2012 Chevy Cruze, need a Dexos 1 5W-30...

[mattwithcats]

OK, as stated, late 2012 Chevy Cruze (taller gears in the transmission) and I need a 5w30 Dexos 1.

Short, in town trips mostly.
Engine gets hot, but 15-20 minutes of driving average, stop and go...

Looking at-
Pennzoil Ultra, old bottle
Pennzoil Ultra, new bottle
Pennzoil Platinum
Pennzoil Ultra Platinum
Pennzoil Dexos 1, synthetic blend
and Quaker State Ultimate Durability...

What the difference in these oils, and/or another recommendation?

 

[mattwithcats]

I also see a Quaker State Dexos 1

 

[Oil Changer]

Sounds like Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 would be perfect for you.

 

[pbm]

I also have a Cruze (2011).

If you have the 1.4T I would stick with one of the full synthetics. The 1.8 should do fine on any of those you mentioned.
It seems you are set on SOPUS products so I'd probably just use the Quaker State Ultimate Durability based on price although any of them would be fine.

 

[901Memphis]

The more expensive you get in the Pennzoil chain the more potent the additive packages get with more synthetic base oils as you move up. Ultra is pretty much an extended drain oil while Pennzoil Platinum would be more than enough for following the oil life monitor.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
The more expensive you get in the Pennzoil chain the more potent the additive packages get with more synthetic base oils as you move up. Ultra is pretty much an extended drain oil while Pennzoil Platinum would be more than enough for following the oil life monitor.


This engine is not one for extended drains given that all the used oil analysis for off-the-shelf synthetics from this engine show the oil is ready to be changed by ~7500 miles.

I would not follow the OLM for a 2012 Cruze. GM hadn't reprogrammed the OLM yet like they did for some 2013 and all 2014 Cruzes with the 1.4T. It's optimistic by about 25%, so change the oil once it reaches 25%/7500 miles/1 year, whichever is first.

I've had good luck and good used oil analysis with Quaker State Ultimate Durability for 7500 mile runs in my Cruze's 1.4T.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Oil Changer
Sounds like Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 would be perfect for you.


Is that a dexos 1 oil?

 

[wemay]

Yes, it is dexos certified:

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil_1_0W-30.aspx#

 

[901Memphis]

If it were mine it would get synthetic every 5k

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
If it were mine it would get synthetic every 5k

This engine is that hard on oil ?

15-20 minutes of city driving, the distance should be around 7-8 miles, is not that severe.

 

[901Memphis]

I guess they aren't the worst.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2605626

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2477978

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
If it were mine it would get synthetic every 5k

This engine is that hard on oil ?

15-20 minutes of city driving, the distance should be around 7-8 miles, is not that severe.


It's hard on oil, but not GM 3.6 V6 hard. It's fine to run the OLM on a 2011-2013 Cruze LT/Eco/LTZ down to about 25% or 7500 miles, whichever comes first, when running an off the shelf full synthetic. That may well be 5k miles for some folks, while it might be 7500 miles for others.

 

[Triton_330]

Truthfully, any dexos 1 rated oil will do. For the sake of it, I thought I'd add in another one to the list:
Mag 1 Dexos 1 5w30 Full Synthetic
Basically, it's $4.57 per quart but it comes in a 6 pack, so it's $27.41 on Amazon.
Albeit, I'm sure if you're buying from walmart, the dexos rated synthetic blends are going to be cheaper, but per quart, the full synthetic dexos oils you've listed (at least some for sure, like PU, PP, and PUP) are probably about the same price, if not more than the Mag 1. The downside is that it's only free shipping on Amazon with orders over 35 bucks.

I'm sure you're going to end up getting one of the previous oils instead, but I just wanted to throw a curveball for the fun of it.