change oil soon

[PA93]

hello!I have PA 1993 w/o sc - I've changed oil about 7-8 months ago, have driven about 2500 miles since then (winter driving, city&out) - since last week 'change oil soon' stays on after start - why?shall I reset oil life monitor or change the oil?Since last chage it runs on 15w50 Valvoline mineral oil.Engine runs perfect.

[HotZ28]

Yes, change the oil! 7-8 months (especially through the winter) is a long time between changes, regardless of miles driven.

[Loekee75]

That light will come on before 3,000 miles if the system detects that you have been driving under "extreme" conditions, so as hotz28 said, change it!

[benEzra]

Believe it. The computer monitors temperature, cold starts, throttle position, RPM, yadda yadda yadda and runs it through an industry-leading algorithm to determine the state of the oil. If you are doing mostly highway driving in mild weather, it will go much more than 3000 miles. If you are doing a lot of cold starts in the winter, or driving it hard, the computer will tell you to change the oil sooner.

IMHO, changing the oil is cheap insurance against early engine failure...engines are expensive...

BTW, how cold does it get in your area? Cold winter starts with 15W50 might be hard on the engine.

[edogg2000]

I have the same issue and just changed my oil. However, the light continues to stay on approx. 1-2 minutes after I start the vehicle. Any way to reset it?

[benEzra]

Originally Posted by edogg2000

I have the same issue and just changed my oil. However, the light continues to stay on approx. 1-2 minutes after I start the vehicle. Any way to reset it?

On my car, the "reset" button for the trip computer resets the oil life monitor (switch to the oil monitor on the display, and then hold down Reset until it clears). On a car without a trip computer, I'm not sure how you'd reset it, but it's bound to be in the owner's manual.

Here's how to reset it on a '99 Grand Am, anyway:

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/sh...s=&threadid=92

To reset the light, open the driver's side fuse panel cover. Turn the key to "on", but do not start the car. Wait for most of the warning lights to go out, then press the red RESET button in the center of the fuse panel. The "Change Oil" light should flash. Then, press and hold the RESET button until the car chimes. Then, turn the key back to "off", and replace the fuse panel cover. You're done.

If that fails to turn off the light, turn the key to "On" once again without starting the car. Press the gas pedal to the floor 3 times in succession, then turn the key to "off". That should reset the light.

There is more interesting info on the system at that site.

[bedpan]

Yes, change the oil!
These indicators are surprisingly accurate. With petroleum oil the light will go on close to 3000 miles.
I have been using synthetic oil for extended drains and the indicator is right on the money at about 7000 miles. So it's not just a gimmick to get you into the dealer to change your oil, it really does determine the oils condition and you should take it's warning very seriously.