Chevrolet Volt oil changes - Reuse oil filter?

[kohnen]

So, I drive a Chevy Volt. It is an electric car with a gas engine that is used only if I go too far for the battery to power it.

It looks as though I will only use the engine about 4,000 miles every 2 year oil change interval. Most of the time I drive it in all electric mode.

Question: Can I reuse the oil filter every other time? That means changing the oil filter every 8,000 miles and 4 years.

 

[HTSS_TR]

How much is the oil filter ? Probably no more than $10, so $5/year is worth it to change at every oil change.

 

[ragtoplvr]

I would say no. Here is why. Your engine often does not even get warmed up. So your oil will have more fuel, water and volatiles in it. I will start in cold weather, and go to a higher speed, so there is cold oil forced thru it stressing the paper. Last, the stuff in the oil will deteriorate the filter to some degree. Maybe some, maybe a lot. It is just not worth it.

Get a QUALITY new one.

Rod

 

[vitez]

Heavens no. For the price of an oil filter, change it with each oil change. Why would you want to contaminate fresh oil with the residual oil in the filter? +1 on ragtoplvr's post.

 

[kohnen]

Because of the car and the way I drive it, one of two things happen:

1) The engine doesn't even start up. Stays stone cold. This is about 95-98% of the driving.

2) The propulsion battery runs out and the car starts up the engine for electrical power. In this case, the engine is run hard, and gets up to full temperature rather quickly. (The car's computer knows that the engine is most efficient when it's near full throttle, minimizing pumping losses). In this case, the engine fires up because I'm on a long trip. So it runs for about 1/2 hour minimum.

So, there isn't much opportunity for the engine to merely get luke warm.

But you're right about going from "cold" (I'm in So. Cal., so cold is a relative term) to high speed - the car starts the engine up and goes to near full throttle on the engine in about 3 seconds.

I agree - I use a quality filter - I'll either use the dealer filter, or a similar high-quality filter.

It seems such a waste to put only about 4,000 miles on the Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 that I use, but that's another topic for another time.

 

[cmhj]

For a few lousy bucks?

You're forgetting about filter degradation over time and yes I've seen it.

No way would "I" do it.

 

[Burt]

I am confused as to how you say the engine runs 4000 miles on gas? Sounds like the engine kicks in to propel the vehicle and at same time recharge the battery. So it shuts off if batteries recharge to a certain level and the miles travelled while batteries recharge are coincidental? If you stop for a train I assume the engine runs full out even though no miles occur? Seems like engine hours are more important than miles.

 

[czbrian]

I use the Fram Ultra XG3387A filter on my Volt. I think using the same filter, you should just change it every two years.

 

[kohnen]

Originally Posted By: Burt
I am confused as to how you say the engine runs 4000 miles on gas? Sounds like the engine kicks in to propel the vehicle and at same time recharge the battery. So it shuts off if batteries recharge to a certain level and the miles travelled while batteries recharge are coincidental? If you stop for a train I assume the engine runs full out even though no miles occur? Seems like engine hours are more important than miles.


Short answer: While the battery has power, it behaves like a Nissan Leaf. Once the battery runs out, it behaves like a Toyota Prius.

Longer answer: Let's say I'm driving 100 miles. During the first 40 or so, the engine stays off and it's an electric car. Once the battery is low (it never gets completely discharged), the engine kicks in. The first thing the engine does is run pretty hard to put back a buffer of energy into the battery. Then, as you're driving, the engine runs pretty quickly to power a generator to put power into the battery. At the same time, an electric motor pulls power out to drive the wheels. The battery stays within a few percent of low. The engine runs pretty quickly because that's where it's most efficient, and it switches between running quickly to put a few percent into the battery, and off (letting the battery run the car).

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: Burt
I am confused as to how you say the engine runs 4000 miles on gas? Sounds like the engine kicks in to propel the vehicle and at same time recharge the battery. So it shuts off if batteries recharge to a certain level and the miles travelled while batteries recharge are coincidental? If you stop for a train I assume the engine runs full out even though no miles occur? Seems like engine hours are more important than miles.


The Volt's engine is a generator, and has no coupling to the vehicle's driveline. Hours are important and likely what the vehicles OLM uses in conjunction with load to determine the oil change interval.

I think changing the oil and filter every two years is right on the money.

