VE Engineering Mode

[AndrewW]

Someone posted in another thread how to enable 'Engineering Mode' on the VE.

Hold down the left scroll wheel and the trip button whilst turning on the ignition

So I gave it a try last night, and noticed there are some new options that weren't there on my VY.

1. Current Gear. Interestingly, on my M6, it shows R for reverse but unknown for any forward gear

2. Throttle Position. Shown as xx.x%

3. Tyre Pressue - showed a row of 5 zeros, I wonder if you could fit the sensor to make this work ?

4. Engine Oil Life ! - Mine was showing 12% and I've done 7.5K klms. When I got in this morning, it was showing 11%, so its counting down.

Does anybody know how this is calculated ?

Does it just count down based on klms or time ?

Because at this rate it will hit 0% at around 8K klms, and this is strange as the VE has a 15K klms service interval (I will be changing mine myself at 7.5K intervals anyway, but just interested to know).

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Baddaz]

You only need to hold down the left scroll wheel to enter 'Engineering Mode' on the VE.. And If you hold down just the Trip button it enters the 'Service Item' Reset menu.

[VZSS250]

i wasn't able to get the throttle position reading but git everything else, including 45% for oil life. My car's done 1,500km.

[AndrewW]

well my oil life is now down to 9%

I'd be very interested to hear from anyone that knows how this value is calculated.

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Souljah]

Can someone point me in the direction of a thread that has all this stuff but for a VY?

cheers.

[chopsy]

I picked up my SS-V from its 3000 service yesterday, and as soon as I picked it up, I checked the oil reading under engineering. (I asked for an oil and filter change) It was showing 41%. I went back to the service dept and asked them to check that they definitely changed the oil. They told me they had, but that it was the first oil change they'd done on a VE, so the mechanic didn't know to reset it on the Tech2. The manager came out and did it for me.

[AndrewW]

I picked up my SS-V from its 3000 service yesterday, and as soon as I picked it up, I checked the oil reading under engineering. (I asked for an oil and filter change) It was showing 41%. I went back to the service dept and asked them to check that they definitely changed the oil. They told me they had, but that it was the first oil change they'd done on a VE, so the mechanic didn't know to reset it on the Tech2. The manager came out and did it for me.

Interesting that it was showing 41% after 3000 klms :burnout:

Mine is down to 6% now at just under 9000 klms ...

Andrew.

[VYSSBlack]

Mines 15% at just under 5000kms

[Road Warrior]

2. Throttle Position. Shown as xx.x%



So does it show 100% at WOT?

I think you need to do a test and report back here with your findings :D

[chopsy]

Interesting that it was showing 41% after 3000 klms :burnout:

Mine is down to 6% now at just under 9000 klms ...

Andrew.

I live in the NT, and had to make the most of roads without speed limits while I could!

I asked the guy at the dealers how it measured the oil life, whether it was just a calculation against kms. He started to waffle, then admitted he didn't know. Anyone got any idea?

[saaz]

It sounds like the oil life monitor has not been properly enabled, but it would be interesting to know definitively from GMH. The recommended service interval is usually conservative against the oil life monitor, unless you are in the severe service category.

I came across this general description of the oil life monitor, from one of the engineers who worked on it. BTW, he did say that synthetic oil generally has no advantage in terms of oil life as the additives used up in the oil that the oil monitor tracks are the same regardless of synthetic or normal oil. Synthetic does have other advantages beyounf dthat though (high temp stability etc)

The oil life algorithms (that have proven to accurately model engine oil life beyond a shadow of a doubt) actually count engine revolutions to establish the basic oil decay rate...so...the more revolutions the greater the degradation. This linear decay rate is multiplied by various factors that account for the oil operating temperature, ambient conditions, soak times, run times, engine load and many others. Short trips in cold weather will add considerable deterioration because of the effects of contamination by gas and water.

[Invasionss]

This is all new to my ears & this mode is just sounding fantastic. I should trade my ute in for a VE right now!

