wondering if the oil monitor on a 1994 buick roadmaster estate wagon is a more reliable indicator of when the oil should be changed, than doing it every3000 miles? the owners manual seems to indicate so. any recomendations? thanks..

 

Although the monitor on a '94 is probably not as good as the newer ones, it is still WAY better than estimating change intervals based on mileage. Changing your oil at 3000 miles is, no doubt, safe, but is probably wasting at least half of the oil's usable life. If that's an expense that doesn't bother you, then stay with it. Some people feel that it's "cheap insurance". Most of us feel that, both personally and collectively, we shouldn't waste anything.


The monitor takes into account the conditions the oil has seen as well as the improvements in engines and oil. GM has millions of miles of experience and they know what parameters indicate a change is required. Why not take advantage of it?


The only hesitation I would have is if the engine is very worn and therefore the oil is getting more contaminated than thecomputer expects. But then, you have bigger problems than when to change oil! Edited by: MrBSS

 

MrBSS: thanks for the info on the oil monitor. dhac

 

I have a 2004 CX Rendevous w/ 20K miles on it. I just changed the oil 2K miles ago & my oil sensor light is coming on, do you have to reset this sensor? I've checked the oil & it looks clean & it's full.

 

You have to reset the oil minder when you change the oil! The proceedure varies. On my 2000 Regal with the engine off and the ignition in the on position you press the gas pedal to the floor 3x and the change oil soon light flashes to let you know that it's reset. On my Corvette you simply press the reset button.Check your owners manual.

 

Also, the sensor has a time component, so that it even with very little mileage, it may ask for a change based on months in service.

 

Thanks everyone, I took it in for another oil change & the technician was able to reset it. It took awhile & he doesn't know what he did, kept trying different stuff, but he finally got it off.

 

There are some factors the monitor doesn't take into account such as the quality of your oil and filter. For example, wouldn't you think your oil life is longer if you use a synthetic oil and premium filter, as compared to dino oil and a Fram filter? I thinik Buick's oil monitor only takes into account the engine behavior it can record, like the amount of time idling after a cold start before driving, or amount of freeway driving versus start and stop driving, etc. I run AMSOIL oil, their EaO filter, and a Filtermag on my 2005 LeSaber and have a hard time believing the oil life is already down to 27% according to the monitor and needs to be changed after 5.5 months. I have only 4000 miles since my last oil change. I guess I am saying the monitor helps and certainly can save you some money, but it isn't precise. It still comes down to staying within your comfort levels and defiing what "cheap insurance" means to you.