Yea, I'm dumb at this stuff, but do you have to use Synthetic oil in 2011 HHR?? I normally get oil changed every 4 to 5,000 miles, so is it ok to just use reqular oil (not synthetic) ?

 

LS or LT, No.

SS, Yes.

Read youre Owners Manual. If you don't have one. Get one. It's also printed right on your oil fill cap under the hood what oil you should use.

 

2011 uses Dexos 1 or equivalent or your powertrain warranty could be voided.

 

Curious, is that synthetic oil? Was that changed with the 09 and up Flex Fuel models?

 

I think ChevyMgr meant 2011 model year onward uses the Dexos1. Once I heard this I started using the Dexos1 in my 2009 as well. Figured GM found it was better than the regular oil when using the oil life monitor system. As far as I know there have been no significant changes to the 2.2 engines since 2009.

My understanding is the Dexos1 is a blend.

 

I always used full synthetic on my 2007 HHR

 

I would guess that dexos1 is okay for a 2006 HHR?

 

Dexos1 is semi-synthetic blend (mix ratio unknown and not told to us). It is required for all gasoline engines from 2011 and newer, except for some 2013's that must use Dexos2. GM also recommends it for all their gasoline engines on 2010 and older (including ones that were required to use Mobil1).

There are no longer any Mobil1 oil caps on most 2011 and all 2012 and newer vehicles.

I think the reason for the change is the extremely high amount of internal engine failures, which I think is caused by the OLM systems. I am talking rings, pistons, chains etc... Regular oil cannot go 12-14,000 miles between oil changes, yet it is not uncommon at all to see this on a lot of models coming in.

I had to hire another engine tech just to keep up with all the failures. Most are related to V6 and V8 engines. But we do a lot of balance shaft chains, gears and related cam work on 4 cylinder engines too.

 

This site has links to licensed brands that meets Dexos1 and Dexos2 requirements.

http://www.gmdexos.com/licensedbrands.html

If the oil you use is not on the list, it is either because they haven't ponied up to pay for the license or it doesn't meet the critera.

 

gee that is some list, so just to confirm my 2007 should be using the in it's 2.2 litre LS model 4 cyl?