time for an oil change...should i bother with synthetic?
 

i have about 25k miles on it and its about time for my next oil change. should i even try to go with synthetic oil? i had some in my focus, but i couldnt really tell a difference because the car was a peice of crap anyways.
driving habits as of now are "aggressive" and i drive all the time, constantly stopping and going, turning off , restarting. i do delivery. (in the process of finding a new job.)

also should i take it somewhere for them to do it? or try to do it myself? i know chevy said they would charge like 60 bucks or something for synthetic change. is there a howto on here on how to change your oil on a 2.2?

I run mobil 1 in my 2.2 cobalt and I wont run any thing else I highly sigest it. It can make your motor last alot longer if you like to beet it.

I use Mobil 1 only in my 2.0

ive been using mobil 1 since day one. Its good insurance if you abuse your car like I do...you can do it yourself its very easy. There is an oil change how to in the how-to section. it should cost about 30 bucks if u do it urself

I agree with everyone that says Mobile 1. I also use that. Have used it from the start. The came with conventional oil in it but when it was time to change it i went to the mobile 1

I've used Mobil1 in my 2.2 since 3K miles. You cant always tell a difference but your engine will tell. Synthetic is sooooo much better for your car.

And do it yourself, its cheaper and soooo freakin easy

theres no horsepower gain, but its better for your engine, and my mileage improved from 17.7mpg to around 20.0mpg

youll probably save more by getting better mileage than paying the difference for synthetic

I was in this same situation as you a few weeks ago. I picked up a 5 gallon jug of Mobil 1 for about $22, got an STP oil filter for about $7 at Autozone. Did the change myself for roughly $30. You'll be saving yourself $30 is your dealer wants $60. I don't know if theres a power increase or better mileage. With the winter season my mileage is all over the place. However I do know that my car starts up more easily especially in the cold and generally runs much more smoothly.

Mobil 1 FTW

definite mileage increase...15% (for me), can be the diff between 30 and 35mpg
im running pennzoil synth btw...wanted mobil but the dude at jiffy lube already charged for pennzoil before i noticed

AMSOIL Synthetic FTW!

Agreed, its just hard to find at times

Any brand of synthetic will be fine. Mobil is best known for their advertising, but there are many other quality brands also.

Quaker State
Havoline
Royal Purple
Pennzoil

Even Wal*Mart Super Tech is pretty reputable.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/foru...=1&Main=808356

Man u were getting 17.7 MPG? I have been getting atleast 30 MPG if not better since I bought my cobalt. I drive with a heavy foot.

Do ur own oil change, its a piece of cake. Took me about 30-45 min to do it.

later

I wish that it wasnt such a pain in the ass gettin the oil filter in and out of the 2.0 balt. Anyone else having this same prob?

yeah the balt engine bay is tighter. most people say they have to disconnect there boost bypass or a vacuume line but you dont. if your looking at the 2.0 try reaching aliitle more right from the side of the motor instead of the top.. and as far as motor oil. idk about the other motors but anything else but Mobil 1 and bye bye warrenty.

Here is what I can share with you. You can actually buy your own oil and filter and then bring them to a shop, even a dealer, and they will change your oil using your parts. I have always done that, and my oil changes cost me ten bucks.

You won't notice a difference between the oils. If you don't have any plans to go forced induction with your engine, the just keep using your current oil. After 15K miles about, switching to synthetic will not really help.

Lot of Mobil 1 fans here. I guess they like that sticker under their hood. I use Valvoline SynPower.

i work at TiresPlus as a mechanic....here is my $0.02 from a mechanics point of view...not a salesman....synthetic will last a lot longer than regular or a blend and makes your engine run slightly cooler....also, if you are beating on it, the synthetic will not break down as quickly as conventional oil....i have changed the oil on a few cobalts since working there and i will write a How To on it tomorrow if there isnt one already....i would do it tonight but im fucking beat after an 11.5 hour workday....

Ya changing the filter on the 2.0 is really gay. So tight. You either need to take the piece off above it or have a guy with skinny arms reach in a pull it out. lol. Just make sure not to spill any oil drops anyways... oil drops = FTL ! :(

your trying to reach it from the top(inbetween the injector cover and some vacuume lines right?). try from the right side of the motor not above it near the injector and the cam cover. which is what your most likly are doing.. if your motor isnt FI you dont need Mobil 1. if its a 2.0 u do for warrenty sake.

I run Mobil 5000 or Mobil 7500 usually...or some type of synthetic blend.

haven't went to full synthetic yet, don't see a need to really...car feels great at 28K.

100% city driving blows...plus my lead foot

I'm currently running Pennzoil synthetic in my 2.2 and coming up on 15K... I switched at the last oil change (12K). I can't say that there is any difference in performance or mileage; I'm currently debating whether to switch back to conventional oil. I'm going to be driving a LOT more starting next week, and I always change my oil regularly anyway...

Mobile 1 from the 1st oil change.... and I don't agree that all synthetics are created equal...