Oil Change Interval
Member
Joined: 01-14-2007
Posts: 51
From: Spring Hill, Fl
Dealer Recommendations
I had some of the same questions, how long between oil changes, non-synthetic or synthetic, etc. Went to the dealer where I purchased, and yes this particular dealers service is highly recommended in the area, to ask their recommendations. Service advisor said since the HHR is not a hi performance engine it doesn't really take advantage of the synthetic oils. His recommendation was the regular oil they use, think it is Mobil, and the GM recommended additive. Change interval should be 5k. I am thinking of going with this. Personally I was also the 3k mind set. Prior to HHR I had a 2000GMC Jimmy and I changed oil every 3k with the oil additive the local GMC dealer used and the one time, about 90k, that the engine had to be opened up, bad intake gaskets, they said the engine was clean as a whistle. I just think regular changes of oil is the key. 3-5k should be good. Only my opinion.
Platinum Member
Joined: 05-09-2006
Posts: 6,805
From: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
I had some of the same questions, how long between oil changes, non-synthetic or synthetic, etc. Went to the dealer where I purchased, and yes this particular dealers service is highly recommended in the area, to ask their recommendations. Service advisor said since the HHR is not a hi performance engine it doesn't really take advantage of the synthetic oils. His recommendation was the regular oil they use, think it is Mobil, and the GM recommended additive. Change interval should be 5k. I am thinking of going with this. Personally I was also the 3k mind set. Prior to HHR I had a 2000GMC Jimmy and I changed oil every 3k with the oil additive the local GMC dealer used and the one time, about 90k, that the engine had to be opened up, bad intake gaskets, they said the engine was clean as a whistle. I just think regular changes of oil is the key. 3-5k should be good. Only my opinion.
personally, based on the responses you received from your Service Advisor/Dealer. I would either look for another dealer or ask them to explain their statements, WITH PROOF. At least twice they informed you incorrectly, if you posted their statements correctly.
Service Advisor advise on synthetic oil is probably an opinion based on limited, if any, knowledge/information. It is not fact. Although GM does use synthetic oils in "high performance" vehicles, it is not strictly limited to that application. Without going into detail, you can do a little research and find a completely different opinion, based on tests and facts. But, you do what you think is best.
And your dealer recommended an OIL ADDITIVE for every oil change, starting from new??? I would ask them to comment on the very clear statement in your Owners Manual that says NO OIL ADDITIVES ARE NEEDED. If the oil additive is used and you have a failure related to oil, will GM provide warranty coverage?? Understand this clearly...WILL GM PROVIDE WARRANTY COVERAGE....NOT THE DEALER. If a "problem" occurs while on a vacation, for example, the DEALERS warranty is essentially worthless.
And finally, why 5000 miles change interval?? Why not 3000, or 7000, or what your OLI indicates?? What are they basing their statement on? Just interested in these statements because they do seem to be incorrect..
Your dealer/service advisor, in my opinion, is typical. Not completely trustworthy.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-30-2006
Posts: 9,149
From: Maryland Heights, MO
I love these oil change threads!
Can we start a new one on intakes, mufflers, and dynos?
I know and agree that new people should be able to ask these tired old topics, but the answers are always the same. In other words, dozens of differing opinions, none all correct, and none all wrong.
The best answer is what YOU or I feel best doing. 3K, 5K, 7K or the DIC, just change the damn oil on a regular basis and all will be happy. especially your HHR!
Man do I need to switch to decaf!
Can we start a new one on intakes, mufflers, and dynos?
I know and agree that new people should be able to ask these tired old topics, but the answers are always the same. In other words, dozens of differing opinions, none all correct, and none all wrong.
The best answer is what YOU or I feel best doing. 3K, 5K, 7K or the DIC, just change the damn oil on a regular basis and all will be happy. especially your HHR!
Man do I need to switch to decaf!
Banned
Joined: 10-24-2006
Posts: 1,761
From: The Show-Me State
*yawn*
Yet another oil change interval thread...
