Which brand of engine oil did you choose?
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On my '09 I bought it with a service contract for 3/36, LOF and tire rotation every 3000-3500 miles, so I took it in regularly. Traded it in and now have 2000 miles on my '11. When the OLM gets down to around 10% I'm gonna change the oil and have full synthetic put in. Then I'm gonna drive a year (about 10K miles) 'til the next oil change.
There are some threads aroud the site that have discussed this as well, so use the site search feature if you want to read up on it. You can also go to bobistheoilguy.com for some research.
There are some threads aroud the site that have discussed this as well, so use the site search feature if you want to read up on it. You can also go to bobistheoilguy.com for some research.
I have the 2.4 engine. I run Amsoil synthetics in everything I own. Amsoil does not make a filter for this engine yet, so I bought a case of wix filters for it. I will probably change the filters every 5000 miles and the oil at 15,000 miles depending on oil analysis results. I log over 30,000 miles a year and have been doing it this way for over 15 years. I've never had a engine failure or problem doing it this way so I will continue to do it this way until something better comes along. I'm sure some will have opinions of why not to do it this way, but I'll trust the oil analysis labs results over someone that thinks they know about oil or what their dad or grandfather told them.
How much is the oil analysis, and who does it - a county extension or private firm?
I buy the kits though Amsoil and send it out, It's about 25.00 each time. I find a baseline on oil change and filter intervals then I send it out once a year for piece of mind. It's really nice for the boat, I have it done every season trying to detect problems ahead of time. We did this when I was in the Military on our bigger trucks as well. Here's a link:
http://www.oaitesting.com/prices_automotive_fleet.htm
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Not sure on what kind other than regular recommended oil from GM. My dealership gives free oil changes for the life of ownership for the Malibu or any car you buy from them.
At what interval? Is that based off a set mileage or the oil life monitor system?
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I use synthetics in all the cars. Amsoil in the Camaro and Pennzoil in the Speed3 and Malibu.
The only reason I see to use a synthetic in a passenger car is to extend the OCI. I don't drive enough to worry about that, at 6 months I'm only at 3k miles and I wouldn't want to extend my OCI while the vehicle is in full warranty.
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Synthetic oil is better for the engine, that is the bottom line. Even if you are only at 3k in 6 months I would change the oil. My rule of thumb is 5K or 6 months. Oil changes are so cheap, it is not worth extending them too long or not using good oil.
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We put alot of miles on our cars. I signed up for that valvoline guarantee, full synthetic, 300k miles, but after 2 oil changes i realized that changing it every 3k miles like it says to id be changing it every 5-6 weeks, so i changed it to 5k miles, with just a fram filter. Oil is still pretty clean after 5k. oh and its the 2.4l
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I run valvoline full synthetic with purolator pure one filters in my ecotec. I want to run amsoil, but I have been lazy and haven't ordered any yet.
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Mobil 1 and Delco filter for both the Bu and Burban... Change out the oil at ~6k on the Bu and 5K on the Burban. I get an oil analysis from Blackstone Labs after each change to make sure metals are in check. Could probably stretch out the changes longer but I really think oil changes are cheap insurance.
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Most GM dealers go by Oil Monitor Systems Percentage. I have had them change it before the System Indication. My dealer also puts the reminder sticker to change oil on the window which is calculated at every 5000 miles. If you go by the Oil Monitor System you can go way beyond 5000 miles. I have been told that with today’s cars and the new technology, not only the car but with the oil refineries, it is a waste of money to change every 3000 miles. Personally, I have been up in the air, so to speak on this issue but I think that it is ok for newer cars today. Any older cars or cars with high mileage I don’t agree on this new status of when/should change the oil. I would do every 3000 miles with older/high mileage vehicles!
PS. My 1999 pick-up truck that is up there in mileage gets the oil done every 3000 miles with Synthetic and would not dare to even wait to change at the new standards!
I do change at 6 months. This time the actual mileage was 2,774.
I think it would be a waste to dump a premium synthetic with that little of mileage.
At my current driving rate it will take me about 17 years to reach 100k miles and I believe any API rated conventional oil that meets GM's standards will get me there.
PBoy,
True.
But what SilverLTZ said also has validity. Synthetic is much slipperier and has other benefits. You get slightly better fuel mileage with it and slightly better performance. Some folks can actually tell the difference.
A manager at work and I were talking a few weeks back about full syn oil. He changed the oil in his girlfriend's car and didn't mention it was full syn. A while later (about a week) she said the engine seemed to start easier and she's getting better mileage, based on how far she usually drives on a tank. Once I switch over to full syn I'll be able to tell people on here if I notice it or not, and I'll try to be objective. I don't sell the stuff and don't want to promote it if I don't actually believe it's doing what it says, but I expect it will based on comments here and elsewhere.
Ultimately it's your decision, and I'm sure you'll make one you can live with without regret. Just want you to have as many facts and as much input as possible so your decision is based on verifiable information. Who knows, you just might choose to do one oil change just to see how it goes and make your mind up after that on whether or not to do it again.
True.
But what SilverLTZ said also has validity. Synthetic is much slipperier and has other benefits. You get slightly better fuel mileage with it and slightly better performance. Some folks can actually tell the difference.
A manager at work and I were talking a few weeks back about full syn oil. He changed the oil in his girlfriend's car and didn't mention it was full syn. A while later (about a week) she said the engine seemed to start easier and she's getting better mileage, based on how far she usually drives on a tank. Once I switch over to full syn I'll be able to tell people on here if I notice it or not, and I'll try to be objective. I don't sell the stuff and don't want to promote it if I don't actually believe it's doing what it says, but I expect it will based on comments here and elsewhere.
Ultimately it's your decision, and I'm sure you'll make one you can live with without regret. Just want you to have as many facts and as much input as possible so your decision is based on verifiable information. Who knows, you just might choose to do one oil change just to see how it goes and make your mind up after that on whether or not to do it again.
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You can use whatever oil you like. BUT, why not spend the extra $25 and get synthetic? It is better for the engine, and it is cheap. So I don't understand why someone wouldn't use it. Especially since you would only need to change it about twice a year....I do change at 6 months. This time the actual mileage was 2,774.
I think it would be a waste to dump a premium synthetic with that little of mileage.
At my current driving rate it will take me about 17 years to reach 100k miles and I believe any API rated conventional oil that meets GM's standards will get me there.
I certainly think there's applications that call for synthetics especially for the people who want to extend OCI's due to high mileage requirements, but for the "average" daily commuter I think any API oil that meets the GM6094 standard who does 5k miles/6 month OCI's will be fine.
It's not a guess anymore, as suggested in this thread UOA's show wear materials.
Practically all peripheral components will be shot before you experience the benefit of a oil related internal engine component failure by using synthetics over a modern conventional oil at the OCI suggested above.
I've heard the fuel consumption argument before, but could not find any documentation except articles sponsored by synthetic distributors. Do you have a link?
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I change mine every 8k miles, or roughly every 3-4 months, just using good ole Pennzoil dino oil and AC delco filter. I don't see any need to use expensive synthetic or fancy filters for a commuter car that's 90% highway miles. If it meets the GM standard, then that's good enough for me. I get 32 mpg usually, and it's not like I'm looking for greater performance from my Malibu. Those two words shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence, lol.
I put roughly 30k a year on my commuter. Now on my turbo 240, that's a different story...
I put roughly 30k a year on my commuter. Now on my turbo 240, that's a different story...
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