Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has the Engine Oil Life System,
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 OIL SOON message
will come on. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 147. Change the 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 retailer has trained service people who will
perform this work using genuine Saturn parts and
reset the system. It is also important to check your
oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the 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 OIL SOON
message being turned on, reset the system.
250