How to tell if I have an Oil Life System?


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How to tell if I have an Oil Life System?

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tatankasa
New User

Jul 24, 2016, 1:44 PM

Post #1 of 3 (1734 views)

How to tell if I have an Oil Life System?	Sign In

I have a 2001 Buick Century Custom, left to me by my grandfather. I was getting ready to do an oil change based on km when I noticed the manual indicated it may or may not be equipped with a GM Oil Life System which will apparently tell me more accurately if the oil needs to be changed. I'd like to know if it has it or not. I believe I could figure it out by trying to reset the Oil Life System and see if the light 'change oil' light flashes. Or I could just wait and see if it comes on on it's own ;) But I was hoping someone might know another way to check? A component to look for under the hood maybe?

I'm sure someone will suggest that I forget about the Oil Life System and just change the oil after x km, but I'd still like to know if there's a way to tell. Thanks for any info!!!

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 24, 2016, 2:11 PM

Post #2 of 3 (1729 views)

Re: How to tell if I have an Oil Life System?	Sign In

Can't say if it does or doesn't have that. Just do the right thing if this car is real nice I still just change oil and filer, grease everything every 3 Mo., or 3,000/5,000Kms. If unusually fast to accumulate kilometers or real slow for myself will up the time but not the miles too much.

In general with any and at some age now. Check you own oil by dipstick no matter if it has an early warning to check it not just a warning of way below spec oil pressure, many come on if level is so low engine is about to be junk in seconds!

Start a history on this car if you don't have one,

T

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 24, 2016, 2:27 PM

Post #3 of 3 (1725 views)

Re: How to tell if I have an Oil Life System?	Sign In

If you like your car you really you really shouldn't follow their intervals. Their oil change intervals stretch things to limits that are not favorable to extended engine life. 3 to 5K should be the maximum between oil changes. Use your own lube stickers to track oil changes.

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