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2010 T&C Touring 3.8L - Dashboard Alert to change oil, at 5500miles

15K views 21 replies 6 participants last post by  jgbat 
#1 ·
Is that just an automated reminder, or does the engine have sensors that are telling me the oil needs changing, like on my BMW.

If so, why would it need changing at this interval? I had the oil changed at 2900, even though the manual says 6k, cause thats what the dealer told me to do, and they gave me 10 coupons for 15 dollar oil changes for the first 30k miles anyway so why not, its the same cost (half price, 2x as often).

Should I be concerned about this alert? I called the dealer and they just told me to bring it in (of course, what else would they say, lol)
 
#2 ·
A few comments:
  • Your BMW does not have sensors that test the quality of the oil per se, it simply measures the amount of fuel used since the last reset of the OLM system (Oil Life Monitor), and infers the condition of the oil from that.
  • My understanding is that the Chrysler OLM is not quite so sophisticated and it really errs on the side of caution.
  • FWIW, it is my bet that your dealer didn't reset the OLM system in your van when you brought it in for the 2,900 mile oil change and that's why its recommending the change now.
 
#6 ·
If you use your van for short trips or in city driving, the oil change reminder will come on about every 3,000 miles. It does not have sensors. It calculates engine duty cycles, it also calculates some criteria during those engine duty cycles, and makes an estimated guess on when to change the oil based on that data. The light usually comes on the first time around 3,000 miles or so. Seems like they start to lengthen out after that if you use your vehicle for more than just short trips. If you were my customer I'd tell you it's up to you. Your van thinks the oil needs to be changed based on the logic explained above. If you want to wait till it has been 3,000 miles since your last change, that should be ok as well.

FWIW, IMO the first oil change should always be done early. Any metal or grit that has came loose is in that first oil filter. The quicker you get it out, the better. I've only had one new car, a 2007 Ford Focus. I performed the first oil change at 2,000 miles, even though it was not recommended till 5,000.
 
#7 ·
The thing is, I did the first change at 2900, and there was no indicator, now 2600 miles later the light comes on, at 5500, which is when it should come on if the system was never reset after the first change, which is the most likely thing that happened. I'll get it done this week and then I think I'm going to wait for it to come on again or 5k miles, whichever comes first to get it changed. Seems like every 3k is way over kill from what I read in all the other threads on this topic. I'm only keeping the van 3-4 years, so I just want to make sure I keep the warranty valid, 1k before recommended in the manual at the latest will surely do that.
 
#10 ·
Yes. But if it was not on, the person may have not thought to do it.
 
#13 ·
I'm not saying the early first oil change helps anything, but it certainly does not hurt anything. Oil is cheap, and it makes me feel better to do the first change early. It is my opinion (which is exactly what I said in my post) and I make no apologies for it. If I ever buy another brand new vehicle (which I doubt) I will again do the first oil change early.
 
#15 ·
"...but it certainly doesn't hurt anything." Ummm, well assuming you're not talking about one of the many manufacturers that use a special additive to the factory oil that aids in break-in, you may be correct. That said, given that the number of manufacturers that use a special break-in formula is growing (and currently includes Honda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and a few others that I cannot remember off the top of my head), you may well "hurt" something by changing the factory oil out early.
 
#14 ·
All engines are now run on a test platform at the assembly plant, and the oil flows through. In the old day's the owners manual told you to replace the oil at 500 miles, and cars had a special oil filter for that first use period... Now in effect they do that at the plant.

Ya oil's cheap so do your oil and filter changes every 1000 miles. At some point you need to say enough is enough. Most manufactures tell you in the owners manual for normal everyday driving an oil change is needed every 5000 miles. The oil change places push the 3000 miles number. But hey change it every time you drive the car if it makes you feel good.
 
#16 ·
Stop being a butt. Your post is childish. I perform the first oil change early. Not every oil change. And that is exactly what I said. And again, I make no apologies for it.
 
#18 ·
I run full synthetic Mobil 1 and change the oil every 10,000km or 6 months. Anytime the idiot light comes on telling me I need to change my oil, I simply reset it and carry on!

The day oil change sensors actually analyze the oil, will be the day I follow their direction. Otherwise, I see very little use for the algorithm the Grand Caravan currently uses.
 
#19 ·
I couldn't agree more. I've been following the ten to twelve thousand mile oil change interval thing with Mobil 1 for all three of our minivans, and per the UOAs that I've had performed along with the partial tear-down of our 1998 DGC while looking for an elusive coolant leak, all evidence shows that even 10,000 miles is on the conservative side. :)
 
#22 ·
I agree. Not all synthetics are the same. Which is why I use Mobil 1.
 
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