2024/2025 Chevy Trax Viscosity Change

[DAC17]

I have a 2024 Trax that the owner's manual says requires 5W30 full synthetic. The 2025 calls for 0W20, but the only change in the engine is that it's now E85 compatible. Anyone have any insights as to why this would make a difference?

Thanks.

 

[bullwinkle]

CAFE would be my guess…

 

[Triple_Se7en]

5w30 would be my preference, regardless if it's a 2024 or 2025 engine.

 

[oilmaven]

I drove a 2025 and was impressed...lots of bang for the buck there.

 

[OneLonelyBurrito]

I would guess the validation testing finished for 0W-20 oil.

 

[OilyOrangutan]

I'd be scared of the wet belt, even at that price point.

 

[JavierH19]

I'd be scared of the wet belt, even at that price point.

The worst part about it.

 

[Oillover]

Regardless of the oil used, the wet belt system will cause the demise of that vehicle.

 

[zfasts03]

How many hours labor and parts cost to do the belt?

Is is a doable job for the average car guy in the driveway, that is used to doing routine maintenance and repairs? If similar to a timing belt job, shouldn’t be more than a inconvenience.

 

[BrendanC]

5w-30 and never look back. IMO trade in at or before 100k miles to avoid the welt belt maintenance.

 

[Oillover]

Many Fords with the wet belt (vans, Fiesta/Focus with the 1.0 3cyl) had failures long before the 100k mile interval.
When it fails, it leaves bits of rubber in the oil which then proceeds to blocking the oil pickup screen and starves the engine of oil.

Religious oil changes will help prolong the belt's lifespan, but who knows what you're getting when you buy used.
Here's a great video which further explains the issue:

 

[Corollaman]

I had a 2024 Trax for exactly one year, I enjoyed it but I'll admit the wet belt always had me thinking. Under the car there seemed to be a lot of cheapness, the muffler for example could easily swing back and forth just by lightly pushing it. I just wasn't sure of the long term reliability along with resale value. I'm sure once used ones get closer to high mileage the service history will be extremely important in regards to the wet belt. Ultimately, I went boring and conservative and traded in it on another Corolla while the Trax still had decent value. I did like the fact it called for 5w30, but that only lasted a year I guess.

 

[benjy]

a nicer size BUT cheaply built! wet belt + a CVT are NO-NO-NO!!!!

 

[Corollaman]

a nicer size BUT cheaply built! wet belt + a CVT are NO-NO-NO!!!!

The Trax actually has a regular 6 speed auto, one that has been around for years.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Hey wet belters! Change that oil every 3k and don't be cheap on the purchase. Frequent changes stretch belt life.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Cogged pully and belt in cold oil seems like trouble if its submerged. One could envision that viscous oil could lift the cog away from the pulley, reducing "tooth" engagement now the drive force will be on the edge of the rubber blocks causing a shearing effect stressor.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

I have a 2024 Trax that the owner's manual says requires 5W30 full synthetic. The 2025 calls for 0W20, but the only change in the engine is that it's now E85 compatible. Anyone have any insights as to why this would make a difference?

Thanks.

No if fact it is now CAFE compatible!

 

[JTK]

I just watched a car care nut video on the 2024/25 Trax a few days ago. I had no idea these used a 3cyl turbo, let alone a wet belt. He went through some detail on the wet belt servicing aspect of it. It doesn't seem too horrible. I'd like to see the process. He actually had more praise for the vehicle overall than I expected. Only time will tell on how well they do.

Different application of course, but I have a ~26yr/old Honda push mower with a OHC wet belt engine. It's been horribly neglected the past 15yrs, yet runs like it did the day I bought it. This "rubber" belt thing isn't my preference, but this is probably going to be the norm on engines of this segment as time goes on.

 

[IndyIan]

I have a 2024 Trax that the owner's manual says requires 5W30 full synthetic. The 2025 calls for 0W20, but the only change in the engine is that it's now E85 compatible. Anyone have any insights as to why this would make a difference?

Thanks.

Probably GM is trying to drop their CAFE mpg for "light trucks" a couple tenths of a mpg, and has realized that 5W30 is probably going to get the internals to hold together for a long time after the warranty period, so lets see what happens with 0W20.
These get about the same mileage on fuelly.com as a 2019 AWD 2.4L NA CRV. With FWD only, a 3cyl 1.2L and all the potential troubles of a pint size turbo engine.
Anyways, I guess we'll see how they hold up, if GM spec'd some decent parts, and people maintain them, they might be fine.

 

[userfriendly]

CAFE would be my guess…

CAFE might get drained with the rest of the swamp.
Keep your fingers crossed.