There is no oil quality sensor! If there was an oil sensor, a more useful function for it would be to warn against low oil level. The Durango doesn't even have that feature!

 

I like to see figures to back up the interval so I sent the oil from my first oil change out for analysis. Dodge uses conventional oil so I wasn't surprised when the oil change indicator came on at exactly 3,500 miles. I performed my own oil change and collected a sample which I had analyzed by blackstone labs. Their analysis indicated there were still plenty of cleaning agents and that I could extend my next oil change by atleast 1,000 miles. When I changed the oil I used synthetic so I plan to wait until I have 7,000 miles on the oil and have another analysis performed.

 

I emailed the official Ram site about the "Oil Change" message in my odometer space when I turn on my 2011 Dakota 6 cyl. They at first said that the trucjk does not come with and oil monitoring system. I sent it back to them and told them again about the message and they told me to try again.

So, my impresion is that now Chrysler wants us to go and pay the dealer whenever we even need air in the tires. Less than 8000 miles on the truck and I am starting to regret it.

Anyway I will try the turn on key and press go pedal 3 times method outlined here (Thanks!). Maybe that will work.

 

Craig,

You should not have to go to the dealer to turn the message off. How it works and how to re-set it is listed in the owners manual. A copy is below.

CHAngE OIL Message

Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “CHAngE OIL” message will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer for approximately
12 seconds after a single chime has sounded, to indicate
the next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil
change indicator system is duty cycle based, which
means the engine oil change interval may fluctuate
dependent upon your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Trip Odometer button on the instrument
cluster. To reset the oil change indicator system (after
performing the scheduled maintenance), refer to the
following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position
(do not start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE: If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.

 

Can Chris set things straight on how the oil change indicator system works on the Durango?

 

Here is the procedure for the Durango's out of the 2012 manual.

Engine Oil Change Indicator System

Oil Change Due
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Oil Change Due” message will
flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10 seconds
after a single chime has sounded, to indicate the next
scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate, dependent
upon your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position or cycle the ignition to the ON/RUN position if
equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go. To turn off the
message temporarily, press and release the MENU button.
To reset the oil change indicator system (after
performing the scheduled maintenance) refer to the following
procedure.

Vehicles Equipped With Keyless Enter-N-Go
1. Without pressing the brake pedal, cycle the ignition to
the ON/RUN position (Do not start the engine.)
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal, slowly, three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Cycle the ignition to the OFF/LOCK position.

Vehicles Not Equipped With Keyless Enter-N-Go
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position (Do
not start the engine.)
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal, slowly, three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE: If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.

 

Quoting the manual clears nothing up as we're looking for info that's NOT in the there!

Can the oil tracking system be reset before it shows up if you change the oil early?
That's my question.

 

It should reset when you perform the procedure but it will not indicate to you that it has been reset.

 

Great Thanks!

Maybe someone at Chrysler should tell the dealer service centers about this!

 

Your welcome.