I've always used conventional oils in my cars and bikes but I'm thinking of switching to synthetic in my '08 Panel. Is there any special flushing or other procedures I need to follow to switch, or do I simply drain out the conventional and fill up with synthetic?

Also, any brand of synthetic better than the others or are they all pretty much the same?

Thanks in advance

 

drain and fill, I use mobil 1 5w 30, wal mart 5 qt. jug is around 21.00, auot store seem to only have 4 qt. jug for about same price

 

I do the same thing. I've been using Mobil1 since 9000 on the HHR. The first oil change was a freebe by the dealer who used conventional oil.

 

I have used AMSOIL for years and like it. They don't make an oil filter as of yet so I use the NAPA gold filter. I change the filter every 5000 miles and change the oil every 20,000. If they ever make an oil filter for the 2.2, 2.4 you wont have to change it for 25,000 miles.

 

Napa Gold Filter, 15,000 mile Castrol Syntec.....

I change both oil and filter at 10,000 miles

If the auto manufacturer's think it's good enough to run in BMW's, Volvo's, etc....it's good enough for me.....LOL

Cajun

 

There is no need for synthetic in the non-turbo Ecotec.

 

If you do change to synthetic,do it before 60-65,000 miles.The oil manufacturers deem that there's been sufficient wear in engines at that point to make increased oil consumption a problem upon a switch to synthetic oil.Synthetic oil flows more freely than mineral based oil(for a given viscosity) so it tends to get past valve seals and piston rings easier than mineral based oil.

 

There is never a "need" for synthetic oil, it's more of a "want" thing. Do you want better gas mileage? Do you want extended drain intervals? Do you your engine to wear less? Although there may be no "need", when I was given a tour of the pits by the GM Ecotech Racing Team, they used synthetic oil exclusively.
I' ve been using Amsoil 0W-30 Signature series. It has been in since June and has about 5000 miles. Gas mileage went from 19.5 up to 23, HOWEVER, this also coincided with kids getting out of school, record gas prices keeping people off the road. Now that it is back to school time, I'm hoping to get a more exact mileage, maybe a little less.
You should not have to flush the engine if there is not much mileage. The synthetic oil will clean any sludge or deposits out of your engine. If the oil appears dirty, change just the filter, and the oil will clean itself up again.

 

Also, not all synthetics are the same. A few years ago some oil manufacturer started using petroleum base stock instead of making from scratch.

 

Do you know which ones did this? This wouldn't happen to be Pennzoil/Quaker State would it?