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. On some vehicles, when the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, a CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes on to indicate that an oil change is necessary. See Engine Oil Messages 0 131ii. Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 1 000 km (600 mi). 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. For vehicles without the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message, an oil change is needed when the OIL LIFE REMAINING percentage is near 0%. 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.

page 267 of the 2016 Chevy Owners Manual

https://chevytrucks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2016-Chevy-Colorado-Owners-Manual.pdf

OIL LIFE MONITOR SYSTEM – WHAT IS IT?
UNCATEGORIZED MAR 24TH, 2016
Many of us have heard the term “Oil Life Monitor System” or “oil life monitoring”, but what does it really mean? It’s actually a computer monitoring system that optimizes the interval of your oil changes based on your driving habits! Here’s what you need to know:

What is an Oil Life Monitor (OLM) ?
Contrary to what some may think, the OLM is NOT a mileage counter. Nor, does it monitor the level of oil in the vehicle. Rather, it’s a software algorithm that determines when to change your oil.

THE OIL LIFE MONITOR DOES NOT CHECK THE OIL LEVEL.
As typical, we recommend checking the oil level when you stop for gas.

How does it work?
While there is no actual oil sensor, the computer continuously monitors the vehicles’ engine-operating conditions to determine when to change the oil. In other words, the system will automatically adjust the oil change interval based on engine characteristics, driving habits and the climate in which the vehicle is operated.

For example, mild highway driving in a warm climate will maximize the interval between oil changes, while short trip driving in a cold climate may limit the oil change to 4,800kms (3,000 miles) or so. In general, most people that drive both highway & city find the GM Oil Life Monitor System will indicate an oil change about every 12,000 kms (7,500 miles) to 13,600 kms (8,500 miles).

Oil Life Monitor System - What Is It? - Wallace Chevrolet

 

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. On some vehicles, when the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, a CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comes on to indicate that an oil change is necessary. See Engine Oil Messages 0 131ii. Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 1 000 km (600 mi). 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. For vehicles without the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message, an oil change is needed when the OIL LIFE REMAINING percentage is near 0%. 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.

page 267 of the 2016 Chevy Owners Manual

https://chevytrucks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2016-Chevy-Colorado-Owners-Manual.pdf

OIL LIFE MONITOR SYSTEM – WHAT IS IT?
UNCATEGORIZED MAR 24TH, 2016
Many of us have heard the term “Oil Life Monitor System” or “oil life monitoring”, but what does it really mean? It’s actually a computer monitoring system that optimizes the interval of your oil changes based on your driving habits! Here’s what you need to know:

What is an Oil Life Monitor (OLM) ?
Contrary to what some may think, the OLM is NOT a mileage counter. Nor, does it monitor the level of oil in the vehicle. Rather, it’s a software algorithm that determines when to change your oil.

THE OIL LIFE MONITOR DOES NOT CHECK THE OIL LEVEL.
As typical, we recommend checking the oil level when you stop for gas.

How does it work?
While there is no actual oil sensor, the computer continuously monitors the vehicles’ engine-operating conditions to determine when to change the oil. In other words, the system will automatically adjust the oil change interval based on engine characteristics, driving habits and the climate in which the vehicle is operated.

For example, mild highway driving in a warm climate will maximize the interval between oil changes, while short trip driving in a cold climate may limit the oil change to 4,800kms (3,000 miles) or so. In general, most people that drive both highway & city find the GM Oil Life Monitor System will indicate an oil change about every 12,000 kms (7,500 miles) to 13,600 kms (8,500 miles).

Oil Life Monitor System - What Is It? - Wallace Chevrolet

Cliff notes version: Yes, it's normal.

 

The system could be avoiding leaving the oil in there for long periods of time.

Old oil even if it's not used up may build up contamination.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

It will also take into account time, which I want to say it will call for a change regardless of mileage at one year

 

It will want you to change your oil once a year also.. So if you only drive a 1000 miles it would indicate the need for a change around 1 year

 

The monitor accounts for time, so at roughly one year it will zero out. Operation seems normal.

 

MIne goes down 2% a week. So your 3 to 4 k is correct..It also goes by Time.So basically like me I change my oil once a year since I also only drive the truck under 5k or less a year.

 

Same with mine. Little driving per year. Right now at 63 months old, just turned 24,000 miles.

 

Yes. The system actually seems pretty good. I haven't been good about resetting my oil % following oil changes and the system detects new fresh oil and resets itself around 90% or so, then starts ticking back down