How does Astra know the oll needs changing?

Annie1960

I had an Astra which I bought new in 2003. It was great, and when it got to 10 years old I traded it in for a 3 year old Astra last July.

All was well until today - the orange light with the picture of a car and spanner appeared on the dashboard, and error code 82 appeared.

I looked up the manual and error code 82 means the oil needs to be changed.

My question is how does the Astra know that the oil needs changing? What sort of sensor does it use to determine this? I have done very little mileage (only about 2,000 miles since last July) - will this make a difference?

jaybeetoo

If you've only done 2,000 miles since last July, then I assume you are doing lots of short journeys where the engine isn't reaching normal temperature. This is probably the worst thing you can do to an engine so I'm not surprised the oils needs changing.

Nodding_Donkey

I expect it works on a combination of time and distance travelled.

colino

There isn't a single sensor for this, it's not actually monitoring the quality of the oil and most manufacturers seem to be adding these service advisors.
The ecu will have been programmed to look at mileage, length of service as well as number of stop starts and other lube effecting parameters. That with BMWs for example, means happy fleet managers seeing oil changes every 18,000 miles or thereabouts for their long distant fleet and other users: Your example on the contrary, seeing the warning come up, "early" because of the higher ratio of start stops to mileage covered.

Annie1960

Thanks for the answers.

I preferred my old Astra.

facade

Just put your foot on the brake pedal, hold down the trip reset and turn on the ignition.
After 15 seconds the service interval is reset without even lifting the bonnet.

Simples!

arcon5

Not an imminent problem you need to worry about - but irrespective of the mileague, an annual oil change is still needed so in 4 weeks or so look to service it

Annie1960

facade wrote: »

Just put your foot on the brake pedal, hold down the trip reset and turn on the ignition.
After 15 seconds the service interval is reset without even lifting the bonnet.

Simples!

Won't there be a problem if I leave it?

In the manual it says get oil changed within 1 week or 300 miles, whichever is sooner.

Annie1960

arcon5 wrote: »

Not an imminent problem you need to worry about - but irrespective of the mileague, an annual oil change is still needed so in 4 weeks or so look to service it

Service was not due until July, but I have booked it in for June, earlier than I really wanted to.

facade

Annie1960 wrote: »

Won't there be a problem if I leave it?

In the manual it says get oil changed within 1 week or 300 miles, whichever is sooner.

You should get the oil changed each year, or the car will explode/turn into a pumpkin/burst into flames etc.

I thought you wanted rid of the light, as you have only done 2000 miles

If you are having an annual service anyway don't worry about it, it is just a time thing, likely serviced and reset just before you bought it, next time you get it reset it will last 12 months.

BeenThroughItAll

colino wrote: »

There isn't a single sensor for this, it's not actually monitoring the quality of the oil and most manufacturers seem to be adding these service advisors.
The ecu will have been programmed to look at mileage, length of service as well as number of stop starts and other lube effecting parameters. That with BMWs for example, means happy fleet managers seeing oil changes every 18,000 miles or thereabouts for their long distant fleet and other users: Your example on the contrary, seeing the warning come up, "early" because of the higher ratio of start stops to mileage covered.

Absolutely true.


Worth pointing out though that some vehicles at the 'higher end' of the market do actually come fitted with oil quality (opacity) sensors which can determine the correct time to change oil.