Understanding the oil life percentage can help extend the engine’s longevity and enhance performance. Your car has an oil life indicator that displays oil life percentage based on miles driven, driving habits, and weather. This percentage helps you know the number of miles you have before the next oil change service.
To keep your automobile running smoothly, you must change the oil when its percentage gets too low. So, how many miles left on 10 oil life?
This article lets you know how long you can keep driving with a 10% oil life. We’ll also discuss what oil life percentage means and what would happen if you drive with a low oil percentage.
Question: What is the Oil Life Percentage?
The oil life percentage displayed on the dash indicates the quality of the engine’s oil. Modern vehicles use sensors, ECU, and algorithms to calculate oil life percentage so you can know when to change oil. For your car to give the correct percentage, the system must rely on the miles covered, engine temperature, driving habits, and operating conditions.
Oil life percentage is different from oil level and pressure. Oil level denotes the amount of lubricant your vehicle has. You can check the engine’s oil level using the dipstick near the radiator. Your car’s dipstick has a way of indicating the oil level in the engine.
On the other hand, oil pressure indicates the pressure at which the oil flows through the engine. Oil pressure should remain at the recommended level to allow proper engine lubrication. If the oil pressure is too low or high, it means something is wrong with the oil or engine.
The oil life percentage starts at 100% and drops to 0%. Your vehicle will monitor engine operating conditions to indicate the oil’s ability to lubricate the engine.
When the oil life percentage goes below a certain level, usually 15%, you’ll see a warning light on the dashboard. This light means the oil change service is due soon. As you continue driving, the oil will degrade, causing the percentage to decrease.
Question: How Many Miles Left On 10 Oil Life?
If your oil life indicator shows 10 oil life, it means you should change engine oil soon. Don’t let the low percentage or blinking warning light worry or distract you. At 10% oil life, you still have more miles to drive before your oil becomes ineffective for the engine.
10 oil life means you can go between 800 and 1000 miles before changing the old oil. That means you have more miles to get back home or drive to the nearest dealership or mechanic for an oil change. The good news is that you can change the oil at home without professional help.
If the oil life drops below the recommended level, locate the drain plug and loosen it with a wrench. Ensure you’ve placed a drain pan under the plug to collect the old oil. After draining all the oil, replace the plug and tighten it correctly. Then, add fresh engine oil.
According to many manufacturers, you should replace engine oil every 3000-7500 miles, depending on the type of oil.
If you’re unsure when to change engine oil, consult the manual or the dealership. The manual will also help you know when to replace the oil filter.
Question: Is 10% Oil Life Safe?
You now know how many miles left on 10 oil life. But is driving with this percentage safe?
While you can drive for around 800-1000 miles with 10% oil life, this doesn’t mean it’s safe for the engine. Oil deteriorates as the percentage falls, meaning it gradually loses its effectiveness at lubricating parts. 10 oil life will lubricate parts but not as efficiently as it would with a higher percentage.
To ensure your engine is safe, consider changing the oil when you reach such a low percentage. Changing oil will also boost the engine performance to ensure a smooth driving experience.
Question: Which is the Best Oil to Use?
When changing oil, it’s essential to consider which oil best suits your car and budget. You can choose between conventional and synthetic engine oils.
Conventional oil is a traditional engine oil common in many vehicles. This oil gives you around 3000-5000 miles before the oil change service. On the other hand, synthetic oil is a modern lubricant with different additives to boost your engine’s performance while protecting it for longer.
If you use synthetic oil, you’ll need to change it every 7500 miles. Unlike conventional oil, synthetic oil has a low evaporation rate under heat. That means even if the engine temperature is high, synthetic oil will retain its efficiency and last longer.
The only downside is that synthetic oils are more expensive than conventional oils. However, based on the oil change intervals, synthetic oils save you money in the long run.
Question: What Happens if You Drive With Low Oil Life?
As stated earlier, you can keep driving with a 10% oil life or below. However, if the oil life reaches 0%, it means the oil change service is overdue.
Driving with low oil life can cause significant damage to the engine. Such oil will still lubricate engine parts but not efficiently. You’ll start to experience signs of wear or damage to various moving components.
Besides, the moving parts will increase friction, causing the engine to overheat. An overheated engine can result in reduced power, stalling problems, and engine failure. In most cases, your car will go into limp mode to minimize damage to engine parts.
The best way to avoid damage to the engine is to change the oil when it reaches between 40% and 15% oil life. Changing the oil and completing other maintenance tasks on time can help you save a lot of money in the long run. Additionally, your car will last longer to give you more years of dependable service.
Question: Does Oil Life Percentage Mean the Same for All Car Brands?
Unfortunately, the oil life percentage won’t mean the same for all car brands. For example, older car models don’t have the oil life percentage programmed into the ECU. That means you’ll need to check the oil condition to know if it needs to be changed manually.
Moreover, you can rely on the miles covered and engine performance to know when to change the engine oil.
Conversely, newer car models with oil life programmed into the ECU are easier to tell when to change the oil. However, the oil life percentage doesn’t mean the same in different new car models.
For instance, a Ford Mustang will burn 10 oil life faster than a Ford Fiesta. Additionally, brands like Honda recommend oil changes every 5,000 miles, while GM prefers oil changes every 8,000 miles. If you’re unsure when to change the oil for your car, consult the manual or dealership.
Final Thoughts
This guide helps you know how many miles left on 10 oil life. If your oil life indicator shows 10% oil life, you should plan for an oil change service soon. You can still drive your car for around 800 to 1000 miles with 10 oil life.
However, driving with a low oil life percentage can cause damage to engine parts. A low oil life percentage means your engine oil has lost its efficiency at lubricating parts.