I don't believe the system has any idea the oil has been changed. You will still need to reset the oil change program.

 

its set on certain mileage...dont let em lie to you. The manual does read however that the durango(at least my v6 only needs oil changed every 8000 miles, due to using synthetic...i still do it every 4000.

 

It's funny the manual and the indicator are so far off, mine popped up (2012 Caravan) at about 4 months and 6000km's - I reset the indicator so it wouldn't bug me, I'll probably do a change for the hell of it (break in and all) and reset it again before hitting the road with new oil, but what about the 13,000km's the service manual states. My old Chev Astro used to count down, fun they did not allow these dodges to do that

 

Thevalleyboy,

The engine oil change indicator system is duty cycle-based, which
means the engine oil change interval may vary depending on your personal driving style. The owner's manual parameters are the maximum limits that should not be exceeded, 6 months or 13,000 km, whichever is to occur first.

 

So I just had my second oil change (with synthetic) at 7300 miles (based on what the computer is telling me). I think this is bull**** as I just drive to and from work in sunny California and my car sits in a garage. No reason to change oil every 3500 miles with synthetic based on my driving style, etc.

 

Your driving mostly to work and back without many highway miles will absolutely require more frequent oil changes.

 

Good thread and information. I drive an '11 Crew Durango, bought new in July 2011 and currently have 27000 miles. Except for a rock in the windshield and a myopic deer running into the side of my vehicle, this vehicle has been trouble free and only into the dealer for oil changes. I change oil anywhere from 5000 to 6000 miles without waiting for the light and chime to come on, but perhaps I should. Let me explain.

My wife's '06 Honda Accord has a 'maintenance minder' built in to monitor oil change intervals along with other routine maintenance items. The dealer does not want to see her car until the maintenance minder comes on at 15% oil life remaining (about 7000 miles or so from last oil change). Her car has been flawless in the 7 years we have owned it and continues to perform well on this maintenance routine/interval.

So, the old school mindset of 3000 mile oil changes took me some time to shake, but with my Durango and my wife's Accord, I am convinced that the oils of today are more than capable of going the distance, and I'll not follow my dealer's windshield sticker of next oil change at 3000 miles. Seems they like the revenue for those that abide by their oil change interval rules.

 

I drive 20 minutes back and forth to work. 1/2 highway, half regular streets. Hardly seems so abusive that my recommended oil change interval should go from 8000 miles (per manual) to 3500 miles. I'm using synthetic too.

 

Not "abusive" just not good for the life of the oil.
A 20 minute commute isn't really enough time to completely warm up the oil. It needs to get hot enough to burn off combustion by-products and moisture.
Just curious...which freeway in LA isn't stop-and-go during rush hour?