Oil change light ON.

Car: 2001 Pontiac Firebird V6 3.8L

I changed the oil of my car when it recently just hit 85,000 miles and now it is at 86,500 miles.

While coming from Miami (a 2hr trip), when I was going like one third of the trip, the oil change lights up, first time that happens since I have had the car. First thing that came to mind was a leak or something so I looked at the gages and the engine temperature and the oil pressure were regular. Temp was stable at a little less than half and oil pressure was stable at a little more than half, where they have always been. After 15-20 secs of being on, it went off by itself and never came back. Now ever since that happened, every time I turn the car on, I get the same light for the same amount of time and then turns off. Since it happened in the expressway, it has been happening continously every time I turn it on.

What could be causing this?

Car: 2001 Pontiac Firebird V6 3.8L

I changed the oil of my car when it recently just hit 85,000 miles and now it is at 86,500 miles.

While coming from Miami (a 2hr trip), when I was going like one third of the trip, the oil change lights up, first time that happens since I have had the car. First thing that came to mind was a leak or something so I looked at the gages and the engine temperature and the oil pressure were regular. Temp was stable at a little less than half and oil pressure was stable at a little more than half, where they have always been. After 15-20 secs of being on, it went off by itself and never came back. Now ever since that happened, every time I turn the car on, I get the same light for the same amount of time and then turns off. Since it happened in the expressway, it has been happening continously every time I turn it on.

What could be causing this?

I think you have to reset those after you change the oil. Unless im mistaken the cars computer decides the oil is bad by monitoring various conditions. The book to your car might tell you how to reset it.

Thanks for replying.

I dont have a book for my car since I got it used at 82k miles.

I did change the oil like 2 weeks ago at 85k miles.

I change my oil 2 or 3 times before the light comes on.
It is controlled by engine RPM's. Turns on after a certain number of times the motor has turned over.
Seems to average 7,500 miles for both my Grand Am and Trans Am.

Key in the 'on' position and the car off, press the trip reset in for 10-12 seconds. Should reset it IF it is just like me.

Thanks it worked.

Cool i hadnt heard of that one Mr. Lous ...... i usually turn the key to on and pump the gas 3 times and that works fine for me.

Might be that way with a Camaro.
Not sure.

My 98 does not have a change oil light. Must be something that came out in 2000.

My 98 does not have a change oil light. Must be something that came out in 2000.

Camaros got oil change lights in 1999.

Cool i hadnt heard of that one Mr. Lous ...... i usually turn the key to on and pump the gas 3 times and that works fine for me.

I've heard thats how to reset it on grand am's ... hasn't came on in my trans am yet though, so I can't comment on that ... maybe they programed 2 ways to reset it ...

so do you go by the light or mileage to determin when you need an oil change? Just idle curiosity.

The light is meant for people who wouldn't change thier oil regularly. Without that light in thier face some people might not ever change the oil in thier car. Just go by the mileage.

Camaros got oil change lights in 1999.

Wow, my '88 Cougar had it, but then again, it was "state of the art" for it's time. :dunno:

Damn I miss that car.

I've heard thats how to reset it on grand am's ... hasn't came on in my trans am yet though, so I can't comment on that ... maybe they programed 2 ways to reset it ...
My '01 Grand Am GT uses a reset button located near the in-cab fuses.
Key 'on' car off, press once, release, then press again for 10 seconds. Or something similiar.

My 03 grand am is the same way, you should hear a chime when its reset.