 

[czbrian]

Originally Posted By: Burt
I am confused as to how you say the engine runs 4000 miles on gas? Sounds like the engine kicks in to propel the vehicle and at same time recharge the battery. So it shuts off if batteries recharge to a certain level and the miles travelled while batteries recharge are coincidental? If you stop for a train I assume the engine runs full out even though no miles occur? Seems like engine hours are more important than miles.


The engine doesn't add charge to the battery unless you put it a certain mode ("mountain mode"). Also, the engine doesn't run at full throttle either when it on but rather within a narrower band than a typical car. The engine rpm does vary based on the power needed. The battery doesn't drain completely so there is always a buffer to sort of smooth out the variance between instantaneous power demand and power generation. When you come to a stop, the engine will turn off and restarts when you take off (unless you are in mountain mode).

 

[kohnen]

Originally Posted By: czbrian
I use the Fram Ultra XG3387A filter on my Volt. I think using the same filter, you should just change it every two years.


I'm using a microgreen MG200-6 They're built well and have a built-in 2 micron bypass filter.

 

[czbrian]

Originally Posted By: kohnen
Originally Posted By: czbrian
I use the Fram Ultra XG3387A filter on my Volt. I think using the same filter, you should just change it every two years.


I'm using a microgreen MG200-6 They're built well and have a built-in 2 micron bypass filter.


You probably should have said that in your original post.

 

[kohnen]

Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
...The Volt's engine is a generator, and has no coupling to the vehicle's driveline...


For the generation 1 Volts, there ARE times that the engine does have direct coupling to the vehicle's driveline. But, most of the time, the engine is not direct coupled to the wheels.

 

[ionize]

yep the gas motor can connect directly---

Dual motor extended – The electric motors are used again in dual configuration with increased efficiency at higher speeds. Additionally the gasoline engine contributes propulsion power via the planetary gear. While power is drained from the battery the amount is less than in mode 2 for the same propulsion power, thus extending the range.

Also needs premium fuel

 

[ragtoplvr]

new volts do not need premium. since a tank of gas can last a long time, I personally would search for ethanol free. However, they seem to do fine without it.

Rod

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: kohnen
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
...The Volt's engine is a generator, and has no coupling to the vehicle's driveline...


For the generation 1 Volts, there ARE times that the engine does have direct coupling to the vehicle's driveline. But, most of the time, the engine is not direct coupled to the wheels.


Aren't first generation Volts the only ones on the road, and the only ones being sold right now? Your response reads as if a generation of Volt preceding yours had this feature, but not yours.

It's been a while since I looked it up, but it was my understanding that under certain vehicle speed and load conditions, the gas engine would always couple, such as higher highway speeds. Is this an option that can be overridden or does it really only occur under very demanding times?

//

I'd change the filter with every oil change.

 

[kohnen]

Originally Posted By: ionize
yep the gas motor can connect directly---...

Also needs premium fuel


Yeah, I thought the premium fuel requirement would bother me. But, it's a big old "Meh."

I've used about 37 gallons in over 11,000 miles. When I do get gas, it's only a few gallons at most. I find that not only do I not care about requiring premium, I no longer shop for price, I look for the shortest lines.

 

[kohnen]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Aren't first generation Volts the only ones on the road, and the only ones being sold right now? Your response reads as if a generation of Volt preceding yours had this feature, but not yours.

It's been a while since I looked it up, but it was my understanding that under certain vehicle speed and load conditions, the gas engine would always couple, such as higher highway speeds. Is this an option that can be overridden or does it really only occur under very demanding times?

//

I'd change the filter with every oil change.


The 2015 Volts are the last of the first generation Volts. Mine is a 2015 and therefore, a first generation Volt. The 2016 Volt (only sold in a few states) and the 2017 Volt (sold nationwide) is of the second generation.

I'm only familiar with the first generation Volt. In these cars, at highway speeds, there is some direct coupling of the engine to the wheels. It is NOT an option that can be overridden. It doesn't occur during demanding times, but it occurs at highway speeds and low loads (i. e., cruising.) When you put the pedal to the floor, the engine disconnects.

And, yes, the group consensus is to change the filter. For $10 or so to sleep at night, it's a good investment. But, there's something in me that grumbles about throwing out a filter after only 4,000 miles or so (of engine use).

 

[NH73]

Originally Posted By: kohnen


And, yes, the group consensus is to change the filter. For $10 or so to sleep at night, it's a good investment. But, there's something in me that grumbles about throwing out a filter after only 4,000 miles or so (of engine use).


There are plenty of filters being thrown out at that mileage or less. With the oil your using a good filter, you may get by changing every 2 years.