I have a 2002 Venture LS (bought in Mexico but manufactured in the
US). I'm confused because the owners manual states that oil change
should be performed every 12,500 kilometers (about 7,500 miles), this
was a change from the 2001 model which prescribed it every 5,000 km
(3,000 mi).

My cofusion arises from the built in oil indicator displayed on the
odometer which asks for a change around 5,000 km (just like in the
2001).

I wonder if it is a problem with the programming of the computer or if
this is a real "Oil analyzer" that indicates when the oil is not
longer doing its job.

Thanks for your advice.

BTW. Since the 2002 and 2001 are basically the same car, how can GM
change its oil change interval so dramatically? (no syntetic or other
special requirement is mentioned, just 5W30).

What owners' manual version is that? Most of the GM manuals just say to
change the oil when the oil change light comes on, or every certain number
of months at most.

The 12,500 km figure is probably for non-severe service (ex: mostly highway
driving). The 5000 km interval will be for severe service. The oil change
light will probably come on somewhere in between these intervals..

--
Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada
To email, remove "nospam" from hancockr (AT) nospamshaw (DOT) ca
Home Page: http://www.roberthancock.com/


"Pablo Rodriguez" <PTIVRIHOJPNR (AT) spammotel (DOT) com> wrote

OK, it's not the owners manual but the guaranty policy which lists the
maintenance program. Although my use is a 50-50% city/highway, the
light comes on before the 5,000Km.


"Robert Hancock" <hancockr (AT) nospamshaw (DOT) ca> wrote

I forgot to mention, I reset the computer when the light came on
before the first 5,000Km and it lasted another 4,000+ Km to turn on
again. If it were a real oil-analyzer it should be on again very soon,
right?

PTIVRIHOJPNR (AT) spammotel (DOT) com (Pablo Rodriguez) wrote in message news:<d0d3055c.0307300755.44bac167 (AT) posting (DOT) google.com>...
It's not an oil analyzer, rather an oil life calculator based on
engine temperature, RPM, load, etc.

On some GM cars, the oil life calculator is very simple. If you drive the car
less than three miles between starts, it counts those miles against a 3000 mile
oil change interval. If you drive it more than three miles between starts, it
counts those miles against a 7500 mile oil change interval. On mine, it nearly
always calculates the interval between 6000 and 7500 miles, but I always change
at 5000 miles.

---Bob Gross---