[Mark_]

I have a problem. My "change oil" message came too early...like 1800mi too early. Now every time I start the KL, it screams at me to change the oil. The problem is when I go to reset my oil indicator, it won't reset...even after following the directions. After about 10 times with no results, I thought maybe it needs to see the oil system opened. So I checked my oil which was within specs and pretty clean, opened the filler, poured in a 1/2 cup of oil and tried to reset the oil gauge again...and nothing.

Am I missing something? Any tips are appreciated.

AK4wheeler

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.

Edit to add : what can accelerate the drop in % : if there are changes in your driving like towing, more stop-and-go, sporty driving, etc... will bring the oil life down more quickly.

 

[Mark_]

..."poured in a 1/2 cup of oil"

Sounds more like baking a cake

Or making mayo

 

[Mark_]

I didn't know that was a thing Mark. Please share your recipe... LOL!!! 😁😉😎

From the best ! :

 

[Mark_]

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%.

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.

 

[Mark_]

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.

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

 

[Mark_]

Now, if we were talking about Mobil 1, it would look more like this!!! 😁😉😎

View attachment 227082 View attachment 227083
View attachment 227084

Yes, but. Mobil One isn't MS-6395 certified, it should never come near our engines. Let the party begin ⚡⚡

 

[Mark_]

You're right...Mobil 1 5w50 is for Ford Coyote V8's. I'm definitely not partial to any brand of oil. I probably use 4 or 5 different brands between all of my different vehicles...😉😎

Hahaha... Funny thing is (repeating myself but always fun) is that Mobil was a Chrysler partner before Fiat. M1 sported MS-6395, but then it didn't after Shell (Pennzoil) got in with FCA. Did M1 become lesser with no MS-6395 ? Of course not, they just decided to give them the finger by not bowing to the requirements to meet the spec.
I think I'm at oil change #14 in this KL, give or take one, and 12 of them carried PP. Because it was on special every time I needed a jug. I really don't give a crap about brand... but don't tell anyone...