If you have spent time behind the wheel you can recognize the dreaded oil service indicator when it lights up your dash. A frequent question is, how important or accurate is this indicator?
To begin, there are 3 types of oil change indicators:
Mileage based: An oil change indicator will que you based on a set mileage. Very simple, but effective.
Algorithm Based: The engine control module will calculate when the oil change is due based on engine operating information such as operating temperature and engine load. There is not a direct oil sample being tested.
Direct Measurement: Uses sensors to directly measure the oil condition. This can be done different ways, but each manufacturer will look at a combination of 4 things. Soot content suspended in the oil. Presence of water or moisture. The physical characteristics of the oil (Piezoelectric sensors can tell how thick the oil is). Conductivity, or how easy does electricity pass through the oil (typically the resistance of the oil is lower when there are high levels of contaminants present).
After looking at oil sample data and reading many different oil content reports, I can confidently say the Algorithm Based and Direct Measurement oil life indicators are fairly accurate and can be relied upon to present an accurate assessment of the oil, but this is only half of the answer.
Even if the oil itself is “doing it’s job” there are many things to consider when paired with extended oil change intervals, common on newer vehicles. According to Consumer Reports, a new engine can consume up to 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. Although this example might be a little excessive, even a smaller amount of oil consumption can add up over an extended 8,000 miles leaving the engine oil system low and deprived. Soot and moisture, not captured by the oil filter, can settle, form deposits, and eventually limit oil flow to important engine parts. Neither of these conditions are created by oil quality and both create premature damage which lead to costly repair and shorter engine life. These are just two examples of many.
Sooooo… the 3000 mile oil service interval might be a thing of the past, but I would give some good thought about extending the interval too far. Shortening the interval by adding 1 extra oil service and an oil system flush every year wouldn’t cost much and could save you thousands of dollars by avoiding major repairs. For more information, or if you would like to talk about your specific situation, give me a call at Dripping Springs Automotive, 512-829-5123.