[IYAS9YAS]

I want to ask you a question about oil changes. The computer on my Chevy Spark dwindles down oil life remaining too fast in my opinion. When it is down to 0% oil life left according to the car’s computer, I look at the oil dipstick and the oil looks clear and without any carbon and without any burnt oil smell. That was my method in the old days before we had computers telling us when to change the oil. Now that my 3 year-36K miles warranty is expired, my question is, am I doing the wrong thing by postponing oil change?

It really depends on your driving. I used to put about 5,000 miles a year on my car with a relatively short commute. So I would change the oil twice a year regardless. My wife drives fewer miles than that, but a year seemed like too long to go. She's a really short drive user. Less than five miles round trip. So even though mileage-wise with the van, I could change it yearly with synthetic, I change it every six months due to the way her car is driven.

Does your dealer reset the oil life indicator when they change it? If not, you should be able to. It would be in the manual.

[entropy12]

Thank you for your input. Yes, the dealer resets oil life number and tops off any fluids if needed, rotates the tires upon request, checks condition of belts and battery, washes the car. I guess they are looking for me to buy next car there. Occasionally I will go to a Cadillac dealer for oil change, they do all of above plus a custom ordered breakfast on the house free and it is pretty good, but they always want to replace my cabin air filter or other filters or wipers, clean fuel injectors etc. Also the cost of oil change is more. Last time I was there it ended up costing me $400 LOL but we were going on a long 12,000 mile round trip from FL to WA state, then stop in Arizona to see relatives and back to FL. So I wanted the car in tip top shape.