Deep discussion with a great degree of varying opinion. Type "change life monitor" into the search function and you will find 2 pages of threads to view on the subject.

 

Hillsdale, when I saw this post, I thought "here we go again"

GM put the monitor in and warranties the engine for 100,000 miles, isn't that good enough?

If you want to read more opinions, do as Hillsdale said and plan on spending some time reading........

 

A - I believe Hillsdale's response was meant to inform rather than chastise.
B - If you find this discussion upsetting, I suggest you don't read it. Not all current members were around and/or got a chance to participate in past discussions on different subjects.
C - Not everyone here got a 100,000 mile warranty (2006, Hharry included, got 3/36,000) or plans to sell or trade before their warranty expires. Even if we do, I'm sure most of us would like to see subsequent owners get many more miles out of these cars.
D - In response to Jims2009: I was working at a Chevy dealership in 1970 when the Vega with the revolutionary silicone-impregnated aluminum engine block was trotted out, and we all know how that brilliant bit of engineering turned out. I don't care what that engine oil monitor says - I get nervous when it gets close to 5000 miles and have it changed.

 

Mike B. x2

& I used own a couple Chevy Vegas. I really liked them.. Worked in the Machine shop as well..
we used to pull the motors & bore the blocks to accept steel liners..Like the Big Rigs have.. Good to go after that..

Of course one I really liked, my 72 Vega Wagon w/curtains, (my Love-mobile) did eventually get treated to a small block 283..

 

Mine still had 30% when I changed it @ ~7,000km. However, I was putting it away for the winter and didn't want it to sit with dirty oil.

 

I too had a 72 Vega GT wagon (my first new car) Chevy replaced the engine for me when oil comsuption got to 1 qt/350 miles. I had the car for 3 1/2 years then traded it for a 76 Nova Concourse four door w 350 CI 4bbl which got better gas mileage than the Vega.

The HHR I keep an eye on the DIC. My last oil change was at 11000 miles and the DIC was at 20%. I did a lot of highway driving. I'm at 64% after 5000 miles. M1 full synthetic is used.

 

Old Lar, you sure bring back memories of the oil burning Vegas I had 2 of them bought used out of warranty and should of known to buy stock in oil companies back then! I used to buy non-detergent oil by the case just keep them going. Never had to change the oil, just put new filters on every 3k or so

 

After I do the initial oil change, yes and I use a full synthetic oil. I'm running Royal Purple in my HHR right now.

 

Just had mine changed at 11% and almost 7800 miles ,running Castrol Edge 5w30 with a K+N element (filter). Not sure I'd run it all the way out to 15k as Castrol pitches. Runs real good though.

 

To answer the original question, yes. Within 100 miles of the OLM hitting 50% I put in a new filter and within 100 miles of hitting 10% new Castrol synthetic and new filter.

It's been between 5,800 and 6,200 miles to get to 50% and then between 5,500 and 5,600 miles to get down to 10%. Personal choice but I won't go below 10%.

I have a '06 2.4 and the only time it's been to the dealer was for the headliner padding recall.