oil change

[sdpapet]

The sticker on my windshield give me the suggestive date and mileage. The date will be due the end of April, but there is still 2000 miles ahead.

This is always confused me. Should I follow the date or mileage. I want to follow the mileage. Since I don't drive a lot, it might take couple months to reach the mileage. Is the good for the car if the old oil in the car too long.

Thanks.

 

[Maddmatts]

Most GM vehicles, including the Sonic, come with an oil life monitor which will show an approximate % of oil life remaining. It's pretty safe to follow especially if you have the 1.8 engine and will give a warning if the % gets low. Your gauge cluster will say "Code 82" when that happens.

To see the Oil life monitor, your car must be in park/neutral and the key in the run position. Press the menu button on the turn signal stalk until you see the percentage.

The 1.4T engine will benefit from more frequent oil changes, especially if using regular oil.

 

[sdpapet]

Most GM vehicles, including the Sonic, come with an oil life monitor which will show an approximate % of oil life remaining. It's pretty safe to follow especially if you have the 1.8 engine and will give a warning if the % gets low. Your gauge cluster will say "Code 82" when that happens.

To see the Oil life monitor, your car must be in park/neutral and the key in the run position. Press the menu button on the turn signal stalk until you see the percentage.

The 1.4T engine will benefit from more frequent oil changes, especially if using regular oil.

Thanks, I am 1.8 engine. So, I should just wait "Code 82" pop-up? or I should wait the percentage like 30%.

 

[CrimsonKarma]

Thanks, I am 1.8 engine. So, I should just wait "Code 82" pop-up? or I should wait the percentage like 30%.

I run a 2015 1.4T. The dealership told me to wait until it was 10% or less before they can change it. But i try not to let it get past 4k miles in between oil changes. Using the oil life meter, its at about 27%-30% around the time of my change.

I would also note that i drive a minimum of 300 miles a week, that is just too and from work. (In traffic for about 45 min each way)
Not including personal trips. So i do put a lot of mileage on it..

Not to drag on but....
Got it in May 7th 2016 with 11,309
as of today 4/18/2017 i'm at 41,199

 

[eggsalad]

I just wait until it's 2-3%. Don't care how many miles that is, but it's usually 7500-8000.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

I try to do my oil changes between 5000-7000 miles on our 1.8. Also, for oil changes, I find that for me, going to meineke in town works well. 35 dollars plus taxes, so 38-40 gets me a semi synthetic oil change, I think they said they use Havoline. But oil change, and tire rotation is free. Also, they have a rewards program, so after so much service you get stuff, like for example, I did 3-4 oil changes and my last oil change was free. Worked perfectly as our ford focus was in need of one at the time as well.

 

[sdpapet]

I just checked, it shows 91%. It might take another six months to reach 30%. Well, I was wondering if there is any problem. For example, the old oil stays there too long. Or I should get fresh engine oil.

 

[VDrums2112]

My '15 LT does not show a percentage of oil life remaining. It simply says "CHANGE" when it's time. Is the percentage display only on the LTZ and up?

 

[acamacho104]

I'm not here to tell people what to do, but some of you may be wasting money or simply just doing the wrong things. If you read your owner's manual you will see that Chevrolet recommends 7,500 miles. You should also be using DEXOS 1(Mobil 1 and Penzoil make Dexos 1 certified oils), which is a synthetic oil, and rotating tires EVERY oil change.

The 7,500 miles is a suggestion. Some people can go more than 7500 miles according to their oil life indicated in the DIC. You should NEVER go more than 7,500. Less than 5,000 miles on full synthetic and you're kind of wasting money. My shop recommends you change the oil when the life is indicated at 20% or less. My experience is that it is somewhere between 5,000 and 7,500 miles.

As far as time, the sticker is just trying to get you to come in and spend money more frequently. In regards to time the owners manual states that you MUST change the oil at least once a year. Other than that the mileage is the requirement.

This is what we go over with our customers when discussing service during the delivery of their new cars. I show them where it is in the OM. (Page 301, 294, 221, 223, if you are looking at the 2017 OM)

 

[acamacho104]

My '15 LT does not show a percentage of oil life remaining. It simply says "CHANGE" when it's time. Is the percentage display only on the LTZ and up?

