Can I still drive with 15% oil life remaining?
2 Answers
You can still drive with 15% oil life remaining, but the oil should be replaced as soon as possible. Here are the relevant details: 1. Meaning of oil life: Oil life refers to the quality of the oil, not the quantity. The so-called oil life indicates the state of oil quality degradation during vehicle operation. The manufacturer specifies oil change requirements in the maintenance manual. When the oil life drops to 10%, the system will issue a reminder, at which point the oil should be replaced promptly. 2. Maintenance cycle: According to the maintenance manual, oil should be changed every six months or 5,000 kilometers, but the actual interval can be slightly longer. For full synthetic oil, the interval can be extended to one year or 10,000 kilometers.
My car experience tells me that when the oil life indicator shows 15%, you can still drive a short distance, but never risk a long trip. Engine oil is like the blood of the engine, responsible for lubrication and cooling. A 15% reading means it has aged and only has a small buffer period left. I often commute by car and once pushed it to 8%, which resulted in increased engine noise and a spike in fuel consumption. I immediately changed the oil to avoid major repairs. At 15%, you can drive for a few days, such as for commuting or short shopping trips, but be sure to schedule a timely visit to the dealership or repair shop for an oil change. Don’t wait until 0%, as increased friction can damage the engine. By the way, oil change intervals are typically every 5,000–10,000 kilometers. This system calculates based on driving habits—acting early to protect your car saves more money in the long run.
