4 Things To Know About Oil Life Monitors On Modern Vehicles

 

4. Not All Vehicles Have Oil Life Monitors

The latest Toyota vehicles do come with basic oil life monitoring systems. By monitoring oil level, oil temperature and miles driven, you'll get dashboard alerts as you approach the need for another oil change. That way, you can begin to think about scheduling your oil change long before you need one. If the oil pressure or temperature fall outside the margin of what's safe for normal operations, this will usually trigger a different warning light. When your engine is running smoothly, all you'll need to do is keep an eye out for these alerts, so you can get the oil change your vehicle needs when it needs it.

 

3. How Oil Life Monitors Work

Basic oil life monitors simply track your miles driven against a mileage interval programmed at the factory. As long as the oil level and temperature remain where they should, the system simply reminds you in the driver's information display when you need another oil change. That way, you can ditch that unsightly sticker on the windshield. However, on some other makes and models, the oil life monitor can even detect actual changes in the condition of the oil over time, and proactively recommend an oil change as the oil wears out. Instead, Toyota sticks with a simpler system that works on the tried-and-true regular mileage oil change.

2. Why It's Important To Keep Track Of The Condition Of Your Oil

Engine oil keeps your engine's moving parts well-lubricated, cooled and clean, so they can run for hundreds of thousands of miles. Over time, heat and carbon from the engine as well as dirt and dust from the outside air can get inside the engine. They break down the oil, until it cannot lubricate as well, and sludge begins to build up inside the engine. These can degrade performance, and eventually lead to major engine damage. Regularly changing the engine oil and filter -- before the oil becomes too broken down -- is critical to keep your engine running for a long life.

 

1. Built-In Vehicle Reminders Are Only A Guide

If you experience a lot of harsh driving conditions -- such as city stop-and-go traffic, heavy smog, dust storms, frequent towing or frequent off-road use -- you may want earlier preventative maintenance to help your vehicle stand tough. Or, if your vehicle is only infrequently driven for very short distances, it might not rack up enough miles and may actually need oil changes a little less frequently. With the help of a technician in our service center, we can help determine exactly what's right for your family car -- so you can save time and money, keep your vehicle on the road longer, have reliable, safe transportation and get everything under one roof at the Capitol Toyota service department.