Change oil light, when I just did under 1K ago

99/3.5GX/95K

Hi gang. I've changed my oil regularly since I bought the Olds 3 years ago. Once before the change oil light came on, but I think that was about around when I was planning to change it anyway.

Tonight I started the car up and the change oil light came on. My immediate reaction was "F-you!" as I just had oil & filter changed maybe 2 months and under 1000 miles ago, with Mobil 1 as always. You know I don't wanna have to pay for that stuff more often than I have to, let alone after less than 1000 miles!

The light stayed on for about a block and then shut off. When I got to my destination I checked the oil and it was a bit low but still looked pretty light in color as always. I was surprised it was low as I've never had the oil consumption/burning problems so many others report. Not even when the oil's been in the car for 3 or more times longer than this change has.

On my way home the light came on again and once again turned off after about a block. I stopped at the gas station and added a quart. Then when I got home, after driving a couple miles, I turned the car off, waited a minute and turned back on. Change oil light again.

The Olds has gotten a bit more highway driving than it's used to lately, but only a couple of short trips, probably only about 300 miles altogether at 70-80mph. I know that shouldn't matter but I've no idea why the light's coming on with fresh oil/filter. The weather was pretty warm today, low 30s.

I donno folks. Just seems odd to me and I'm at a loss to explain it. I always worry that the guys at the garage might keep my mobil 1 and just put the regular crap in or something! I don't have the garage/tools or knowledge to tinker with the modern engines, you know.

Thanks agains!

When you changed the oil 1k miles ago, did you reset the Oil Life Monitor? If not, then reset it using the directions in the manual.

I am seeing exactly the same thing, Though it usually takes more than a block for the light to go out. (See previous posts).

whatever you do: -Do not add more oil if your dipstick is showing the correct engine oil height.

I seldom reset the oil change light. The place that changes my oil doesn't reset it either. -You just get used to it coming on (and then off after 1-2 minutes) at start-up and every 3K-5k I change my oil no matter what. I have reset the oil change light 2wice I think. =I am lazy and am not that computer literate. Same thing for the service engine soon and service vehicle soon indicator lights = I hope they go off. My dad has the OBD2 scanner and I am too lazy and cheap to buy one ~$100. As anyone can see, my life is full of lazyness. -Same for this forum = I am too lazy to really work on my car so I come here hoping it will save me time and effort = Preventative Maintenance is much easier than fixing something especially when it is below freezing right now where I live.

Actually the process is pretty easy:

turn the ignition to the "on" position (don't turn the vehicle on)
push the accelerator down 3 times within 5 seconds
wait 3-5 seconds for the "change oil" light to flash and then stop
turn the key off

Thanks everybody. I'm just wondering; does the change oil light just come on every XXXX number of miles as a reminder, or does it come on because there's a sensor or something monitoring the oil's performance? If it's the former, I know I'm okay, but if my oil, or something else has degraded so quickly that the car wants new oil, I'd be confused as to why.

I believe it is suppose to take into account the number of revolutions in the engine. So if you do mostly highway (l;ike myself), the "change oil" light may not come on until 7000+ miles. If you do a lot of city driving, it will probably be closer to 3000 miles.

IN order for it to work properly, you must reset the oil life monitor after you change the oil. I would guess you are fine. Simply reset the monitor with the instructions above. Since you use synthetic, you may want to change it every 7500 miles.

I believe it is suppose to take into account the number of revolutions in the engine. So if you do mostly highway (l;ike myself), the "change oil" light may not come on until 7000+ miles. If you do a lot of city driving, it will probably be closer to 3000 miles.

IN order for it to work properly, you must reset the oil life monitor after you change the oil. I would guess you are fine. Simply reset the monitor with the instructions above. Since you use synthetic, you may want to change it every 7500 miles.

If you do mostly short trip city driving, you need to change your oil every 6 months or 3000 miles or when the red light comes on (assuming you re-set at oil change). For people who drive mostly highway, i would go to 6 months or 7000 miles or when the red light comes on.

Oil changes are very, very good for the engine. it's gets all that damn sludge out which can plug oil supply lines. Make sure the engine is very hot when you can the oil because when the engine cools some of the sludge hides in the pores of the engine and is only released when the engine is hot.

Today's "regular" oil and synthetic oil are very similar. The regular oil has a lot of synthetic oil in it (and I'm not talking about the ones they market as a semi-synthetic). Basically, all oils labeled SM give fantastic service. So unless you are driving in Fairbanks, AK , same your money. The only place i use synthetic oil is in my small gasoline lawn mower engine

Anybody who thinks that 100% synthetic oil means that they can extend their oil change intervals is making a big mistake.