Can I Still Drive with 15% Oil Life Remaining?
2 Answers
When the oil life indicator shows 15%, you can still drive, but you should change the oil as soon as possible. Meaning of oil life: Oil life refers to the quality of the oil, not the quantity. The so-called oil life refers to the state of oil quality wear over time 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 prompt, indicating that the oil should be changed as soon as possible. Maintenance cycle: According to the maintenance manual, the oil should be serviced 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. In oil specifications, "W" stands for WINTER. The number before "W" represents the viscosity of the oil in low-temperature conditions. A smaller number indicates better low-temperature fluidity of the oil, providing better engine protection during cold starts. The number after "W" represents the viscosity of the oil at 100 degrees Celsius. A higher number indicates higher viscosity, offering better engine protection at high temperatures.
The oil life indicator shows 15%, and my first thought is that I can still drive for a while, but definitely don't wait too long. When it comes to cars, engine operation relies on oil lubrication. Once the oil degrades and loses effectiveness, increased friction between parts accelerates wear. Short city trips might be fine for a short period, but long-distance or high-speed driving poses a higher risk of engine overheating, which can easily lead to internal damage. I once forgot to change the oil and drove for an extra ten days, resulting in louder engine noise and rough performance—costing me a lot in unnecessary repairs later. I recommend checking the dipstick immediately to assess the oil's color and cleanliness. If it appears black or has an unusual odor, change it right away. Schedule maintenance within a week, as 15% is already a warning threshold—preventing minor damage is far better than dealing with major repairs.