Your 15 LT should show it when you go through the menu. But I could be mistaken. I know my '12 LT showed it.

 

[VDrums2112]

Your 15 LT should show it when you go through the menu. But I could be mistaken. I know my '12 LT showed it.

The only thing the MENU button on my Sonic seems to do is clear the message the DIC displays after either a Tire Pressure Warning or the %CHANGE oil warning. Pressing the MENU button otherwise with the vehicle stopped or moving does nothing.

 

[Maddmatts]

Manual transmission? It might need the parking brake applied and/or brake pedal pressed and held. All I know is that with the auto's, the menu is locked out whenever it's in gear.

The 2012 owners manual doesn't specify any limitations. Maybe it's been amended for later years?

 

[CAMARO-TECH]

I use to work at a GM dealer for eight years. I never trusted the oil life indicator due to it does not distinguish the amount of carbon build up for loss of oil from normal driving. I prefer to change oil every year 4,000 miles ( synthetic or blend ). More oil changes, happier engine. Make sure you check your oil level each month and add if necessary. ICE do burn oil no matter what.

 

[lkz6678]

I have a 2013 LS and the code 82 is on. My car didn't come with an owners manual and the only manual I have is a PDF that I downloaded from the Chevrolet web site.
I've tried everything and I can't find the "Remaining Oil Life" display. The manual I have just says "Press the MENU button to show remaining oil life".
When I press the MENU button all I get is Tire Learn and Miles until empty.
I have tried with the key in every position, engine on, engine off, in gear, not in gear, brake on/off, parking brake on/off, but nothing works.

This is ridiculous but I guess I have to go to the dealership to get them to turn off the code 82 and I'm sure they'll charge me.

 

[Maddmatts]

When I press the MENU button all I get is Tire Learn...

Go back to this exact point and rotate the ring on the stalk one way or the other a few times until you see the oil life monitor. You should also see options for language and unit (metric/imperial) settings.

Once you see the monitor, pressing and holding the button on the end of the stalk will reset it to 100%.

 

[lkz6678]

Go back to this exact point and rotate the ring on the stalk one way or the other a few times until you see the oil life monitor. You should also see options for language and unit (metric/imperial) settings.

Once you see the monitor, pressing and holding the button on the end of the stalk will reset it to 100%.

Thanks I found it and reset it!

 

[Tweaterben]

10,000+ mile oil changes

Ok, so I am seeing people getting between 5-8K miles on their oil changes before the Code 82 pops up. My last 2 oil changes have went over 10k miles before needing to be changed. Fault in my OLMS, or are people just driving a lot harder in harsher climates than I am?

 

[6speedti]

I have a 2015 1.4 turbo. I change my oil every 5,000 miles.
Only once I let it get to the oil change message which popped up at 7,500 miles. What's a code 82? I don't recall getting one when I let the oil go until the computer displayed the message to change it.

 

[suitcasejefferson]

I am a professional auto mechanic with 36 years experience. I HIGHLY recommend oil be changed every 3000 miles, or once every 6 months, regardless of what the maintenance schedule says. Use the odometer. Pay no attention to the oil change monitor. The maintenance schedule for newer cars was written by the EPA, and they don't give a rat's ass about your engine. I recommend full synthetic oil in the Sonic. Walmart SuperTech full synthetic 5w30 is fine. Frequent oil changes are especially important on the 1.4 turbo. It spins at 50,000 rpm, and needs the best lubrication it can get. Warming your car up for 5 minutes at idle before taking off and changing the oil every 3000 miles will drastically increase engine longevity.

 

[6speedti]

I change every 5,000 miles. I use full synthetic. Usually Mobil 1 extended. I noticed on my 2015, 1.4t with manual transmission the oil gets dirty very quick. Since it's a boosted engine I'm figuring it's blow by from the boost so carbon deposits are accumulating at a higher rate. Oil consumption is not an issue. I don't wait for the change oil message. 7,500 miles my oil is black. Did it once, never again. If your a DIYer you know how easy the oil change is on a 1.4t engine. If your cost conscious or just cheap then that's another thing.