What is Cadillac Oil Life Monitor and Service Indicator Lights
Car symbols or lights on the dashboard serve as a reminder to maintain the car. The Cadillac Oil Life Monitor shows you when your car needs service and when.
Performing all scheduled and recommended maintenance on your Cadillac is necessary to keep it running properly so you can avoid many untimely, inconvenient and possibly costly repairs due to negligence. Thankfully, the days of a standardized manual maintenance schedule are coming to an end.
Smart technologies like General Motors' (GM's) Oil-Life Monitor (OLM) system automatically monitors your vehicle's oil life using an advanced on-board computer system algorithm that alerts owners when it's time to change the oil so they can decide problem quickly and without hassle. All the owner has to do is make an appointment with a trusted mechanic, take the car in for service, and an experienced mechanic will take care of the rest; it is so simple.
How the Cadillac Oil Life Monitor (OLM) System Works and What to Expect
The Cadillac Oil Life Monitor (OLM) system is not just an oil quality sensor, but a software-based, algorithmically controlled device that takes into account various engine operating conditions to determine the need for an oil change. Certain driving habits can affect oil life as well as driving conditions such as temperature and terrain. Lighter, more moderate driving conditions and temperatures will require less frequent oil changes and maintenance, while more severe driving conditions will require more frequent oil changes and maintenance. Read the table below to find out how the OLM system determines oil life:
- Attention: Engine oil life depends not only on the factors listed above, but also on the specific car model, year of manufacture and recommended type of oil. For more information on which oil is recommended for your vehicle, see your owner's manual and feel free to seek advice from one of our experienced technicians.
The oil life meter is located in the information display on the instrument panel and counts down from 100% oil life to 0% as you continue driving. After about 15% of the oil life, the computer will remind you "OIL CHANGE NEEDED", giving you enough time to plan your vehicle service in advance. It's important not to put off servicing your vehicle, especially when the gauge shows 0% oil life. If you wait and the maintenance is overdue, you run the risk of seriously damaging the engine, which can leave you stranded or worse. GM recommends changing the oil within two fills of the fuel tank from the first message.
The following table shows what the information on the dashboard means when the engine oil reaches a certain usage level:
When your car is ready for an oil change, GM has a standard checklist for servicing your Cadillac:
Cadillac also recommends the following scheduled maintenance items throughout the vehicle's life:
After completing an oil change and service, you may need to reset the OLM system in your Cadillac. Some service people neglect this, which can lead to premature and unnecessary operation of the service indicator. There are many different ways to reset this indicator, depending on your model and year. See your owner's manual for instructions on how to do this for your Cadillac.
While engine oil percentage is calculated according to an algorithm that takes into account driving style and other specific driving conditions, other maintenance information is based on standard time tables such as the old school maintenance schedules found in the owner's manual. This does not mean that Cadillac drivers should ignore such warnings. Proper maintenance will greatly extend the life of your vehicle, ensuring reliability, driving safety, a manufacturer's warranty, and greater resale value. Such maintenance work must always be carried out by a qualified person. If you have any doubts about what the GM Oil Life Monitor (OLM) system means or what services your vehicle may require, feel free to seek advice from our experienced technicians.
If your Cadillac's Oil Life Monitoring (OLM) system indicates your vehicle is ready for service, have it checked by a certified mechanic such as AvtoTachki. Click here, select your vehicle and service or package, and book an appointment with us today. One of our certified mechanics will come to your home or office to service your vehicle.
