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Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you
must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A change engine oil light will come on, or, if
your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC), a
CHANGE ENGINE OIL message will come. See Change
Engine Oil Light on page 3-46 or DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-54. Change your oil as soon
as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is
possible that, if you are driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an
oil change is necessary for over a year. However,
the engine oil and filter must be changed at least once
a year and at this time the system must be reset.
Your dealer has GM-trained people who will perform
this work using genuine GM parts and reset the system.
It is also important to check the oil regularly and keep
it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last
oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use.
Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
change engine oil light or CHANGE ENGINE OIL
message being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the Engine Oil Life System, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal slowly
three times within five seconds.
3. Turn the key to LOCK.
If the light/message comes back on when you start the
vehicle, the engine oil life system has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.
For vehicles with the Driver Information Center, see
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-50 to reset
the system.
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