Change Oil light

**UKXK189** · 06-07-2008, 12:37 PM

The change oil light in my car has recently started coming on at start up. after it runs for about 45 seconds, the light goes off and stays off until the next time I start it. I use synthetic, and have changed the oil twice in the past 2 months. I have checked the oil level and it is fine, when I changed it last week it came out looking basically like it did going in (less than 600 miles since it was put in), and the car has less than 18k miles on it. Any ideas?

**JattGunMan** · 06-07-2008, 01:24 PM

Did you ever reset the oil detection system after the oil change?Your have to reset it each time

**UKXK189** · 06-07-2008, 01:26 PM

No. How do I do that, or is it in the owners manual?

**2001NBMZ28** · 06-07-2008, 01:50 PM

Yep it's in the owners manual. Another method is turn the key to RUN and don't start the car, depress the gas pedal 3 times if you don't want to lose your trip mileage, either method should restart the GM oil life system on the next ignition cycle.

**Lucky 13** · 06-07-2008, 04:10 PM

Yeah the light does not actually indicate that you need your oil changed by the condition or level of the oil. All it is, is a timer. It comes on every 3,000? miles after you reset it to remind you that you need an oil change.

Do what 2001 said above and turn the key to run and floor it 3 times within 5 seconds and then start the car and it will be reset

***Ed Blown Vert*** · 06-07-2008, 04:48 PM

Or turn the key to on, hold down the reset button till the indicator blinks.

**UKXK189** · 06-08-2008, 12:55 PM

That did the trick, thanks guys!

**splitfinger09** · 06-08-2008, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Lucky 13

Yeah the light does not actually indicate that you need your oil changed by the condition or level of the oil. All it is, is a timer. It comes on every 3,000? miles after you reset it to remind you that you need an oil change.

Do what 2001 said above and turn the key to run and floor it 3 times within 5 seconds and then start the car and it will be reset

Pretty sure its not just a timer...The system itself uses an algorithm that tracks engine revolutions and temperature and predicts oil life based on these parameters and driver use.

**Frost** · 06-09-2008, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by splitfinger09

Pretty sure its not just a timer...The system itself uses an algorithm that tracks engine revolutions and temperature and predicts oil life based on these parameters and driver use.

It's not that I don't believe you, but do you have any code or information to back this up? I've never seen any, that's why I ask.

**jamessr** · 06-09-2008, 09:15 PM

no freaking way...
I didn't know that

**Cutlass** · 06-10-2008, 03:32 AM

Originally Posted by Frost

It's not that I don't believe you, but do you have any code or information to back this up? I've never seen any, that's why I ask.

Its true. Its not a simple timer. Here's how GM words it in the service manual:

This vehicle is equipped with an engine oil life monitor. The engine oil life monitor will indicate when to change the engine oil - usually between 5 000 km (3,000 mi) and 16 000 km (10,000 mi) since the last oil change. Under severe conditions, the CHANGE OIL message may be displayed before 5 000 km (3,000 mi).

The vehicle MUST NOT be driven more than 16 000 km (10,000 mi) or 12 months without an oil change.

The engine oil life monitor will not detect dust in the oil. If the vehicle is driven in a dusty area, be sure to change the oil every 5 000 km (3,000 mi) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL message is displayed.