"Replace engine oil soon" - even after resetting it!

[GregV8]

It's a V8. Changed the oil about 5,000 kms ago. Now it says engine oil life 0% or something. Then I went in the menu and reset the oil life counter. Yet, every time I start the car it tells me to replace oil soon.
Here in Europe we only use synthetic and recommended cycle is every 15,000 kms. Even the maintenance book tells me so.
Looked at the oil, it's on max (did not burn a drop of it!) and VERY clean. I see no reason to change. (an oil change will cost me over 100 bucks here!!)

Do you guys know how the oil life is calculated?

thx

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Oil life is calculated by engine run time, throttle position, engine cycles, miles driven, etc. Things that can be measured with OBDII sensors. Contamination can't be sensed by the system.

The oil life calculator is designed for conventional oil, not full synthetic. People run synthetic for varying durations, its a matter of personal preference. I'd reset your oil life system as if you changed the oil, keep track of your mileage and change it at an interval you determine.

 

[Essex4x4]

Oil life is calculated by engine run time, throttle position, engine cycles, miles driven, etc. Things that can be measured with OBDII sensors. Contamination can't be sensed by the system.

The oil life calculator is designed for conventional oil, not full synthetic. People run synthetic for varying durations, its a matter of personal preference. I'd reset your oil life system as if you changed the oil, keep track of your mileage and change it at an interval you determine.

Wrong!:thumbdwn: The newer explorers have an oil life % indicator which is based off of miles driven alone, it has nothing to do with weather or not the oil needs to be replaced. You can go to a ford dealer and have them reset the oil life indicator so that it goes to 0% after 15,000km

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Well, that sucks. My wife's POS GM has the oil life meter that works like I described.

 

[Essex4x4]

Well, that sucks. My wife's POS GM has the oil life meter that works like I described.

I completely and totaly agree, the only way i really know to change my oil is by pulling the dipstick and checking the level and color. After all its not like the computer in our Exs has a brain.

 

[jrford]

On my '04 its a settable setting. Its in the Owners manual (i think) i'll try and find out how to set it. For mine factory was 5,000 miles. I was able to reset it to 4,000 miles.
You have to select then confirm with a hold to reset back to 100%. Last time Key on engine off then hit the system button. Sometimes it takes two times to clear it or get the right sequence.