When to Oil Change my SV6

[CanadaRob]

Hi,

Can anyone comment on when to change the oil in my 2005 Montana SV6.

Allow me to explain...

The computer on this van monitors the oil and indicates on the dash as a percentage of oil life left. I purchased the van new and had the first oil change when the indicator said I had 8% oil life left. This occured at 8700 kilometers. The dealer didn't say anything regarding the oil life left but when I picked the van up after the oil change, the sticker that the shop put on the vehical to remind of next oil change was calculated at 5000 kilometers so the sticker says I should change oil next at 13700 km when according to the dash, I could probally carry it to at least 17000 km.

Question is - what indicator do I go by? The van or the dealer sticker?

Am I pushing the oil life by following the vans computer and risking damage? Any thoughts would be apprieciated.

Regards,
Canada Rob

[gls02]

I use the Oil Life Monitor for my Silhouette. I have driven 6k miles between oil changes and I have about 15% life left on the monitor. If you believe that todays engine oil can't handle 6k miles and you feel safer going the standard 3k or 3 months, then just do the shorter oil change route.

I believe that 3k miles is too soon to change your oil and you are just wasting your money. I never have changed my oil at 3k miles and all of my vehicles have gone over 100k miles without any problems.

The Oil Life Monitor makes more sense since it keep track of the engine temp, outside temp and engine revolutions to calculate oil life left.

[GTP Dad]

I have to agree with the Oil life monitor. It will give you a better guage of the oil's life than just changing the oil every 5000Km. I rely on the monitor in my GTP. It usually is pretty accuate and I don't waste money on additional oil changes.

[tmorris1]

The only way to tell is to run it until the oil monitor goes off and then take an oil sample and send it in for analysis. It costs about $20, but at least you will know what shape the oil is in with that many miles. It will show how long you can safely go. The analysis can also show traces of coolant to head off the dreaded intake manifold leak before it destroys your engine. Oils are all pretty good today and I think GM knows what they are doing with the oil life monitors.