[Lindy]

Rand already gave you the full proof method of resetting your oil life monitor. Have you always done your oil changes? How were you resetting the oil life monitor?

I'm guessing that you were resetting it via the EVIC and the last time you did it, it didn't work and you just didn't notice it. Like Rand, the EVIC method has never worked for me, but we had a member here recently who had always done it that way and then one day it just stopped working for him. Perhaps you are finding yourself in the same situation.

The good news is that the gas pedal method always works and if it doesn't for you, then you have an issue that a dealer is going to have to address.

 

[Lindy]

Hi,

Can you explain what you mean by 'message came too early...like 1800mi too early' ???
That makes no sense to me.

The oil life indicator first warns you when you have 10% oil life left (if I recall) and then it gets more persistant at 5%, and this system is not mileage based. The computer monitors different parameters and shows life as %, not miles. Once reset to 100%, it will gradually run down in % and there is nothing you can do to accelerate, slow or alter that count manually, other than a reset to 100%. So color me confused.

Perhaps he changes the oil when it hits 10%, and it is usually at the same X number of miles at that time. But this time he had 1800 miles less than the usual when it hit 10%.

 

[Lindy]

Yeah, kinda what I'm thinking too. For example, if I get close to 10% oil life in winter, it gets there more quickly than in the middle of summer. I get about 7K miles to 5% where I am, with my driving conditions (mostly city and rural road driving) ; I've seen 7K, 7.5K, it depends. Some on here who do mostly highway driving in moderate/milder climates have seen close to 10K miles before they see 5% oil life left.

Yes, I would expect that the mileage to percentage level to vary depending upon a range of factors. In fact, if it didn't, then I would suspect that oil monitors aren't doing anything but calculating miles driven. But from what I've read, they do calculate several different factors.

However, what they don't track is your oil level, oil quality (Full syn vs dino, for example) and oil condition. In some oils the viscosity levels will break down faster that others, and the type of engine it is running in will affect that too.

Personally, I don't pay any attention to my oil life monitor. I just change my oil every 5-6 thousand miles. I've chosen that interval based on the many used oil tests I've done over the years. At that range every brand of full syn oil I've had tested still maintains its viscosity rating and its protective additives are still strong. IE: The oil hasn't 'worn' out yet.

Could I safely run 7-10 thousand miles? Probably, but oil isn't that expensive and it's easy to change. Plus, I start getting concerned about the oil filters ability to filter the oil once you get way up there in the 7-10 range.

Hey, is this the latest oil thread then? Sweet! Except I've just summed up my feelings about oil changes and I've got nothing more to say.

 

[Lindy]

HAHAHA... it's friday night, you'll have more to say if we insist a little

Yeah I agree. The monitor is a very approximate reminder. Probably a way to alert those who might otherwise 'forget' it's time to change the oil. I wait until I get to 5%, but it's never above 7.5K miles and I don't really worry about it, especially when I'm running superb Castrol Edge full syn, the oil of Gods... HAHAHA... (it's friday night for me too )
Oh no wait, I've got Pee-Pee in there now, not Castrol Edge... oh well, next oil change at 3K for me then

Edit : for those wondering... PP (Pee-Pee) = Pennzoil Platinum

You calling Pennzoil Platinum Pee-Pee would ENRAGE some people. It's a big favorite of many people and I'm kinda surprised Scott doesn't link to it every week.

Nothing wrong with Castrol (gritting my teeth while typing that....haha) and for that matter, I ran an oil test on Walmart's SuperTech oil once and that passed with flying colors as well. I buy whatever full syn oil is on sale and call it a good oil change. Fortunately, I haven't had to stoop to buying Castrol lately....

 

[Lindy]

I just got a coupon in the mail from my dealer for a $40 full synthetic oil change on the Trailhawk. I'll be taking advantage of that. Saves me $20...😉😎

Now, the Shelby I do myself. That thing holds 10qts of Mobil 1 FS X2 5W50. Dealer wants $250 for that oil change, but nobody touches that car besides me, and one other person...😉😎

Just curious, what does that $40 oil change really cost you after taxes and oil disposal fees, etc?

Since you have the 2.0 you only need 5 quarts, right? Around here I could find a 5qt jug of full syn for $20 and a Wix filter for $10. Then I could use the money I saved to buy lottery tickets. Then, next thing you know I'll be driving around in one of these.

 

[Lindy]

OK, OK, OK...

First, I missed typed...I put in 1/2 a QUART...


AK4wheeler

So now you must have a half quart more oil in the crankcase than you should, unless you were already down a half quart?

What engine do you have in your Cherokee?