Change Engine Oil Light?

Question

I have a 2002 Chevy Impala LS. Does the change engine oil light come on after so many miles?.. or does it depend on how dirty the oil is? (Just wondering.. btw, we're changing the oil/filter this weekend) But I was just wondering what triggers it. Thanks!

jmp omaha- it says CHANGE not CHECK

I don't think anyone understands my question... my car tells me things like, change oil, low tire pressure, etc. It has a little box that says those words.

Answer 1

the cars computer figures out when the oil needs to be changed, it determines this off of how its driven ie; distance of drives, engine temp, abient air temp, engine load, barometric pressure. and pretty acurately determines when the oil will break down and need to be changed. be sure to read in your owners manual how to reset it. if you don't have one e-mail me and ill tell you.

Answer 2

The light is triggered by the car's onboard computer. The PCM.

It keeps track of the miles since the last time the light was reset, and at a certain point (~3000 miles) it will turn on the light. It's mainly to help you remember to get the oil changed.

I could be wrong, but I don't believe that the car has any way to know how dirty the oil is. It may know what the oil temperature is, and it might know if it's low, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't know how dirty the oil is.

How you reset the light, depends on the vehicle. So I can't really tell you how to do that one. On my wife's 2001 Camaro, she had to turn the key on, but not start the car, then hold the trip reset button until the light blinked and turned off. Then she could turn the key off, and then from there start the vehicle as normal.

Answer 3

Yes. Stupid things. For some reason the automakers thought it would be a great idea to put these things in cars. When you reset the light it starts to keep track of how many miles you have gone. Once you hit 3000 miles the light comes on or it will constantly remind you to change the oil. (You should have your oil changed every 3 months or 3000 miles) if you go to an auto parts store and but the Chilton, Mitchell, or Hayes repair book it should tell you how to reset these idiot warnings.

Answer 4

1. Turn on the key, but do not start the motor 2. step on the gas 3 times, all the way to the floor and back off, OK 3. shut off the key Start vehicle and the light should be extinguished Very common for chevy's to do this, but check your owners manual some have a reset button on a fuse box- Friggin strange I know. Quit whining like your car is winning an argument with you about changing the oil. You just don't sound very dignified. Who changed your oil? A competent shop? They should have done this for you and if you have trouble they ought to assist you in the quest to turn off the light

Answer 5

Never heard of a "Change Engine Oil Light". If it's a Check Engine light then yes, it comes on after so many miles. If it's a Check Oil light, then add some oil.

Answer 6

It's the information centre it tells you when your next service is due and things like that, door ajar, tires low, coolant low etc. .Make sure you change you oil and filter every 3-4,000 miles and get a new drain plug each time.

Answer 7

That light means your oil level is DANGEROUSLY low or that the oil pressure is having a major problem. You need to address this immediately. The longer you drive the car in this condition the sooner it goes to the junk heap.

Answer 8

It's Automatic, Every 3000 miles or so.

Answer 9

Yes

Answer 10

its a oil life monitor it monitors the oils viscosity -etc