I've been bringing my car to the dealership for my oil changes. My car has about 12,000 miles on it. I want to start changing the oil myself. So my question is whats some good oil i can put in my 2.2 cobalt? Should I flush my engine first?

 

Flush should not be necessary at all unless you've been going way too long with the oil. As for type, you can never go wrong with some synthetic.

 

i would go with Royal purple.. its dyno proven to give up to 8hp to the wheels.. i have it in my car and i put it on the dyno when it wuz stock and it gave me 5hp to the wheels.. i didnt belive it at 1st but some how it works..

 

well. i have a 2.2 so i wouldn't do syntehic since it's not necessary for my car. I just want some good regular oil. But don't know what to choose from.

 

Synthetic has benefits even on engines not made for it. Your car engine will run a little smoother, you may get better mileage (it definitely won't be worse), and you can go much longer between oil changes providing you keep the oil clean. However, if you don't want to go that route, I don't think there is any major difference between all the other brands of regular oil out there. You get what you pay for in that case. Just check it every tank or so and you should be fine with whatever oil you go for.

 

synthetic is the best oil, no matter what car you drive!

 

so u think i should put mobile 1 in mine then? also can i put 93 octane in my gas instead of 87? will the mobile 1 and 93 ocatane gas make my car run longer in the long run?

 

Definitely full synthetic, though I will have to investigate this Royal Purple matter, I was under the assumption that full synthetic was full synthetic.

 

You don't need to waste money on higher octane gas, it won't make any significant difference.

 

what kind of filter should i use? is fram any good?

 

I wouldn't put a fram oil filter on my bicycle. And please, let's not get into octane ratings. Everyone should know by now about KR and octane ratings. If anyone isn't aware, check it out at howstuffworks.com

 

then whats a good oil filter?

 

Royal Purple is great but only for a short time. After about 1500 it starts to breakdown.

I just switched to Mobil 1. Best you can get and at walmart its only 20 bucks for 5 qts. Great deal!

 

Don't use the Fram filter.

You may be limited by what's available in the stores - for example, I haven't seen the AC Delco filter for the Ecotec motor in stores yet, so I've been using the Purolator Pure One filter. Its available at Pep Boys and Advance Auto but I couldn't find it at any of the Autozones I've checked. Or you could get the AC Delco from the dealer but it would be more expensive. Wix is a good filter too but you'd probably have to have it special ordered.

If you don't use synthetic oil, just pick a good brand and stick to the correct change intervals. Castrol, Havoline, Pennzoil, etc. I've used Pennzoil for over 20 years in a bunch of cars and have had no trouble.

 

what exactly would be the benefits of me switching to mobile 1 syntechtic. I only have a 2.2. Also since i've been using regular oil up to 12000 miles is it bad to switch to syntechtic?

 

I also have a 2.2 and switching to syn. means less sludge build up and better lubrication and heat reduction in your engine. Its safe to switch at anytime but usually under 50k. So your in the clear by far. Syn. will also give your engine a little bit more of a free feeling, you can usually tell the difference right away. It might even free up a few ponies!

 

Mobile 1 Synthetic! I also have a 2.2L. The Synthetic helps. It seems that the engine runs better/smoother at higher RPMs. Also gas milage has improved on the first tank by 2mpg. Also a GM rep told me that once you get about 10k on the engine synthetic helps alot with gas milage. I only have just under 7k on mine and have already noticed a difference.

 

It's important to have a quality oil and filter. Octane, however doesn't matter. It makes no difference if you put 93 or 87 in your car (the authors car).

 

so who here is has a 2.2 and is running a mobile 1. I still plan on changing the oil at every 3 thousand so will that be a waste to buy mobile 1?

 

It's pretty much a waste to do that with any oil, but even more so with the Mobil. I'd stick to cheap stuff if you're hell bent on following that out-dated rule.

 

I always use Mobil one and have had great luck with it. I agree Royal Purpal will be the best bet if every little horse power matters to you but good luck finding it with out ordering it. When i had my Tiburon Hyundia voided my warranty for using Mobil One can you beleive that crap!

 

Yeah, I can't seem to shake the old mantra of change it every 3000 miles, not sure why. It just sticks and I change right at 3000 every time. I know I don't have to, it just gives me the ******* not to.

 

It's never a waste to use good motor oil, i change evry three thousnad with mobil one waste or not with beter oils you will get no deposit build up ever.

 

wait if i use mobile 1 will that void my warranty on my 2.2?

 

not in a this life time. My SS S/C has Mobile 1 written on the cap.