Originally Posted By: addyguy
Originally Posted By: bountyh
Originally Posted By: JustinH
In the california heat, a 10w30 or 10w40 would be fine with that motor.
I wouldn't put it in a 03 cavalier however..
Honestly, no matter what grade oil you put in that 02 cavalier, it isn't going to matter.
I gotta ask: why different between an 02 and an 03 cavalier?
In 2003, GM discontnued using the 2.2 OHV engine in the J-body, and started using the 2.2L, DOHC 'Ecotec' 4-cylinder in them. You want a thinner oil in a DOHC engine to reach the cams faster. Also, some would say higher-revving DOHC engines get 'sluggish' with heavier oils in them; less so than a OHV engine.
My 02 Cavalier has the Ecotec engine. The older 2.2 was the base engine with the Ecotec replacing the 2.4 early in the model year.
Maybe you can get away with 10W-40 in California, but I as sticking to the factory 5W-30.