2016 Chevrolet Colorado - Does it know which oil I have?

My 2016 Chevrolet Colorado has an “Engine Oil Life System” that tells me how much life my oil has left and when to change it. The manual says that “This is based on a combination of factors which include engine revolutions, engine temperature, and miles driven.” Based on your column, I have started using synthetic oil, which should last much longer than traditional oil. I recently wondered, does my Colorado know whether it is full of the former or the latter? If it doesn’t, does it assume traditional, or synthetic, or does it split the difference? Should I believe my Colorado, or might it be playing loosey-goosey with the truth?

It does not know what oil you put in. It does not split the difference. It is designed for the minimum spec for the required oil as defined in your owners manual.

Just use the trucks calculation while you use synthetic oil as it will provide you with the safest change interval.

Engine oil for this engine is supposed to meet the Dexos spec