C0MING UP ON MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AND I am going with the syn.
How does the sensor know regular from syn, will it know that the syn has longer life?

 

The BCM, which controls the oil life messages, only knows how many times you turned the key on and off plus the miles you drove during those events. It does not know the type, quality or amount of oil in the engine.

 

If i have to guess, that oil life percentage is based on "x" amount of miles driven for every 1% drop. While were here, I'm thinking of going synthetic on the next one. Any thoughts of this?

 

There is a lot more to it then just miles driven, Eng. RPM,Eng. load,idle time ect.ect.

 

The oil life monitor only reads two parameters: number of engine revolutions since the last reset and the oil temperature history since the last reset.

If you switch to synthetic, the oil life monitor's programming will not be accurate.

I use Red Line 10W30 in my HHR. I reset the OLM at an oil change. At 50% I change the oil filter then reset the OLM to 100%. The second time I see 50% I change the filter again and at zero, I change the oil and filter.

 

Keep in mind the SS will be set for Syn since it comes with it.

 

anybody ever use 0W oil in their car? I saw it today and didn't think it could possibly be good, but I called up a friend and he said he's used and did actually see an increase in mpg. I've always used at least 5w30 synthetic in my newer cars, thicker standard oil in older cars

 

I wasn't aware that the SS was factory-filled with synthetic but, considering the 260hp from 2-liters, it makes sense.

Obviously, the engine computer contains OLM programming specific to the type of oil, petro-based or synthetic, that comes in the engine.

If the OLM programming can be changed by the user is a question someone with more knowlege than I will have to answer.

 

So what do you guys think about THIS explanation of the oil life monitor on another forum?

 

That other post said the "Change Oil Soon" will come on at 10%, I just changed mine at 9% and never saw anything. When is it supposed to say to change the oil?