Strange OLM behavior - 2021 Yukon 5.3

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

fondupot

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2024
Posts
130
Reaction score
169
Location
South Carolina
Yea I know another OLM thread. But I couldn’t find one that had similar circumstances. I’ve noticed my OLM going down VERY fast in my 2021 Yukon 5.3.

I changed the oil on 5/10/2025, today is 6/9/2025. So about 1 month ago.

Today after a short drive to and from the grocery store (about 12 minutes each way, 10 miles round trip). The oil life monitor went from 93% to 91% in this trip. Now I reset trip 2 when I changed the oil, and so far on this oil change I’ve only driven 213.7 miles. That equates to roughly 23.7 miles per 1% oil life.

So if I extrapolate out: 23.7 miles x 100% =2,374 miles. That seems way too short for an oil change interval. I know this is lot the exact calculation, just a rough estimate.

In my experience with GM vehicles with OLM systems. It usually is around 65-75 miles per 1% oil life, under normal driving conditions. Extending out to 6500-7500 mile oil change intervals.

Now I know the OLM uses a lot of data to calculate the percentage. Granted our driving so far has been short trips, just to and from the grocery store basically all in town driving. I just feel like something is out of whack.

I changed the oil with Amsoil 0W20 signature and used a Wix filter.

Any thoughts? Am I just overthinking it?

Thanks in advance.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3441.jpeg
    IMG_3441.jpeg
    192.3 KB · Views: 3
  • IMG_3440.jpeg
    IMG_3440.jpeg
    234.6 KB · Views: 2

2024 White Tahoe

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2024
Posts
120
Reaction score
116
Yea I know another OLM thread. But I couldn’t find one that had similar circumstances. I’ve noticed my OLM going down VERY fast in my 2021 Yukon 5.3.

I changed the oil on 5/10/2025, today is 6/9/2025. So about 1 month ago.

Today after a short drive to and from the grocery store (about 12 minutes each way, 10 miles round trip). The oil life monitor went from 93% to 91% in this trip. Now I reset trip 2 when I changed the oil, and so far on this oil change I’ve only driven 213.7 miles. That equates to roughly 23.7 miles per 1% oil life.

So if I extrapolate out: 23.7 miles x 100% =2,374 miles. That seems way too short for an oil change interval. I know this is lot the exact calculation, just a rough estimate.

In my experience with GM vehicles with OLM systems. It usually is around 65-75 miles per 1% oil life, under normal driving conditions. Extending out to 6500-7500 mile oil change intervals.

Now I know the OLM uses a lot of data to calculate the percentage. Granted our driving so far has been short trips, just to and from the grocery store basically all in town driving. I just feel like something is out of whack.

I changed the oil with Amsoil 0W20 signature and used a Wix filter.

Any thoughts? Am I just overthinking it?

Thanks in advance.


I’d say you’re just overthinking it.

I’m curious - why do you use a Wix oil filter and not a GM one?
 

tom3

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2019
Posts
1,176
Reaction score
1,899
I also notice ours goes down quick on short trips, but on an 800 mile highway drive it drops maybe 2%. I usually try to do sub 5000 mile changes on this engine.
 
OP
OP
fondupot

fondupot

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2024
Posts
130
Reaction score
169
Location
South Carolina
I also notice ours goes down quick on short trips, but on an 800 mile highway drive it drops maybe 2%. I usually try to do sub 5000 mile changes on this engine.

Thanks for the reply. I guess it makes sense short trips and all. We haven’t had a chance to take this vehicle on a road trip (just got it in October). Currently has around 65,000 miles.
 

Marky Dissod

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Posts
2,688
Reaction score
3,716
Location
(718)-
after a short drive to and from the grocery store (about 12 minutes each way, 10 miles round trip).
The oil life monitor went from 93% to 91% in this trip.
Now I reset trip 2 when I changed the oil, and so far on this oil change I’ve only driven 213.7 miles.
That equates to roughly 23.7 miles per 1% oil life.

So if I extrapolate out: 23.7 miles x 100% =2,374 miles. That seems way too short for an oil change interval.
um, no, it does NOT.
In 12min coolant has reached operating temp, but the motor oil has not.

If GM further refined the OLM calculus then we should all be glad for the improvement.

3000 miles 10min at a time, is far worse than 6000 miles 4hrs at a time.
 

PPV_2018

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2024
Posts
305
Reaction score
540
Location
U.S.A.
i would say that it checks out. As mentioned several time previously short trips are harder on your engine. Whether the olm actually is programmed to recognize this is doubtful, but take it as an unintended indicator to change the oil more frequently if you are short tripping constantly.
 
OP
OP
fondupot

fondupot

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2024
Posts
130
Reaction score
169
Location
South Carolina
Thanks all for the reality check. Makes me feel better. I’m a freak about preventative maintenance. It just freaked me out seeing the OLM go down so fast after such a short period of time. My plan for this truck was 5,000 mile oil change intervals.

Luckily tho this 5.3 seems to be really solid. It has minimal to zero oil consumption, which I know is a huge issue with these year trucks. I am running a Range DFM module. But even before installing that it wasn’t burning any oil.

I will continue to monitor it. With two babies at home and my work truck being a daily, the Yukon is relegated to groceries and in town driving.

I’m planning to do an oil sample test on the next change.
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
135,187
Posts
1,916,398
Members
100,441
Latest member
Danayala
Top