We'd really avoid these if new people would use the forum search feature or it GM would put the following in the owner's manual:
Dear new (model of car) owner,
Your new vehicle is equipped with the GM Oil Life Monitoring System. While your car is indeed new to you, the GM Oil Life Monitoring System has been in production for well over a decade and is the product of many years and millions of dollars in testing in carefully controlled and monitored conditions by people who probably have more engineering degrees than you have teeth. In addition to reducing the interval of oil changes and the resulting appearance of more money in your wallet, less waste oil will be released back into the environment and that will greatly aid our present pollution situation if everyone would use the indicator that's been included with your vehicles.
Yet another oil change interval thread...
We'd really avoid these if new people would use the forum search feature or it GM would put the following in the owner's manual:
Dear new (model of car) owner,
Your new vehicle is equipped with the GM Oil Life Monitoring System. While your car is indeed new to you, the GM Oil Life Monitoring System has been in production for well over a decade and is the product of many years and millions of dollars in testing in carefully controlled and monitored conditions by people who probably have more engineering degrees than you have teeth. In addition to reducing the interval of oil changes and the resulting appearance of more money in your wallet, less waste oil will be released back into the environment and that will greatly aid our present pollution situation if everyone would use the indicator that's been included with your vehicles.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-2006
Posts: 732
From: Pottstown, PA
*yawn*
Yet another oil change interval thread...
We'd really avoid these if new people would use the forum search feature or it GM would put the following in the owner's manual:
Dear new (model of car) owner,
Your new vehicle is equipped with the GM Oil Life Monitoring System. While your car is indeed new to you, the GM Oil Life Monitoring System has been in production for well over a decade and is the product of many years and millions of dollars in testing in carefully controlled and monitored conditions by people who probably have more engineering degrees than you have teeth. In addition to reducing the interval of oil changes and the resulting appearance of more money in your wallet, less waste oil will be released back into the environment and that will greatly aid our present pollution situation if everyone would use the indicator that's been included with your vehicles.
Yet another oil change interval thread...
We'd really avoid these if new people would use the forum search feature or it GM would put the following in the owner's manual:
Dear new (model of car) owner,
Your new vehicle is equipped with the GM Oil Life Monitoring System. While your car is indeed new to you, the GM Oil Life Monitoring System has been in production for well over a decade and is the product of many years and millions of dollars in testing in carefully controlled and monitored conditions by people who probably have more engineering degrees than you have teeth. In addition to reducing the interval of oil changes and the resulting appearance of more money in your wallet, less waste oil will be released back into the environment and that will greatly aid our present pollution situation if everyone would use the indicator that's been included with your vehicles.
Can we sticky just this post???
Platinum Member
Joined: 05-09-2006
Posts: 6,805
From: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
I'm in agreement with everyone who posted about "another oil change thread". But you know, if the Mods or Administration is not going to organize and consolidate these type of endless "NEW" threads, I'll continue to post "challenging" questions
Even if I swore I would not respond to another.
Even if I swore I would not respond to another.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-27-2007
Posts: 143
From: 3rd rock from the sun
This same "dilemma" takes place in other vehicle forums, too. People who love synthetic, swear by synthetic. I've only just now switched one of my vehicles to it. So before that, for my entire driving life, I've used conventional oil and have never had an engine failure. I'm on my 12th vehicle I think, and I change my oil between 3 and 4K miles myself. So is synthetic really necessary for me? Probably not. I'm using it in my truck as an experiment, but that's the only reason. Sure, tests may prove this or that about synthetic, but I rack up between 100 and 150k miles on a car, and then I usually get a new one, because I'm either tired of the old one, or other stuff on it, besides the engine, is wearing out.
The same can be said about doctors. Some tell you to do this, others, that. I'm still alive, aren't I? Go figure...
The same can be said about doctors. Some tell you to do this, others, that. I'm still alive, aren't I? Go figure...
Senior Member
Joined: 08-17-2006
Posts: 1,851
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I'm in agreement with everyone who posted about "another oil change thread". But you know, if the Mods or Administration is not going to organize and consolidate these type of endless "NEW" threads, I'll continue to post "challenging" questions
Even if I swore I would not respond to another.
Even if I swore I would not respond to another.
