I just got back my Blackstone analysis and it looks like the on board indicator (computer that says life remaining) gave a pretty close indication of how much farther I could have run the oil.So I been wondering if there is any way the computer figures the numbers based on the type of oil you are running. What if I stop in at Kooter's quick change and he dumps some bulk stuff in there that has been refiltered and did not have the additive package updated. Will the computer give the same indication as if I had Motorcraft branded stuff in there?My guess is that it will.Anyone know the answer?

Dave H M wrote:I just got back my Blackstone analysis and it looks like the on board indicator (computer that says life remaining) gave a pretty close indication of how much farther I could have run the oil.So I been wondering if there is any way the computer figures the numbers based on the type of oil you are running. What if I stop in at Kooter's quick change and he dumps some bulk stuff in there that has been refiltered and did not have the additive package updated. Will the computer give the same indication as if I had Motorcraft branded stuff in there?My guess is that it will.Anyone know the answer?Your thinking is correct.... BUT in every test that I have seen, the factory OLM has been proven to be VERY conservative. And these are on forums where they posted the actual Blackstone reports.Just use a quality oil in your expensive truck, and follow the OLM.

I think the OLMs vary by manufacturers. My friends Camry simply has the light come on every 3,500 miles. My vehicles indicate an oil change is due at different milage intervals depending on the type of driving I've been doing. I'm not sure if any OLM has the ability to detect the quality of oil you've used. Huntindog's advice is sound; use a quality oil to protect that expensive vehicle and follow the OLM. You can't go wrong!

Some OLMs simply track miles driven, others look at various parameters from the powertrain computer and adjust the life based on the duty cycle of the engine.None of them, AFAIK, measure the "quality" of the oil.I use a local VIOC for my oil changes. I bring my own oil, so there's no doubt what's going in my engine.

Use the OLM. I hope you get at least 10,000 miles on an oil change.And no, the OLM does not analyze the oil. Put the good stuff in.Don't forget to check the oil level and top off as needed....

Oil Change Interval Thoughts | Good Sam Community

Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Dec 11, 2014
Dave,

When employed as a consultant to several OEs, I did some work on OLM systems. Even without knowing which yours actually is, I can tell you that it does not actually know the quality of the oil fill. They count on your using lube oil that meets at least their minimum requirements as listed in the owner's manual.

Some systems only count accumulated mileage. Some track other things like cold start count and total fuel consumed. I'm sure that they have gotten even smarter.

The smartest thing your did was go to Blackstone.

Matt
time2roll
Nomad
Dec 11, 2014
Use the OLM. I hope you get at least 10,000 miles on an oil change.

And no, the OLM does not analyze the oil. Put the good stuff in.
Don't forget to check the oil level and top off as needed....
intheburbs
Explorer
Dec 11, 2014
Some OLMs simply track miles driven, others look at various parameters from the powertrain computer and adjust the life based on the duty cycle of the engine.

None of them, AFAIK, measure the "quality" of the oil.

I use a local VIOC for my oil changes. I bring my own oil, so there's no doubt what's going in my engine.
jfkmk
Explorer
Dec 11, 2014
I think the OLMs vary by manufacturers. My friends Camry simply has the light come on every 3,500 miles. My vehicles indicate an oil change is due at different milage intervals depending on the type of driving I've been doing. I'm not sure if any OLM has the ability to detect the quality of oil you've used.

Huntindog's advice is sound; use a quality oil to protect that expensive vehicle and follow the OLM. You can't go wrong!
Huntindog
Explorer
Dec 11, 2014
Dave H M wrote:
I just got back my Blackstone analysis and it looks like the on board indicator (computer that says life remaining) gave a pretty close indication of how much farther I could have run the oil.

So I been wondering if there is any way the computer figures the numbers based on the type of oil you are running. What if I stop in at Kooter's quick change and he dumps some bulk stuff in there that has been refiltered and did not have the additive package updated. Will the computer give the same indication as if I had Motorcraft branded stuff in there?

My guess is that it will.

Anyone know the answer?

Your thinking is correct.... BUT in every test that I have seen, the factory OLM has been proven to be VERY conservative. And these are on forums where they posted the actual Blackstone reports.

Just use a quality oil in your expensive truck, and follow the OLM.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Dec 11, 2014
I'd agree

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