Three questions going from oil, gas, and snow conditions!
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Joined: 06-11-07
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Three questions going from oil, gas, and snow conditions!
Hey everyone, I go to college where it snows (Flagstaff, AZ) and for the past six days it has not stopped snowing. I have to drive to work in these horrid conditions, and I have gotten stuck, or skidded out multiple times so far. I know I have front wheel drive and I heard its remarkable in snow. Anyway, is there anyone here with a cobalt SS that livers in snow and has some tips for me?
Second question, do I *NEED* to use synthetic oil when I go for an oil change? I am not car savy so I cant change oil myself. I would take it to the chevy dealer to do it and I heard a synthetic oil change is like $65-70. So I was wondering if I really needed to use synthetic? If I dont, I would just get a regular oil change for like $20.
Third question, is premium gas also needed for my car? premium gas is $3.23 a gallon. While I dont mind paying that much due to my job, was just wondering if premium is NEEDED, or if I can just use regular and get away with it.
I know most answers for questions two and three will be stuff like "live with the expenses, you chose them by buying this car" etc etc. But my paycheck recently was shorter then I expected and I REALLY need an oil change soon, so I was wondering if I could skimp out on the most powerful stuff.
Thanks!!!
Second question, do I *NEED* to use synthetic oil when I go for an oil change? I am not car savy so I cant change oil myself. I would take it to the chevy dealer to do it and I heard a synthetic oil change is like $65-70. So I was wondering if I really needed to use synthetic? If I dont, I would just get a regular oil change for like $20.
Third question, is premium gas also needed for my car? premium gas is $3.23 a gallon. While I dont mind paying that much due to my job, was just wondering if premium is NEEDED, or if I can just use regular and get away with it.
I know most answers for questions two and three will be stuff like "live with the expenses, you chose them by buying this car" etc etc. But my paycheck recently was shorter then I expected and I REALLY need an oil change soon, so I was wondering if I could skimp out on the most powerful stuff.
Thanks!!!
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 06-11-07
Posts: 39
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
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Joined: 09-22-06
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From: nowheresville
dont skimp on oil and gas. tires would help, those 3 combined are gonna be alot less than the repair bill for a new engine, body work, etc.
Ps, buy your own synthetic oil and have the dealership change it for you. They will do it for you. Man i love working at a dealership. $12 oil change FTW!!
Ps, buy your own synthetic oil and have the dealership change it for you. They will do it for you. Man i love working at a dealership. $12 oil change FTW!!
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Joined: 02-27-06
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From: Rochester, NY
You do need to run premium fuel. Idk if you have an ss or an ss/sc but both manuals reccomend a minimum octane rating of 91. You can cause serious damage to your motor if you run regular in a car that requires premium.
Generally, rule of thumb is that once you switch to synthetic (or in your case, your car came with it) you should stay with synthetic. chances are your oil life meter on you driver information center is based off of synthetic oil. That being said, I still wouldn't go to 0%, I usually change mine around 30-50% oil life.
Being that you live in flagstaff, i doubt you guys see too much snow. Up north where we see snow regularly, I run a winter tire to help with traction in the snow. Seeing as how that doesn't really make sense for you to spend the money on winter tires for the amount of snow you see, I wouldn't reccomend that. Your only real option is to take it very slow. Accelerate slow and cut your speed around corners to about half of what you would normally do. Also, plan to brake 3-4 times earlier, just to make sure you don't hit anyone. If all else fails get up to about 35-40 in an open parking lot, crank the wheel, yank the e-brake, and have some fun!
Generally, rule of thumb is that once you switch to synthetic (or in your case, your car came with it) you should stay with synthetic. chances are your oil life meter on you driver information center is based off of synthetic oil. That being said, I still wouldn't go to 0%, I usually change mine around 30-50% oil life.
Being that you live in flagstaff, i doubt you guys see too much snow. Up north where we see snow regularly, I run a winter tire to help with traction in the snow. Seeing as how that doesn't really make sense for you to spend the money on winter tires for the amount of snow you see, I wouldn't reccomend that. Your only real option is to take it very slow. Accelerate slow and cut your speed around corners to about half of what you would normally do. Also, plan to brake 3-4 times earlier, just to make sure you don't hit anyone. If all else fails get up to about 35-40 in an open parking lot, crank the wheel, yank the e-brake, and have some fun!
