Switching to synthetic oil.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-04-2012
Posts: 1,548
From: Dedham Maine
For what it's worth, I tried synthetic oil (can't remember the mileage nor the brand but it was when the car had maybe 60,000 miles or maybe a bit more). I have since gone back to regular oil, as the car drank that synthetic like it was a fine wine. It didn't leak it at all, but used over a quart of synthetic in probably less than 2-3000 miles. And I never noticed any smoke out the exhaust, so where it went I have no idea.
Prior to the synthetic it used maybe a quarter inch on the dipstick over 4-5000 miles. It took 2 conventional oil changes for the oil consumption to get back to normal.
Prior to the synthetic it used maybe a quarter inch on the dipstick over 4-5000 miles. It took 2 conventional oil changes for the oil consumption to get back to normal.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-13-2008
Posts: 4,708
From: Washington State, where it rains
Syn oil has smaller molecules then dino oil..with that said, if there is any wear on your eng and seals the syn will find a way to get thru it...alot of times the oil consumption is due to worn valve guides and seals on high mileage vehicles..you wont see it out the tail pipe unless its night and you jump on it and have headlights behind you, then you'll see the cloud in the mirror..though with modern cars this should not be the case below 100k miles.. so the previous owner may not have kept up with things..Rings that weren't broken (seated) in correctly will do this too..now on older motors stepping up a grade or two helps, like going to a 10w40 or a 20w50 oil..but dont know how this would work with the newer tighter motors....
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Good points there IgottaWoody - yeah years ago, as my cars got higher mileage on them, I would step up a grade or two on the oil. But I don't know how well that would work with the newer closer tolerance engines like you said.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-13-2008
Posts: 4,708
From: Washington State, where it rains
yes,,same as non syn....depends on the maker..Does it matter to the average guy? Nope..they all accomplish the same thing. Modern oils are rocket science, cant go wrong with any choice unless its some off name recycled green oil. Now if your running some exotic motors then of course you'll want to absolute best of everything,,if you can afford the motor you can afford the oil. Everyday driver thats stock from the factory? makes no sense..MB1 is probably the best of the shelf brands that wont break your pocket. But any brand will work just fine. Personal preference and all that. face it..most people never see over 3 maybe 4k rpms, and if they do its sporadic..any eng on any oil can handle this..now if your wanting to run down the freeway at 6 grand for lengthy miles..better have something thats not going to break down with the heat. Just remember that when asking questions like this that some people are so set in their ways that nothing else can even compare. They wont even consider an alternative. So do whats best for you and how you drive...its been a long long time since anybody has heard of an engine failure due to the type of oil used. Metals and design are much better and controlled, and so are oils.
Joined: 11-27-2011
Posts: 6
From: Saranac Lake, NY
Filters on newer 2011 HHR LT2
Hi, I have a 2011 HHR 2LT, bought it in 2011 with 8,530 miles on it. Now it has 14,850 miles after 16 months! Obviously I dont get out much, lol.
Questions, even though it is nearly new, should I have the air filter changed, the cabin filter changed?
Also, read on here about changing oil filters more often then engine oil?? I use synthetic oil, not sure what it is, will have to look. I am young old lady (senior citizen), have a mechanic I trust. He is cute also, not that you "Guys" care!
Any info would be most appreciated. Hope my HHR avatar shows up on here.
cariapat
Questions, even though it is nearly new, should I have the air filter changed, the cabin filter changed?
Also, read on here about changing oil filters more often then engine oil?? I use synthetic oil, not sure what it is, will have to look. I am young old lady (senior citizen), have a mechanic I trust. He is cute also, not that you "Guys" care!
Any info would be most appreciated. Hope my HHR avatar shows up on here.
cariapat
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Here lets get less opinion and more facts in the way.
http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html
Oil for years for some people has become a religion and often opinion has become fact and fact often becomes opinion.
The only way to really know the truth is to read up on the topic and be informed. Know the truths and know the items that get twisted by some MFG to their needs.
The bottom line is Syn oils have changed and adapted over the years and is more than able to handle the needs of todays engine. It is better than Dino oils in many ways and the cost is not bad once you understand you can go 8,000 with no issues on it. I expect all cars even the lower models will soon have syn oil standard.
The fact many new engines not only will be turbo charged but also the oils is used to adjust the VVT in most engine and other hydraulic items. It is not just cultivation anymore. Todays oil is dealing with turbo heat and also cooling pistons with oil squirters to the underside on the Ecotech and new GM LT engines. A lot is being asked of these oil and for a few bucks more you can get a lot better product.
I use it in my old cars and yes in some cases it can leak more but there are high mileage oils that have additives that address seals and gaskets on most older engines if it is an issue. Odds are it was leaking dino oil anyways.
http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html
Oil for years for some people has become a religion and often opinion has become fact and fact often becomes opinion.
The only way to really know the truth is to read up on the topic and be informed. Know the truths and know the items that get twisted by some MFG to their needs.
The bottom line is Syn oils have changed and adapted over the years and is more than able to handle the needs of todays engine. It is better than Dino oils in many ways and the cost is not bad once you understand you can go 8,000 with no issues on it. I expect all cars even the lower models will soon have syn oil standard.
The fact many new engines not only will be turbo charged but also the oils is used to adjust the VVT in most engine and other hydraulic items. It is not just cultivation anymore. Todays oil is dealing with turbo heat and also cooling pistons with oil squirters to the underside on the Ecotech and new GM LT engines. A lot is being asked of these oil and for a few bucks more you can get a lot better product.
I use it in my old cars and yes in some cases it can leak more but there are high mileage oils that have additives that address seals and gaskets on most older engines if it is an issue. Odds are it was leaking dino oil anyways.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-20-2012
Posts: 292
From: Dallas, TX
I run Valvoline conventional currently in my HHR, sending a sample off to Blackstone to find out my usage and get their recommendation on mileage...then I'll figure out if I want to change to synthetic.
I DO run Royal Purple in my turbo 240, and I love it. I don't have any hard evidence, but it seems to rev smoother, and handles the high rpm's much better. Cools my turbo more efficiently, although I still let my turbo timer run down. I'm sure it's worth it...but it is more expensive. I think my last oil change on it was about $80...thankfully, it doesn't need them very often.
I DO run Royal Purple in my turbo 240, and I love it. I don't have any hard evidence, but it seems to rev smoother, and handles the high rpm's much better. Cools my turbo more efficiently, although I still let my turbo timer run down. I'm sure it's worth it...but it is more expensive. I think my last oil change on it was about $80...thankfully, it doesn't need them very often.