Justin

[Baddaz]

I picked up my SS-V from its 3000 service yesterday, and as soon as I picked it up, I checked the oil reading under engineering. (I asked for an oil and filter change) It was showing 41%. I went back to the service dept and asked them to check that they definitely changed the oil. They told me they had, but that it was the first oil change they'd done on a VE, so the mechanic didn't know to reset it on the Tech2. The manager came out and did it for me.

Does anyone know how to reset the "oil life" dodad.. They didn't reset mine after the service and it's 2hours out of my life to drive back to dealership to have it reset.. Do you need a Tech2 thingy-ma-bob connected to do it?

If so I'll take to my local mechanic to have it reset. You know the cheaper dude's that service cars just as good. But can allways seem to remember to reset service interval dodads. Our last dealership that we no longer use never reset the cars... O sorry they did do it once in 5 years. (out of 3 vehicles and a totals of over 120,00kms each) about 1:35 not bad odds.

[Piffs]

Done some testing for this. At WOT my display shows 100% throttle and the instant fuel usage goes to 10.01L/h then says 0.00L/h. Looks like i maxed it out! :dancenana:

[Tyre biter]

[QUOTE=Baddaz;844378]Does anyone know how to reset the "oil life" dodad.. They didn't reset mine after the service and it's 2hours out of my life to drive back to dealership to have it reset.. Do you need a Tech2 thingy-ma-bob connected to do it?QUOTE]

Not sure that anyone does know. I asked about this some time back and got several replies about re-setting the service reminder but nothing on the oil life. My dealer didn't even know the hidden modes existed, let alone how to re-set the oil life...

I am thinking it might just be a matter for Tech 2.

Cheers

[julesgr]

Hi, because these cars are exported to the middle east there is a service reminder to service engine oil at 7500km which can be disabled in Australia by the dealer.

[Leigh C]

Hello, Is there any more advancements on this subject?
I have just done a service (VE alloytec LPG) at 10K & have reset the service reminder display & it says "service reset - no items" but in engineering mode it still says "engine oil life 19%"
Shouldn't it have gone to 100% or whatever?
Has anyone had it cleared with Tech 2 & got a better result in "eng. oil life"?
Thanks Leigh

[dgwhite]

Yeah, mine is the same. Reset the service reminder by the mechanic, but Engine Oil Life is still showing as 0%.

Thanks
dgwhite

[KingClifton]

It sounds like the oil life monitor has not been properly enabled, but it would be interesting to know definitively from GMH. The recommended service interval is usually conservative against the oil life monitor, unless you are in the severe service category.

It's a pity that Ford/Holden don't engineer their vehicles (or determine the service schedules) like most European manufacturers do. We're still largely stick with X months or XX,000km service intervals, which don't always reflect the real servicing needs.

With most European makes, service intervals are variable, and it's the car's on-board computer that determines when the service is due, based on the type of driving (# cold starts, short-distance trips etc). Hence you often go 15-20,000 miles between services. There are fixed time-based services for things like coolant, brake fluid etc, but the oil-change services are variable.

When I owned Audis I kept querying the dealer when they were going to introuce the European-spec long-life service intervals to Australia. They had no plans to, because they thought it would confuse owners. In fact they were still recommending oil changes every 7500km!

BMW, however, has embraced this for years, and for a typical 3-year ownership period (ie. lease) you might only have 1 oil change and 1 'major' service - total cost is around $500, assuming you'd done around 50,000km in that time.

For me it's more a question of convenience - I'd rather not have to take my car in for a service every 7-8 months!

[Brandonsdad]

Hello, Is there any more advancements on this subject?
I have just done a service (VE alloytec LPG) at 10K & have reset the service reminder display & it says "service reset - no items" but in engineering mode it still says "engine oil life 19%"
Shouldn't it have gone to 100% or whatever?
Has anyone had it cleared with Tech 2 & got a better result in "eng. oil life"?
Thanks Leigh

Take it back to Holdens and they will fix it with Tech 2, just like I had to get done. They forget.

[black vxss]

Mine has done 10,111kms and says 88% oil life left. I had the oil level sensor replaced recently so I guess they changed the oil and updated the oil life.

[uteme]

Someone posted in another thread how to enable 'Engineering Mode' on the VE.

