Chevrolet Captiva Owners Manual: Engine Oil Life System

When to Change Engine Oil

This vehicle has a computer system that indicates when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on a combination of factors which include engine revolutions, engine temperature, and miles driven.

Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, the system must be reset every time the oil is changed.

When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message displays. See Engine Oil Messages on page 5-31.

If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message displays, change the oil as soon as possible within the next 1 000 km (600 mi). If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL NOW message displays, change the oil as soon as possible. It is possible that, if driving under the best conditions, the oil life system might indicate that an oil change is not necessary for up to a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and, at this time, the system must be reset. Your dealer has trained service people who will perform this work and reset the system. It is also important to check the oil regularly  over the course of an oil drain interval and keep it at the proper level.

If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi) since the last oil change.

Remember to reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed.

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System

Reset the system whenever the engine oil is changed so that the system can calculate the next engine oil change. To reset the system:

1. Display OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 5-24 and Engine Oil Messages on page 5-31.
2. Press   for five seconds to reset the oil life at 100%.

   Be careful not to reset the oil life display accidentally at any time other than after the oil is changed. It cannot be reset accurately until the next oil change.

The oil life system can also be reset as follows:

1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times within five seconds.

If the OIL LIFE REMAINING value is not 100%, the system needs to be reset again.

Chevrolet Captiva owner's manual is a comprehensive guide that includes detailed information about the Engine Oil Life System, offering guidance on when to change the engine oil and instructions on how to reset the system.

Regarding the timing for an oil change, the engine oil Life System in the Captiva is a sophisticated feature that continuously monitors the condition of the engine oil. It considers various factors such as engine temperature, driving habits, and environmental conditions to calculate the remaining oil life accurately. When the oil life reaches a certain level, typically indicated as a percentage the system alerts the driver that an oil change is recommended.

The recommended intervals for oil changes can vary based on driving conditions and the type of oil used (conventional, synthetic, or a blend). The owner's manual typically provides a standard oil change schedule for normal driving conditions and may offer adjusted intervals for severe driving conditions, such as frequent towing, extreme temperatures, or prolonged idling.

Resetting the Engine Oil Life System is a crucial step after performing an oil change to ensure accurate monitoring of oil condition moving forward. The manual outlines the steps required to reset the system, which typically involves starting the vehicle, navigating to the oil life display on the instrument panel, selecting the reset or initialize option, confirming the action, and verifying that the oil life display shows 100% or a full oil life indication.