I have read some differing opinions on how often to change oil. Dealer said to follow computer and not to change oil until car says it is required. I am just wondering at how many miles and how many months you changed your oil.

I've pondering this for a few years as all Cadillacs are supposedly smart enought to tell you when they need an oil change. Nobody has been able to tell me the algorithm the computer uses to determine when it is necessary.

The thing that has been botherning me lately is that whatever it does is probably based upon the flakey computer that can't even do travel distance and mileage with any accuracy at all.

You know you would be safe with just going with some old traditional mileage interval, but you would like to think that automation could help you optimize and minimize the number of planned maintenance outages and cost.

Just changed it yesterday at 4800 miles. Computer said 57% remaining.

Having been nervous for the last 2000 miles, I decided that I was going to change it at about 25% on the computer since Cadillac will warrantee the SRX for 50,000 miles--BUT--

The dealer sent me a letter that they would give me the 1st oil change for $14.95 and since I was planning a trip to FL (2500 miles round trip), I decided to have it changed.

Mechanic, when asked, said that the oil looked pretty good.

Service writer remarked that they took a $60 "bite" on this one! (8 qts @ $7/qt)

After paying $16 (taxes), I left feeling far more comfy than I did before---fresh oil AND saved a bundle!

I think I'll change it at about 50% from now on--just to keep my sanity. My opinion only!

Your opinion is as logical as any I have seen so far. I have 5274 miles and mine says 56% left. If things continued as is I would have bottomed out at something like 11.9K and you would have been around 11.1K (assuming things are linear).

I have a V8 2WDr and drive somewhat aggressively (by that I have seen few expressway entrance ramps that weren't built for full throtte). A lot of my mileag was racked up on a 4,000 mile trip with lots of 80 MPH travel.

Curious as to your driving style and wonder if that would make up for the slight difference. For that matter, the difference might be pretty well explained away if yours was ready to roll to 56% and mine had just gone to 56%.

Has anyone else seen values that would have yielded a results very far away from the 11 to 11.9K range?

We might be able to gather enough data to determine if this oil life left computation is a computation or just anouther counter.

9000 miles - 14% left. Dealer said not to come back until it's 10%. Paid $76 so I figure that's just as well.

Your opinion is as logical as any I have seen so far. I have 5274 miles and mine says 56% left. If things continued as is I would have bottomed out at something like 11.9K and you would have been around 11.1K (assuming things are linear).

I have a V8 2WDr and drive somewhat aggressively (by that I have seen few expressway entrance ramps that weren't built for full throtte). A lot of my mileag was racked up on a 4,000 mile trip with lots of 80 MPH travel.

Curious as to your driving style and wonder if that would make up for the slight difference. For that matter, the difference might be pretty well explained away if yours was ready to roll to 56% and mine had just gone to 56%.

Has anyone else seen values that would have yielded a results very far away from the 11 to 11.9K range?

We might be able to gather enough data to determine if this oil life left computation is a computation or just anouther counter.

We are a V6 AWD @6997 miles and 43% remaining on oil life. Tranny fluid shows 57%. 4,000 + on the highway. Usually do not drive over 75 but do reach for the floor when required on entrance ramp or passing. The V6 is about 2300 RPM @ 70 MPH. In the Smokys did lots of downshifting on the two lane roads. On the interstate the RPM's get up fairly high to hold 70 MPH climbing a 6% grade.

So it would seem if they monitor RPM's as part of the oil life then my V6 should not have as long an oil life as a V8 running at lower RPM. However, based on your 44% left you would be @ 0% @ 11,925 miles, SGILBERT @ 43% would be 11,162, and I will be @ 12,275. Possibly your foot is showing up on the % of oil life left. Based on three cases it is difficult to determine any trend. I have not changed the oil.

So that looks like your V6 would have zeroed out around 10.5K or so. Of course now the question is do the 6 and the 8 have different defaults.

My Service advisor in the dealer told me that I should bring the car in for oil change every 5000 miles or no more than 6000 miles. The dealer is giving my SRX free oil change until manufacturer warranty expire. This baby has 4300 miles and the computer says it is a little over 40% oil life. My 1998 Concours and 2001 Catera computers usually say 50% oil life when there are 3000 miles after each oil change. My Catera has a life time free motor oil change from the dealer. For the Concours, it costs $24 since the warranty expired 2 years ago. I was told the oil used in SRX is a better oil and it will last longer.

So that looks like your V6 would have zeroed out around 10.5K or so. Of course now the question is do the 6 and the 8 have different defaults.
No, I would zero at about 12,275. If I have 43% left then the 6997 must be 57% of the miles one would hit for an oil change or about 12,275.
Or is my math wrong??

I guess 100 - 43 really isnt 67 is it. Duhhhhh

I rely entirely on my Mercedes' computer to tell me when to change my oil, however there's a class action suit against MB because of sludge build up and one of the blames is too infrequent oil changes (it resets to 10,000 miles after each oil change, but with a lot of highway drviing, it's more like 12-13K before it gets to zero) that's OK, I no longer have much regard for my krautwagon and will trade it at the first opportunity - I plan on the SRX getting lubed every 5000-7500 with Mobil One, I'd do 2500 with regular oil - probably too much, but I want to see 6 digits on the odo some day.

Even though the oil life gauge won't be my only guide, it is nice that it can be reset by the owner - MB has me tethered to their overly-overpriced service dept because no one else is allowed to buy the reset tool.

Changed oil (Mobil 1) yesterday @ 4039 miles. $85. @ the dealer! Think I'll change my own oil from now on! :banghead: