Oil Life monitors-synthetic oil-question for f5fstop

[Malibu1]

F5fstop, I have been following different discusssions you have had about the oil life monitoring system (OLM for short here) What I don't remember is are all the calculations/algorithms based on using regular dino oil in the engine? I plan on switching to synthetic at the first oil change and using the OLM as to when to change it again, just want to make sure the OLM will calculate correctly due to synthetic being in the engiine.

thanks as always

[f5fstop]

Will it be accurate when switching to synthetic oil? No, but the error is on the side of good. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif The system cannot determine the grade or type of oil, this information is programmed into the algorithms of the program. So, the program is set up for the use of oil that meets or exceeds the oil specified for the H3.
The spec for the H3 is GM6094M, and is not as stringent as GM4718M, the spec for syn ethic oil. So, if you use a better spec'ed oil, the indicator will not be accurate, but if it says you have 30% left, it will more likely be 40% (this is not an exact number).
So, there is no problem using any oil that meets and exceeds the GM spec required for the engine in the H3. For example, Mobil 1 states it meets 4718M, which is a higher spec than 6094M. In fact, the owner's manual for the H3 states that under certain conditions (< -20 degrees F), the use of a synthetic oil is recommended.
The big problem would be using oil that does not meet or exceed the spec, and then relying on the monitoring system.
Example would be on a Vette, which is programmed for synthetic oil, and someone decides to save money and put in the oil spec required for a H3.
Since synthetic oil degrades slower than regular oil, the oil life monitor system on a Vette may display 30%, but the actual oil life might be 20%.

[Chip]

What would be the service interval with syn oil. I'm doing 4000 miles, but I use it a lot off road.

[Malibu1]

off road has nothing to do with oil change intervals. Make sure you keep your air filter fresh though.

If you are using a quality synthetic like AMSOIL or MOBIL 1, you can extend intervals to AT LEAST 10,000 miles between oil changes, providing you are using a quality oil filter too. Of course, I highly recommend having oil analysis done also so you really know what is going on inside the engine. Oil change intervals can be extended to 15,000, 20,000 and 25,000 miles providing the performed oil analysis proves that it is OK to do that.

[f5fstop]

Originally posted by Malibu1:
off road has nothing to do with oil change intervals. Make sure you keep your air filter fresh though.

If you are using a quality synthetic like AMSOIL or MOBIL 1, you can extend intervals to AT LEAST 10,000 miles between oil changes, providing you are using a quality oil filter too. Of course, I highly recommend having oil analysis done also so you really know what is going on inside the engine. Oil change intervals can be extended to 15,000, 20,000 and 25,000 miles providing the performed oil analysis proves that it is OK to do that.

True, but brings up a good point for those using K&N filters. The system assumes you are using a paper air filter, and the engine is sealed against dirt as from the factory. Therefore, the use of a K&N filter will not be noted by the computer, and K&N, as all oil foam type filters, allows more dirt to pass into the engine.

[Steve - SanJose]

As good as the oil monitoring system is on the H3, it does not have artificial intellegence yet.

S.