Hold down the left scroll wheel and the trip button whilst turning on the ignition

So I gave it a try last night, and noticed there are some new options that weren't there on my VY.

1. Current Gear. Interestingly, on my M6, it shows R for reverse but unknown for any forward gear

2. Throttle Position. Shown as xx.x%

3. Tyre Pressue - showed a row of 5 zeros, I wonder if you could fit the sensor to make this work ?

4. Engine Oil Life ! - Mine was showing 12% and I've done 7.5K klms. When I got in this morning, it was showing 11%, so its counting down.

Does anybody know how this is calculated ?

Does it just count down based on klms or time ?

Because at this rate it will hit 0% at around 8K klms, and this is strange as the VE has a 15K klms service interval (I will be changing mine myself at 7.5K intervals anyway, but just interested to know).

Cheers,

Andrew.


Did some checking and maybe I'm the last to know but in response to the above quote the WM Caprice has sensors to monitor tyre pressure and alert driver of any problems. Going to check with the dealer if it can be fitted to the ute.

[uteme]

As far as tyre pressure sensors go the only way it can be fitted to models that do not have it standard is to upgrade the Body Control Module and you are looking at $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[LS1HVN]

As far as i know, from having a play around with Tech2, there is a seperate option to reset the oil life readout.

Also,on WOT, was getting 99.2% throttle position, but if i backed off slightly, it went up closer to 100%

[Deanss-v]

Just for conformation does the tranny temperature only work on the autos?
Thats in engineers mode.

[SSV8TE]

well my oil life is now down to 9%

I'd be very interested to hear from anyone that knows how this value is calculated.

Cheers,

Andrew.

Apparently it calculates on throttle percentage average , average fuel usage and km's . Spoke to someone who works at holden about this. It estimates for the service techs according to your drive habbit. Even changes in hotter weather. Mine has 7500km and says 57% but as you all know a computer doesnt guess for everyones driving habbits truely. Hope this helps a bit. Cheers.
:idea:

[Brandonsdad]

Just for conformation does the tranny temperature only work on the autos?
Thats in engineers mode.

I would think so.

[Grayzie]

A wonderful find mate. Its great now i can check my

Fuel left in Litres
Battery Life %
Battery Volts
Coolant temp
Oil Life %
And so on...

http://i37.tinypic.com/2say104.jpg

Sorry about the curddy pic. Took it on my mobile.
:goodjob:

[SSV8TE]

Gday all,
To reset the oil % do as follows:

Turn ignition to on but not started
Then press the accelerator pedal to the floor 3 times quickly then oil% will reset back to 99%.
It calculates on km's travelled and hours engine running.
Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Andy.

[scoot1]

It's a pity that Ford/Holden don't engineer their vehicles (or determine the service schedules) like most European manufacturers do. We're still largely stick with X months or XX,000km service intervals, which don't always reflect the real servicing needs.

With most European makes, service intervals are variable, and it's the car's on-board computer that determines when the service is due, based on the type of driving (# cold starts, short-distance trips etc). Hence you often go 15-20,000 miles between services. There are fixed time-based services for things like coolant, brake fluid etc, but the oil-change services are variable.

When I owned Audis I kept querying the dealer when they were going to introuce the European-spec long-life service intervals to Australia. They had no plans to, because they thought it would confuse owners. In fact they were still recommending oil changes every 7500km!

BMW, however, has embraced this for years, and for a typical 3-year ownership period (ie. lease) you might only have 1 oil change and 1 'major' service - total cost is around $500, assuming you'd done around 50,000km in that time.

For me it's more a question of convenience - I'd rather not have to take my car in for a service every 7-8 months!

For the minor expense of an oil change every 10000 km... and relatively good reliability.
Seems to be a small price to pay. If they are now happy to leave the oil in there for 15000km then it must present some sort of reliability with slightly more oil capacity. Still change mine at 5000km anyway.

[broadbent30]

so if my throttle is saying 9 - 18% when im not touching it that is normal?
and
if i drive a manual my current gear wont be displayed???

