Assuming your oil life monitor is the same as my 08 Malibu, it don't go by miles driven. It looks at engine RPM's and oil temperature to determine oil life. Right now my oil life is at 24% and I have 7400 miles since last oil change. The only reason I've let it go this many miles is that I'm running Mobil1 syn oil. I will be changing oil at 7500. I would suggest that as soon as you get your frist 2000 miles on the factory oil, change to Mobil1 with the Mobil1 oil filter or a K/N oil filter, then go by oil life. I think 7500-10000 miles is enough miles for syn. oil. P.S. you'll love the car. We do.