Oil reminder at 3,500 miles normal?

[NCDriver]

Is this normal? I don’t drive my truck hard. Don’t tow anything. Occasionally I carry stuff in the bed on weekends, but nothing excessive. Or is it most likely the dealer did not reset the oil life after changing my oil?

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[UGADawg96]

What was the mileage when it was last changed? When was that?

 

[NCDriver]

It was last changed at 11,000 and says it is due at 16,000, but went off at 14,500. Prior to that it was changed at 6,000.

Thought oil was good in this truck for 7,500-10,000 but I intend to change it every 5,000.

 

[Rinn69]

What date was the last oil change. The reminder will notify you at 1 year regardless of mileage.

 

[tidefan1967]

Lots of short trips will definitely set it off early.

 

[Kanuck]

I would go by how black the oil is on the dipstick and / or the mileage. Oil change is cheap, a motor is not. I go by the odometer. Change every 8,000 km. or 5,000 miles or how black the oil looks when I check it.

 

[tsigwing]

I would go by how black the oil is on the dipstick and / or the mileage. Oil change is cheap, a motor is not. I go by the odometer. Change every 8,000 km. or 5,000 miles or how black the oil looks when I check it.

Color of oil means basically nothing.

 

[Kanuck]

Color of oil means basically nothing.

I know...but if it is black..I would change it...cheap insurance.

 

[Vater]

Color of oil means basically nothing.

Really? Do enlighten us on this.

 

[tsigwing]

Really? Do enlighten us on this.

https://blog.amsoil.com/how-motor-oil-color-affects-performance-hint-it-doesnt/





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Absent oil analysis, it’s best to follow the oil-change recommendations in your vehicle owner’s manual or on the motor oil label.

 

[Kanuck]

No sure, but what you spend on oil analysis would cover an oil change does it not?

My rule of thumb...if it is real black.... I change it.

 

[Probity]

"Normal" is relative only to your driving regimen. In my 2012 F250 my oil life monitor once told me after ~2500 miles I needed to change the oil. But that was after being stuck in an epic I-10 traffic jam between Houston and Beaumont in August, 6+ hours of engine idling and running the A/C in high heat/humidity.

Without knowing your OCI timing (days/months), idle hours, % of time engine wasn't at 'normal' operating temps, hard to define your 'normal'.

 

[Rossi6998]

It is my understanding, short trips, long idling, hard accelerations, etc. will cause your oil life monitor to go off earlier than expected. 3,500 miles does seem shorter than normal to me, but something you are doing is telling you to change your oil. Personally, I would change the oil and not worry about it. IMHO, it's inexpensive insurance ($40-$45) if you are able to change the oil yourself.

 

[tsigwing]

No sure, but what you spend on oil analysis would cover an oil change does it not?

My rule of thumb...if it is real black.... I change it.

We were discussing the color of oil and its meaning, not the cost to change it.

 

[Kanuck]

We were discussing the color of oil and its meaning, not the cost to change it.

Why bother with an analysis...if it is dark black...change it.

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