My oil life is at 15%. I don’t get paid until Friday, which is in 2 days. Will it be okay to drive my van until then?
Easily.
You have weeks, not just days.
Your car might explode. Stick to under 25 mph. /s
Even if it was at 0%, you’d probably still be fine. These systems often work off elapsed time since the last oil change. I’ve driven my 2018 CRV for 1,500 miles and the oil life dropped to 10%, but the oil still looked new. I think sometimes it’s just a way to get you back to the dealer. While you’re under warranty, follow it, but once that ends, just use common sense. Other cars, like my Jeep, base it strictly on miles driven.
@Sage
Not exactly true. Newer models factor in time, but they also consider things like engine temperature, run time, RPMs, and other factors. The system does err on the cautious side, and it varies a lot. Some NYC drivers might see it drop in 3,000 miles, while others get closer to 10,000. The way oil looks isn’t always a reliable indicator.
@Joss
That 1,500 miles was done over 6 months, mostly on one trip, so I respectfully disagree. Temps were around 60°F, and the car was driven at an average of 65 mph. It seems like the system is more time-based. Leave your car parked for 6 months and watch the oil life drop, even if it’s not being driven.
@Sage
There’s nothing to disagree with; it’s based on a combination of factors. That’s just how the system is designed.
Each 1% of oil life equals about 75 miles, so you’ve got around 1,125 miles left until 0%. Even then, you’ll be fine. Just get the oil changed when it’s convenient.
Jordan said:
Each 1% of oil life equals about 75 miles, so you’ve got around 1,125 miles left until 0%. Even then, you’ll be fine. Just get the oil changed when it’s convenient.
There’s no set mile-percentage ratio. It varies based on driving conditions.
Besides time, the Maintenance Minder (MM) algorithm considers factors like the number of starts, whether the engine was warm or cold, how long it ran, how many hills you climbed, and time spent in each gear. There are folks on Odyclub who go as long as 10,000 miles before seeing 10%, while others in cities like NYC hit that mark in just 3,000-4,000 miles. The MM algorithm is better at judging oil life than the old-school ‘every 3,000 miles’ approach.
OP, you’re fine running it down to 0%. When it hits 15%, it’s just a reminder to start planning your next service.