[John67]

Grayzie, I see that in your engineering mode that your battery is a healthy 69%. Mine shows nothing over 35-38%. Dealer have had car for 2 days on charge and can't get it past 43% and still wont change my battery!!!! Maybe they don't know how to read engineering mode. SAD!!

[Special K]

so if my throttle is saying 9 - 18% when im not touching it that is normal?
and
if i drive a manual my current gear wont be displayed???

mine showed 9% when i wasn't touching it either, but its an auto.
but i'd say thats ok..



Grayzie, I see that in your engineering mode that your battery is a healthy 69%. Mine shows nothing over 35-38%. Dealer have had car for 2 days on charge and can't get it past 43% and still wont change my battery!!!! Maybe they don't know how to read engineering mode. SAD!!

my batt showed 99%


altho my oil life is 6%....i had my 15,000km service just 3,000kms ago.
but not at a dealer, so most likely wasn't reset?

[Ron SS]

Oil life is a calculation of revs, temp, dist, throttle opening etc .... harder you drive, shorter the life. It is reset by turning on the ignition, but don't start the motor, push the throttle to the floor three times and it goes back to 100% (99.99% I think).

Throttle position is pretty accurate ... it is cracked open a little just to get it to idle. Note also that it does not sit at 90 degrees when closed. It has an angle on it, hence the throttle plate is chamfered. This means it sits at around 9% when "closed" and when you touch the pedal, it is at 10% hence makes it feel very powerful. This trick was overdone on VNs ...they felt like they were far more powerful on take off and people complained as it made them wheelspin too much in the wet. Later models had less angle at idle.

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

Oil life is a calculation of revs, temp, dist, throttle opening etc .... harder you drive, shorter the life. It is reset by turning on the ignition, but don't start the motor, push the throttle to the floor three times and it goes back to 100% (99.99% I think).

Throttle position is pretty accurate ... it is cracked open a little just to get it to idle. Note also that it does not sit at 90 degrees when closed. It has an angle on it, hence the throttle plate is chamfered. This means it sits at around 9% when "closed" and when you touch the pedal, it is at 10% hence makes it feel very powerful. This trick was overdone on VNs ...they felt like they were far more powerful on take off and people complained as it made them wheelspin too much in the wet. Later models had less angle at idle.


do you know if it is possible to soften up the peddle tension on a VE NOT THE ELECTRONIC part just the spring tension of the peddle

[PESSV]

AH the throttle percentage may help me with another question I have posted. How can you change the idle speed. (without Tech2 etc) There has to be a way. I didn't know I could see the throttle percentage at closed so I'll have a look tonight. Sounds like 9% is about standard. Would have thought auto would be slightly higher than manual?

Just looked-
6.0l M6. Headers, Cats, Exhaust, CAI. No tune.
Throttle percentage 6.6% warm.
RPM fluctuates 635-655 warm.
And out of interest only - Oil life 0% (I know that's wrong)

It would be interesting to see some other numbers on throttle and RPM warm. My throttle started at 12% cold and that would vary on the temp. 9% warm would be way too quick.

[JohnVanHalen]

hey i have a MY09 VE SV6 Commodore and i cant seem to get this mode to work, ive tried the instructions given at the start of the thread but no go? any thoughts?

[Wyrms]

Wow! I'm excited now. I just found out about all these little things I never knew my VE could do!

It's been about 6000km since my last service so I'll change the oil and reset the counter myself in another 1500km.

Also, I'm gonna go to Holden in the morrow and see if they can put in Tech 2 and if they can, then for how much.

Cheers guys. Much appreciate the finds.

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

Wow! I'm excited now. I just found out about all these little things I never knew my VE could do!

It's been about 6000km since my last service so I'll change the oil and reset the counter myself in another 1500km.

Also, I'm gonna go to Holden in the morrow and see if they can put in Tech 2 and if they can, then for how much.

Cheers guys. Much appreciate the finds.

are you talking about geting a tec 2 installed in your car ??

if so just get a V2 from efilive

[VXTIMMY]

Gday all,
To reset the oil % do as follows:

Turn ignition to on but not started
Then press the accelerator pedal to the floor 3 times quickly then oil% will reset back to 99%.
It calculates on km's travelled and hours engine running.
Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Andy.
Thanks for that, work a treat!:goodjob:

[CalaisRider]

Just for conformation does the tranny temperature only work on the autos?
Thats in engineers mode.


