

I know the ECM's used in Cummins and Detroits have that feature and my employer pulls it up every time one of our operators gets in an accident.

everything in there from how many brake applications and maximum G;s to how much idling, how long, fuel used,maximum speed and any other thing you can think of.

They sure do. I think it was in 1999 or 2000 when I was working at the local International truck dealer we had a customer that got into a accident. Claimed the ABS brake system didn't work and the accident wasn't his fault (didn't you know, it's never the drivers fault). To make a long story short I spent the next 5 day's working with the Bendix and Caterpillar engineers that flew in to investigate the claims. It was amazing all the info they pulled out of the trucks ECM. Had everything from the individual wheel speeds, all engine parameters, vehicle deceleration rate to the outside air temp at the time of the accident! In the end it was the drivers fault. He just hit the brake's to late.