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 06-11-07
Posts: 39
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
You do need to run premium fuel. Idk if you have an ss or an ss/sc but both manuals reccomend a minimum octane rating of 91. You can cause serious damage to your motor if you run regular in a car that requires premium.
Generally, rule of thumb is that once you switch to synthetic (or in your case, your car came with it) you should stay with synthetic. chances are your oil life meter on you driver information center is based off of synthetic oil. That being said, I still wouldn't go to 0%, I usually change mine around 30-50% oil life.
Being that you live in flagstaff, i doubt you guys see too much snow. Up north where we see snow regularly, I run a winter tire to help with traction in the snow. Seeing as how that doesn't really make sense for you to spend the money on winter tires for the amount of snow you see, I wouldn't reccomend that. Your only real option is to take it very slow. Accelerate slow and cut your speed around corners to about half of what you would normally do. Also, plan to brake 3-4 times earlier, just to make sure you don't hit anyone. If all else fails get up to about 35-40 in an open parking lot, crank the wheel, yank the e-brake, and have some fun!
Generally, rule of thumb is that once you switch to synthetic (or in your case, your car came with it) you should stay with synthetic. chances are your oil life meter on you driver information center is based off of synthetic oil. That being said, I still wouldn't go to 0%, I usually change mine around 30-50% oil life.
Being that you live in flagstaff, i doubt you guys see too much snow. Up north where we see snow regularly, I run a winter tire to help with traction in the snow. Seeing as how that doesn't really make sense for you to spend the money on winter tires for the amount of snow you see, I wouldn't reccomend that. Your only real option is to take it very slow. Accelerate slow and cut your speed around corners to about half of what you would normally do. Also, plan to brake 3-4 times earlier, just to make sure you don't hit anyone. If all else fails get up to about 35-40 in an open parking lot, crank the wheel, yank the e-brake, and have some fun!
The snow issues I come across is starting from a dead stop, say a red light. It takes a lot for my tires to grab....
Also a hill when it just snowe.d...forget about it. Id get up it faster if I just pushed!
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Joined: 08-04-07
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From: Edson, Alberta, Canada
Well you just give it less gas when starting out and let off the clutch real slow to get going and make sure to brake early when stopping. And tires make the biggest difference in the snow.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 06-11-07
Posts: 39
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
dont skimp on oil and gas. tires would help, those 3 combined are gonna be alot less than the repair bill for a new engine, body work, etc.
Ps, buy your own synthetic oil and have the dealership change it for you. They will do it for you. Man i love working at a dealership. $12 oil change FTW!!
Ps, buy your own synthetic oil and have the dealership change it for you. They will do it for you. Man i love working at a dealership. $12 oil change FTW!!
Would it really be cheaper if I buy my own synthetic oil and have chevy change it for me???? If so, I will do this. What oil do you reccomend?
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Joined: 04-07-07
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From: Cincy
Yes it would be a hell of alot cheaper. They get you big time if they provide the oil
Last edited by bgbearcatfan; Dec 11, 2007 at 07:54 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 06-11-07
Posts: 39
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
I just made an appointment at my local chevy dealer for an oil change. I told them I would be providing my own oil.
I was going to go buy my oil now at wal mart or something. Mobil 1 synthetic.
How many quarts do you think I need to buy? I know I could check my manual but that is at my house, and I am at college at the moment so I was hoping you guys knew from experience. Thanks!
Last edited by snowdude1026; Dec 11, 2007 at 08:02 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Joined: 09-22-06
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From: nowheresville
mobil 1 and royal purple are nice,, but at that point you mighbt as well let the dealer supply it.
any synthetic will work just fine. and yes it will be alot heaper if you buy it.
ps, dont worry about the cost of oil, EX: the guy who brought in 11 quarts of royal purple for his 2500 HD duramax. Can anyone say $100+ in oil alone? god damn.
any synthetic will work just fine. and yes it will be alot heaper if you buy it.
ps, dont worry about the cost of oil, EX: the guy who brought in 11 quarts of royal purple for his 2500 HD duramax. Can anyone say $100+ in oil alone? god damn.