:confused:
Holy crap, really? So, I can actually somehow see the trans temp of my VE A6 - is that right. Man that would be handy for me.

Can someone walk me through how I see/set the trans temp PLEASE??? I'm a total dumbass as far as techo stuff goes.

It would be very much appreciated. :)

Pete

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

:confused:
Holy crap, really? So, I can actually somehow see the trans temp of my VE A6 - is that right. Man that would be handy for me.

Can someone walk me through how I see/set the trans temp PLEASE??? I'm a total dumbass as far as techo stuff goes.

It would be very much appreciated. :)

Pete

HOLD DOWN THE LEFT SCROLL WHEEL start the engine let the scroll wheel go you now are in the E mode now scroll through want you to see :)

[Brandonsdad]

HOLD DOWN THE LEFT SCROLL WHEEL start the engine let the scroll wheel go you now are in the E mode now scroll through want you to see :)

I think if you then turn the car off, it stays on. As long as you leave the accessories on.
Im sure I did this a while ago.

[CalaisRider]

I think if you then turn the car off, it stays on. As long as you leave the accessories on.
Im sure I did this a while ago.


Thanks guys. I will give it a try. :)

I have two separate coolers mounted additional to the stock one that runs through the radiator for the trans but would be good to see the A6 fluid temp on track days and stuff where it gets a bit of a flogging in manual mode for extended periods.

Skidpan days which I do often are probably the hardest on the trans as its sustained high revs and not a lot of air flow to cool things down.

[MonaroMick76]

Oil life is a calculation of revs, temp, dist, throttle opening etc .... harder you drive, shorter the life. It is reset by turning on the ignition, but don't start the motor, push the throttle to the floor three times and it goes back to 100% (99.99% I think).



I have just tried this on my VE and can confirm that it does work. I'm not sure if anyone else has verified this previously in any of the above posts.
Thanks Ron SS

[joegts]

A wonderful find mate. Its great now i can check my

Fuel left in Litres
Battery Life %
Battery Volts
Coolant temp
Oil Life %
And so on...

http://i37.tinypic.com/2say104.jpg

Sorry about the curddy pic. Took it on my mobile.
:goodjob:
If anybody can help me
when i go in engineering mode , it does not show (Battery Life % )
by the way its a ve gts.

cheers

[BackyardSpecial]

Hold the button in turn ignition on red lights only and this will put it in engineering mode then push the accelerator pedal to the floor 4 times and this will reset it to 100%.

[GazzSS]

ive got a few more options on mine when i scroll down ill list them tomorrow..

[joegts]

instead of ( Battery Charge ) , mine shows Only ( Battery Voltage).
Just wondering if that can be changed.

joe

[GazzSS]

Mine Shows both ... You know you can scroll down the list joe??

[GazzSS]

Should show these ... Tacho sits on about 800-900 when idling and throttle jumps to about 20-30%

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e127/gazman_08/IMG_0170.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e127/gazman_08/IMG_0171.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e127/gazman_08/IMG_0172.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e127/gazman_08/IMG_0173.jpg

[joegts]

Mine Shows both ... You know you can scroll down the list joe??

It has everthing but battery charge? maybe hsv and ss have different options

[GazzSS]

ooo maybe...

[GazzSS]

It has everthing but battery charge? maybe hsv and ss have different options

Just thinking about this Joe... Dont you have 3 gauges in your cab ?? and 1 shows battery charge? or is it ampage?

[joegts]

gauge shows voltage.

[redvess]

It has everthing but battery charge? maybe hsv and ss have different options

I'm going to say its a software update due to the failing VE battery's cos mine's an 06 model and doesn't have it either

[GazzSS]

In my first pic you can see the actual softwear version.. my utes only 2 months old so should be the latest??

[redvess]

I'd say so cos mine just says 014.019.133 for the software version

[spank]

my 07 Grange doesnt show battery charge either, just volts. im wondering what the point of the oil % is, as mine has never been reset as far as i know and it was on zero, but i didnt have any warning on the dash that it was the case, im assuming as far as the car was concerned it had never been serviced?

