Oil-life monitoring systems (OLMS) have become more
common in the last decade. The goal of an OLMS is to increase engine oil
drain intervals without risk to the key components the oil is
lubricating, which is similar to one of the main goals of used-oil
analysis. But that’s where the similarities end – with the objective.
Since most new cars come equipped with some type of OLMS that can
directly contradict AMSOIL-warranted extended drain interval
recommendations, I want to go over how the systems are designed, how
they function and what you need to know when it comes to extending oil
drain intervals.
An OLMS takes no direct measurement of oil viscosity,
which is critical in estimating oil life, nor does it measure TBN to
gauge how much detergent is left to fight acidic combustion by-products.
There also is no on-board $50,000 gauge to measure the oxidation level
of the oil. If your OLMS actually monitored the properties of your oil,
you would not be able to simply press a couple buttons and reset your
OLMS to 100 percent oil life. If you are from Missouri and need to test
this fact, try it before your next oil change.
So is your OLMS useless? Not exactly. These systems are
getting better and do a decent job of convincing drivers to extend oil
drain intervals, helping to break the outdated and wasteful practice of
changing oil every 3,000 miles. But an OLMS cannot tell the difference
between a high-quality synthetic oil and a run-of-the-mill conventional
oil. The first oil monitors were mileage based and provided outdated
mileage options such as 3,000 or 5,000 miles. Some cars are still
equipped with these mileage-based indicators.
Algorithm-based monitoring systems are engineered with
an understanding of how temperature and load affect oil integrity;
extreme temperatures and engine load are known to shorten oil life. For
example, the GM OLMS penalizes estimated oil life when the engine is
driven in very cold conditions or when the engine is extremely hot.
GM claims most drivers will be able to achieve between
7,500- and 8,500- mile intervals; however, some drivers could see longer
intervals if their driving conditions permit. GM says the GM OLMS
automatically adjusts the interval based on engine characteristics,
driving habits and climate. GM also claims the use of synthetic oil does
not extend drain intervals, but does acknowledge using synthetic motor
oil may provide some benefits.
Many 2011 Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles use an
algorithm-based system called the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor™ (IOLM).
Ford claims the IOLM can provide oil drain intervals of up to 10,000
miles, depending on driving conditions. The Ford IOLM monitors driving
conditions such as engine speed and load, oil and coolant temperature,
hours of operation, hours of idle time and the cleaning cycle for diesel
particulate filters, if equipped. Ford engines are tested using
Motorcraft® synthetic-blend oils. The IOLM algorithm is entirely
software based, meaning it does not monitor the oil’s direct chemical or
physical quality. Other Ford vehicles are equipped with a system that
does not gather operating data to calculate oil life; it simply signals
an oil change is necessary every 10,000 miles or one year.
Despite the technological advances and sophistication of
the newer on-board oil-monitoring systems, they are still a predictive
model and cannot directly measure key used oil properties nor
differentiate between a high-end synthetic motor oil and an entry-level
conventional product. AMSOIL developed
Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil
and confirmed its performance in field trials with used-oil analysis. We
used vehicles from several different manufacturers and ran them in the
harshest environments we could find; all so you can sleep well at night
when your OLMS says you need an oil change and you don’t plan on doing
so until next spring.
T's Advanced Synthetics
Greg and Marcy Thurman
Your Nationwide
AMSOIL
Authorized Independent
Dealer
Nationwide US Warehouses,
Canada and Palm Harbor, FL
727-798-8552
E-Mail:
greg@tsadvancedsynthetics.com
If you
experience problems or have questions or comments about
our website please email us at
greg@tsadvancedsynthetics.com
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