Since I am an old timer, and am used to changing oil every 3,000 miles, and now with this car, the oil life % is not informing me to change the oil every 3,000 miles. It is more like every 5,000+ miles. Is this an accurate oil life consumption? Just wanting to know if I still change it every 3,000 like normal, or go by the oil life indicator. Any inputs would be appreciated. Also, what is the oil to be used? I have read that synthetic was used at the factory, is that true or what. Once again, any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

according to the owners manual, the oil life calculator on the dic (driver information center) monitors revolutions and engine temperature to determine the proper time to change the oil. manual recommends going by this and not the regular 3000 mile interval.

as for oil, mobil 1 5w-30 is recommended for the ss s/c. any synthetic oil that meets gm4718 standard should be acceptable, though (the bottles will be labeled as meeting standard). if i'm correct, pennziol synthetic and castrol syntec meet this standard too. any synthetic blend/conventional dino juice oil i've seen will NOT meet this standard, and thus could lead to warranty fights if you put it in and engine damage occurs.

 

Thank you for the info....it is much appreciated.

 

another question to expand on rk's original post: While breaking the car in (total miles less than 2000. [I just passed 1000 today.]), should I change the oil more frequently or still just go by the oil life meter?

 

i've been a lazy bastard with my Cobalt... It's got 2600 miles on it and I just got around to its first oil change today... out with the factory oil, in with the Mobil 1. That **** is way more expensive than the dino-oil I was putting in my 2.2L OHV Cavalier!

Scott

 

you dont have to change the oil after you first get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
they break in the motors in the factory, and change the oil after then
your first oil change shouldnt be at 500 mi, 1000mi, 3000mi, or anything shorter than atleast 5k
use the damn DIC people!
its there for a reaso!

 

There isn't any kind of break in in the factory at all. You will have no problems if you follow the oil life meter, but it certainly doesn't hurt to at least do your first once a bit early.

 

anyone know how to reset the oil life message on your info center in the dash?

 

The easiest way is to turn your key to run (dont start the car) and pump the gas petal to the floor 5 or 6 times. You can also do it with the buttons bu holding them both in for like 3 sec. then scrolling to the oil life reset function.

 

the 3000 mile interval is all a myth of the past... it really is more like 5k nowadays

 

Or did you mean when you start the car and it says oil life? if that's the case just push a button

 

I've ALWAYS been a 3000 mile oil change fanatic (more than 45 years)! But then I read the following http://www.gmols.com/raisingawarenes...FAQs031708.pdf

If you want to take a nap read http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...m/t-42259.html

Bottom line, the GM Oil Monitor system in your Cobalt works with the oil specified by GM for your engine and calculates the remaining oil life on how you drive.... AND I'm not planning on changing the oil in MY Cobalt every three months!

 

I know the cobalt ss has it motor broke in at the factory , then factory filled with mobil one synthetic . I would think any car that ships with synthetic oil would be pre- broke in due to the fact synthetic oil isn't good to use for break in.

 

wow that really helps. I been a little worried cause my Cobalt has over 5500 miles and I haven't gotten a warning yet so i thought maybe the oil life monitor wasn't working.

 

i don't trust something that tells me when to change my oil. i do mine every 5000km/3000Mi. it doesn't hurt and in the end my motor will thank me but its strictly personal preference. also you shouldn't exceed 6 months without changing your oil as the OLM have been known to not go off for a year sometimes.

 

Also you have to remember, that if you use a higher rated oil (RP/AmSoil/etc) and a extended life filter (K&N Gold/PureONE/etc) you can go at LEAST 5000mi between changes. I usually go ~6k, which is still quite frequent considering that oil/filter combo is rated by those manufacturers for 10-15k mi!

 

yeah im going with the oil life monitor. Im not paying $120 every 5000km when the oil is still looking good on the dip stick.