Q: Oil change question - 2014 Chevrolet Malibu

asked by on November 22, 2016

I have a 2014 Chevy Malibu with approx. 36000 miles. My oil light has hit 0% about 120 miles ago. I have an appointment with the dealer to do an oil change in 2 days. I have been told I can drive it up To 1000 miles after the light shows 0%. Is that true?

Can I add a quart of oil to get me through until Friday or is it bad to mix new and old oil?

My car has 36000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Change Oil and Filter $103.58 - $181.08 Get a Quote

The "Oil Life" system or "maintenance minder" does not provide "absolutes" when it comes to the timing of oil changes. In fact, there are more variables affecting the "optimum change" interval than are considered by such systems. For example, the "oil life" system does not "know" if you are using lousy oil or the best, most expensive and longest lived 100% synthetic oil. So, the "oil life" reminder is more of a guide. Having said that, going 1,000 miles past the point at which the system says to change the oil (whether using good oil or not) is not only NOT recommended but you should really change the engine oil before the reminder says to do so.

Oil collects lots of dirt and combustion by products and the chemical additive package in the oil does wear out. Consequently, if you intend to keep the car longer than "average", change the oil "somewhat" more frequently than the manufacturer recommends. Also, consider the use of synthetic oil which may have a beneficial effect on the service life of the engine and does promote cleaner engine operation. Conventional mineral oil has contaminants that synthetic oil does not. As you may know, YourMechanic offers professional mobile oil and filter changes which will save you money and provide personalized service during which other questions, or concerns, you have about your car can be addressed.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I turn on and off the fog lights?
The fog lights are controlled by a large button that doubles as the headlight switch. The headlight switch is a circular switch to the left of the steering wheel. It can be rotated to turn on the headlights, but if...
Tube from radiator to engine broke off
The radiator is connected to the engine via a rubber hose. The most common issue is the hose being old and rotted. If this happens it can burst or develop a slit that can look like a break. The repair...
The engine revs when the E-brake is used
Hello! We will be happy to help. I believe the problem that you are describing is a normal driving pattern. In your particular vehicle Lexus/Toyota implemented a system called Artificial Intelligence Shift Patterning. It is consisted of many sensors which...
My rear tire on the driver side feel hot?
Hello there, thank you for asking about your 2005 Honda CR-V. It is normal for tires to get a little warm after driving on the highway. If one tire is warmer than the others, then first check to make sure...
Car will not shift and stalls - 2016 Subaru WRX
Hey there. Considering the burning smell, there may be a problem in the hydraulic circuit of the clutch system. A failing clutch master (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clutch-master-cylinder-replacement) or slave cylinder (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clutch-slave-cylinder-replacement) can cause the problems you are having. To have this diagnosed more...
Passenger side rear mirror and gas cap
Hello, thanks for writing in. I would recommend buying a replacement gas cap (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/gas-cap-replacement) from factory Ford as these are typically engineered much better than many of the aftermarket companies. Regarding your Check Engine Light, you should have this checked...
Violent surging from rough idle after cleaning throttle body and putting in gas
Hello and thank you for contacting YourMechanic. You may want to perform a tune-up (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/tune-up) and change all of the spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement) and wires (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-cable-spark-plug-wires-replacement) first. Then check for vacuum leaks on the engine with a vacuum gauge. If...
Noisy grinding sound when turning wheels left or right
This is a common sign of worn out wheel bearings. Bearing noise can sound a lot like a brake pad dragging or grinding. It can also sound like whirring, whining or humming depending on how much sound deadening material your...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy if You're Hauling a Horse Trailer
Horse Horse owners need a vehicle with towing capacity. Depending on the size of your trailer and the weight of your horse or horses, you probably won’t be able to get away with less than a 3,000-pound towing capacity, and...
How to Customize Your Classic Chevy Pickup
There There are some vehicles that stand the test of time, proving they are functional, attractive, and in demand several decades after they were originally manufactured. One such vehicle is the Chevy pickup truck. The Chevrolet lineup has included pickup...
How to Keep Your Car Cool in Summer
Summer Summer can be a brutal season for anything that moves. While all it takes for us to cool down is a cold drink and an air conditioner, your car requires a bit more attention (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-quickly-cool-down-a-hot-car) in order to stay...