I have 660 miles on my car now and I noticed that the oil life indicator shows 90%. That would seem to translate to about 6500 to 7000 miles before the first oil change is due. When are most people seeing the car indicate that a first oil change is due?
i just got my oil changed at about 5500 miles and the gauge showed 60% ... i had it replaced with valvoline ow-20 and my gas mileage already went up 10% from about 47-8 mpg to 52-3 mpg ... there was also a little surprise in the air filter box -- a clump of hair? carpet? indeterminate fibers? -- that the oil change guy said was probably a mouse starting to build a home ... I don't buy it !!! as my car never sits more than a day or two, and I recently returned from my NY > TX run I think I probably sucked up something on the road ... at any rate the old girl appears to be breathing easier too (is there any possibility that the foreign shit somehow was in there from the factory) ... whatever the case may be she is running better than when I got her
My car just had it's first oil change. At 6,400 miles the indicator was still showing 30%, but I'm not used to going beyond 5,000 miles. I used Castrol Edge 0w-20. Haven't noticed any improvement yet on the mileage. The tech did do something a little unusual... on the report he had written that he had put 32psi in each tire. I've been running them at 37 or so, so when I stopped to add a little air I was surprised to see that all four of them were about 43psi. Guess the guy thought he was doing me a favor.
From my experience (4 oil changes so far), you can go a bit over 12,000 miles for the meter to be at 0%. The first oil change might be a little less. There is several stories (including mine...) where insight owners went to the dealer for the first oil change sooner (oil life still at 50%+) and the dealer said he wouldn't change the oil, claiming there is no engine breaking special oil out of the factory. They send us (me...) back home to come back only when it reach 15% or below.
Rule of thumb, 10,000 miles, MID should show around 15% left. It's time to think about oil change.
My car hit 10,000 miles last week, then about 10 minutes later I got the oil change warning on the MID because it had dropped to 15%
90% of my driving is highway.
Don't change the oil if it isn't below 15% unless you're willing to spend money on unnecessary oil changes. The oil life percentage meter was designed to measure the quality of your oil based on your driving style and how much strain you put on the engine. It is usable up until the point it hits 0, but recommended that you change it at 15%.
Don't change the oil if it isn't below 15% unless you're willing to spend money on unnecessary oil changes. The oil life percentage meter was designed to measure the quality of your oil based on your driving style and how much strain you put on the engine. It is usable up until the point it hits 0, but recommended that you change it at 15%.
No, I won't be. I have been expecting 10K oil changes and was surprised that my MID was showing 90% life at 660 miles. I would have expected closer to 1K before seeing that drop. My trips in my car will usually be longer and closer to highway speeds, but lately they have been short and slow and due to the heat there has been some idling with the A/C running to keep cool. I am just wondering if it is going to shorten my first oil change due to "rough service"? But I really wasn't sure how soon the first oil change came for others. Now that I know that many go 10k for the first, it will tell me if my pattern of driving is shortening my oil life. And it definitely reinforces my view that the best synthetic is not for me going to be a waste of money.
Yes, great site. I have been a frequent reader and infrequent poster there for several years. Pretty much have my oil questions answered now. I was just surprised that my usage of the car may be cutting my oil life short. We tend to keep our cars into the 100k+ range and I want to make sure that I take all the steps to keep it in great shape. I will keep a close eye on the MID and my oil life in the future for that reason.
Regarding the first oil change, one should consider a popular rumor that the car does not come with typical 0W20. It is alleged to be a special break in mixture. I'm not aware of anyone who has sent a new car sample in to have it analyzed. But if it is a special blend, then it might be wise to leave it in until the MID gets pretty low.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Oil Life
