Posted by rgv on April 16, 01 at 10:22:44:
the oil life monitoring does not actually monitor or measure oil lubricating qualities (viscosity, contaminant levels)
How it works is this,
When set to zero, the PCM sets the oil life at say 10,000 'points'.
Each mile the engine records deducts one point. Each cold start deducts three points. Each warm-up-shut-down cycle under 10 miles deducts 10 points. Each minute over 4000 rpm deducts one point, etc etc etc (NOTE these numbers are just examples).
WHen the oil life gets to zero points, the indicator light goes on.
In all GMs except the vette, the oil life algorithms are set for dino oil.
Some of the 2001 and 2002 literature states that they are increasing the oil life intervals "based on testing" whatever that means. I guess the conventional oils made today are a lot better than we give credit.
: From the chevrolet.com website:
: "GM Oil Life Monitoring
: Based on individual driving habits, the engine oil life monitor notifies Suburban owners when it's time to change their oil – eliminating unnecessary oil changes and corresponding waste."
: Does anyone know what this new system monitors, exactly? Does anyone think this system will finally put an end to the Dino vs Synth oil argument, at least for owners who have the system?
: I mean, with AMSOIL claiming 25K between the changes, I wonder if this system will show the oil as being usable for that long, or if it checks something that breaks down in ALL oils?
: I know that if I had this system, and it told me to change the Synth oil after only 5,000 miles, I would either doubt the testing system or start doubting the claims of the Synth oil.
: So I guess in that case, it would not really solve anything, would it?
: BUT - if it declares the Synth oil to be OK for 20,000 miles or more, I guess it WOULD solve the argument, wouldn't it?
: Any comments !!!??!?!?!?!??!?!