how many miles before the oil change light comes on?

i know saturns need frequent oil changes to maximize engine life. but my
2001 SC1 has been working great with synthetic oil and high quality
filters. this winter i used 0w-40 oil and then took a 1000 round trip to
Winnipeg in some pretty harsh conditions. When I got back the oil was
still clean and full. a few weeks later, it still is. when i change the
oil i always push the reset button, but i guess i always change it
before the dash light comes on. but maybe the synthetic oil can last
long enough to depend on the cars computer. i would think that 5000 or
6000 miles might be ok. i'd rather just the oil in december and maybe
not worry about changing it again until early march. i would change it
if the light came on. 0w-40 has worked great in my old honda with 170000
miles and it didn't leak or burn. in extreme cold it lets the engine
smooth out fast.

so does anyone know how many days and/or miles before the change oil
light comes on?

 

I've read the oil change light comes on after a certain amount of starts and
run times is calculated. I would use the Change Oil light as the rule, and
in mine without that feature I stick to the 3 months or 3000 mile change
interval (which because I don't drive a lot ends up being more like 2000
miles for me and my 97SL2).

 

On the '01 L300, As I recall, the manual states that the oil change light
interval is calculated based on number of miles driven and oil temperature.
Higher temp => shorter interval.

Oppie
For valid response address, remove the '1' following oppie
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| so does anyone know how many days and/or miles before the change oil
| light comes on?
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I have seen from about 3500 to 8500 miles, for the light to go on. But I
drive mostly highway and longer trips than most poeple.

 

2001 L300 V6

Approx 7,000 miles w/Mobil 1 5W30 commuting about 15mi each way.

 

so does anyone know how many days and/or miles before the change oil
I didn`t even know there was a change oil light on a Saturn. I have a 97 SC2
and have never seen it come on. Does it show up on the instrument pannel when
you start the car. Maybe I have never seen it because I get the oil changed
every 3 months.....and don`t drive it 3,000 miles between.
Dan

 

The oil change light made its appearance in the '01 L-series. I had a 97
SL2 before my L200 and I had to ask about the light because resetting it was
noted on the work order once when I brought my SL in for an oil change.

 

thanks for the replies. chances are i'll change the oil before the light
comes on. this summer i will try it and see how long it takes and how
much oil needs to be added. it doesn't seem to use any oil now, but i
did add a couple of quarts when i first bought it used 10000 miles ago.
the previous owner, lacy jean, may not have revved up the engine enough
to break it in. i will post the details when the light comes on sometime
this summer.

 

It should vary. My 2001 SL1 turnes on the oil change light at about
5300 miles though I change it more often. I drive 35 miles each way
for work and it is highway all the way.

I change at 3000 since engine is still low mileage.

Wes