So I decided not to do my regular 5k miles OCI. I run M1 0W20 and drive mostly highway, and I'm @ 38.8k miles on the car with 8.8k miles on this oil. I got the usual flashing CEL / MIL after 5-6k miles (can't remb), but this time I never reset it because I know what it is and, well, I never remembered to do it before starting the car and didn't feel like shutting her off to do it (repeated cold starts = no good). Just today on the way back from the gym, the CEL / MIL came on steady. I was having a little mild-mannered fun, doing about 88 MPH on the highway. I usually drive < 80 MPH because I go for mileage.
Never had a problem with the car, I've had it for close to 9 months, purchased it @ 18.8k miles and put 20k miles on it since January. I had a bad O2 sensor once which was replaced under warranty, and that was the extent of issues. I take great care of my vehicles, always keep them in top mechanical shape.
So my question is: now that I'm [just] out of warranty, should I be expecting a lot of problems with this car? I thought these engines were pretty much bullet-proof and would run on water if needed. I take the other extreme and give it only the best. I never abused it in any way (you can tell by the fact that I'm averaging 32.0 MPG over 20k miles). ~3k of the 8.8k miles on this oil came in 5 days, a roadtrip FLA <-> Indianapolis (F1 race).
Does the flashing CEL / MIL which indicates that it's time to change the oil change into a steady light after ~3k miles or something, or is something really wrong with the engine? It drives perfect, idle is rock-steady like the day I bought it, everything works as it should, no issues.
Should I get a code reader? What's recommended? I'm pretty handy around cars/engines and am not a fan of stealers (unless under warranty). I miss my '00 Passat which would actually give a short message on the MFD ("brake pads", "O2 sensor", "hey doofus, you forgot to tighten the friggin gas cap! you should get a smack for that!" -- alright, that last one is fake, but the car would say something if you did). But I'm extremely busy these days so I may have to bite the bullet.
P.S. I'm walking to the car right now to see how much oil is in it (it's been about 30 min since I shut her off).