[joegts]

software version I have is 013.015.097.

[hsvazz]

I have an 08 E1 R8 and mine shows battery charge and volts.

[joegts]

I think i will go to Holden for software update . My Warranty expired 2 weeks ago, I have no idea what they charge:confused:

[steves87]

I there anyway to get instant fuel on the primary screen without having to be in eng mode? it is on the primary screen in the calais right?

[moconn20]

I there anyway to get instant fuel on the primary screen without having to be in eng mode? it is on the primary screen in the calais right?

no, and yes.

[quityabitchn]

this is awesome guys thanks for the heads up!

[HoldenOnn]

Love finding out info like this. I will be giving this a go on the Missus' VE ex cop Omega soon.

[smitheyes]

Sweeet.
gonna check this out as soon as i knock off work tonight.

mines an 06 caprice battery problems a couple of times will see if i can get the software updated if its not showing battery % or Voltage

[HoldenOnn]

Sweeet.
gonna check this out as soon as i knock off work tonight.

mines an 06 caprice battery problems a couple of times will see if i can get the software updated if its not showing battery % or Voltage

Have you had the harness in the B Pillar checked for water damage. This is common for VE's and my missus' VE Omega just had the harness changed as it was rusted and allowed for discharging of the battery somehow once the car was locked and left overnight.

The fix was replacing some or part of the harness and a new grommet installed. Over time, the VE's have had this issue and a new grommet material and style has been designed and once replaced, this issue is hopefully fixed for good.

[smitheyes]

wow just got home and had a look

in engineering mode the caprice has......

software version (010.012.089)
GM Part No.(92198639)
Battery Voltage (11.9v)
Instant Fuel
Coolant Temperature (20.3 deg)
Speed
Tacho
Tyre Pressure (00000)..has sensors so no idea about the zero's
Engine Oil Life (was 0% reset it to 99% as posted)
Park Lamps (on/off) dont know why youd want this?
Switch voltage (4.3v)..dont know what this is?
Current Gear (P)
Throttle Position (18.8% car not running, 99.6% at wot)
Trans sump temp (20 deg)
Self test (initiate this and EVERYTHING on the dash iluminates)

sooo cooool
Love It

if anybody knows what the tyre pressure sensors show if abnormal or otherwise can u let me know please...i know that when i scroll through the dash displays "tyre pressure normal" 0-normal 1-abnormal ??? binary? might have to let one down to see!

[smokey777]

no, and yes.

so is it no or yes :D

[moconn20]

so is it no or yes :D

he asked 2 questions, i gave 2 answers

[steves87]

he asked 2 questions, i gave 2 answers

i understood;)

thought maybe it was a tech2 job that was possible

[smokey777]

ok got it now lol

[NeishaVESS]

Have you had the harness in the B Pillar checked for water damage. This is common for VE's and my missus' VE Omega just had the harness changed as it was rusted and allowed for discharging of the battery somehow once the car was locked and left overnight.

The fix was replacing some or part of the harness and a new grommet installed. Over time, the VE's have had this issue and a new grommet material and style has been designed and once replaced, this issue is hopefully fixed for good.

It is a common problem but mainly on ex cop cars as you have, problem is when the lights are removed the 4 holes right above the b pillar aren't plugged up, all that is done is a new drip rail mould is installed to make it look neat but water can still enter, there is 4 8mm holes on each side of the car...

[ryno]

It is a common problem but mainly on ex cop cars as you have, problem is when the lights are removed the 4 holes right above the b pillar aren't plugged up, all that is done is a new drip rail mould is installed to make it look neat but water can still enter, there is 4 8mm holes on each side of the car...

It would depend on how the lights on a cop car are mounted, they could be different from state to state as they all have different lights and bracket systems...

[Wonky]

FWIW on my MY9.5 SSV ute holding down the scroll button does NOT get you into engineering mode. You also have to hold down the top button next to the scroll wheel at the same time (bloody awkward for me with my disabilities :nutkick:).