well aside from the engine oil, i do other maintances regularly....ill chekc the maf sensor tomorrow

 

Agreed with not following the oil life monitor. How long the oil sits, AND the mileage make a difference. Call me old school, but I don't rely on a computer to tell me when to change my oil. I change my oil when my oil needs to be changed. Pretty simple!

For example, when I bought the car, said I had 99% life left, had 18 miles on it, and the first "recommended" oil change was at 3000 miles. I decided to change the oil at 1,000 miles (93% oil life left) and put Mobil 1 in it. Oil was blacker then when I changed it again at 3,000 miles. Hence, I don't rely on a computer to tell me when my oil is changed, heh.

 

check your spark plugs..and try some fuel cleaner...and did you switch gas like going from 92 grade to 87?

 

He has a 2.2L ... no need for 93 octane....

I'd say check your air filter first and do a oil change if you haven't in a long time...

Then, if that doesn't help at all check you spark plugs.... you can tell A LOT about how a engine is running by how the spark plugs look... also what brand of gas do you usually get?? U might want to try switching gas stations for a couple fill ups...

 

ive only used 87....whats a fuel cleaner?

also ill check the spark plugs...but what should i look for on a spark plug?

 

You'd be crazy to change your oil by the oil life monitor....esp when its at 10-20%....when I get around 3k its just under 50%..maybe even 40%. I've always tried to change every 3k never more.

 

A fuel cleaner like those made by STP and Gumout is an additive you add to your fuel every so often (I use it every oil change) that has detergents in it to clean your injectors etc. Some say that as long as you use high quality gas that these products aren't needed, but when I use them I feel that my engine runs every so slightly smoother, maybe its in my head.

http://www.stp.com/fuel_complete.html

 

how would you be crazy?? if you check your oil, and it's clean, then why change it and waste your money?? what's crazy is taking CLEAN oil out of your car and replacing it... that's also a huge waste of money... so, i think YOU are crazy...

 

You were agreeing with me right? lol

 

in my Saturn book it says nothing bad about going by the oil life meter but recommends changing your oil atleast once a year

I don't change my oil every 3K, and if engines couldn't take more than 3K without an oil change there would be soccer moms and old people blowing engines all over the place. Changing your oil every 3K is a marketing gimmic!

 

Yuor car is seeing its first summer since you had the break in period, my car felt sluggish this summer as well due to the high temps, you can always get your maf cleaned that just might help

 

Also Mason, dont forget about doing the throotle wire mod, adjust that puppy for quicker throttle respnce( with I could but the 2.4 is computer controlled throttle)

 

all 05+ Ecotecs are drive by wire

 

Yes I was.....

 

Yes replacing clean would be stupid, but I can guarantee that your oil is dirty by 40% life...check it next time... Maybe you do alot highway driving....I do not... Not to mention the fact the oil will be broken down faster if you do daily city commutes.....but I'm sure I dont have to tell you that. You can call me crazy all you want...but I'll change my oil the way I always have and you can go ahead and listen to what your oil life monitor tells you....I could care less...its not my car.

 

I change my oil every 8000 km's or when the oil life gets to 30%. Never had a problem.

Car makes good power.

 

Never said you HAD to change the oil every 3k, but it sure as hell doesn't hurt it! It also depends on the oil you use. AMSOIL says you can take some of their oils up to 25,000 miles before an oil change. Now Mobil 1 has oils you can go 5, 75, or 10,000 miles before oil changes. Oil is the blood of your motor, it never hurts to change, but it will always hurt when it's to late.

 

I wonder how many people that use these high mileage oils remember to change the filter out every 3k miles or so.

 

I change mine every 3,000 miles and my oil monitor says around 60% usually. 10-20% seems kinda low to me. Im on a lease so im gona stick with the regular maintenance. ANyone else have anything to add?

later

 

why would gm take the time to test this thing, put it in ALL their new cars if it didn't work? you're book says to follow your monitor... do what you want with it, but it's a waste... does anyone know how to check their oil anymore?? guranteed at 3,000 miles your oil is still very clean looking and does NOT need to be changed... and if you follow the instructions in the book, change it by the monitor, what can the dealer say about your lease?? nothing... because you did it the way they said works... imagine all the lawsuits when people follow the monitor and everyone's car breaks... i don't think gm wants/needs that these days...

 

+1 I change it with every oil change.