Chevrolet Volt oil changes - Reuse oil filter?

[BrocLuno]

You are recycling your filters right? Who throws anything out nowdays...

But here is an article on ring wear and retained oil. I think this may very well apply to this sort of engine as it acts more like a steady state stationary engine that a regular car engine...

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4049815#Post4049815 The bottom line is that additive reactions wit5h the internal metallurgy of that specific engine create useful chemicals in oil as long as the add-pak chemistry is not exceeded. Retaining these reaction chemicals in the oil is a wear preventative.

Shannow's theory is that changing the filter every other time retains about the right amount. I'd rather put a fresh filter on (the biggest that will fit for added capacity and less resistance to cold flow because of increased media area) and pour a cup full of used oil back in, or fill the filter with used oil and screw it on. I like clean media at the start of a new run.

I'd also install a magnetic drain plug and check it every time to see what comes out...

 

[Lubener]

One day, skip the Starbucks and use the money to buy yourself a filter.

 

[bigt61]

Change the filter every other time, you'll be fine. Plenty of Hondas only change their cheap filters every 20k miles and never have a problem.

 

[Bamaro]

Why do so many here focus on the cost of the filter? Isn't it more about not doing unneeded work and throwing out a filter that may still haves a lot of useful life left in it? That's the real issue here.

 

[dlayman]

Originally Posted By: bigt61
Change the filter every other time, you'll be fine. Plenty of Hondas only change their cheap filters every 20k miles and never have a problem.


Although Honda does state to change the filter only every other change and the maintenance minder typically does go to about 10k miles for an oil change, I wonder how many people actually do this. DIY'ers most likely do the filter too, and the majority of owners probably go to quick lube places or local garage for oil change, and I'm sure they would do the filter too. Even many of the dealers do the filter each time, so I would bet maybe 10% of Honda owners do the every other oil change filter protocol. I certainly don't, but it may be just fine. I would think as the car ages and the motor and thus the oil don't stay as clean as when new, this wouldn't be a good idea. Of course, you almost certainly would be fine through the warranty or lease period. I'm also surprised Honda doesn't at least tell you to change the filter on the first oil change when the factory fill is replaced. I personally wouldn't want the first 20,000 miles on my new car to be accumulated using only the original filter.

 

[kohnen]

Originally Posted By: dlayman
I personally wouldn't want the first 20,000 miles on my new car to be accumulated using only the original filter.


It's an electric car that only uses the engine when the battery is out of juice. In 20,000 miles, the engine will have only run for about 4,000 miles (or less).

The oil will have 4,000 miles & two years on it and the OLM will want it changed. But, can the filter do 8,000 (engine) miles and 4 years?

 

[dareo]

I'd just get a Fram Ultra on there and you could probably leave it on for 4 years. I would have the itch to change it but you know #bitog

 

[dareo]

The more i think about it, you may not even have to change your oil more than a few times in the lifespan of that car. You only have 10 years 150k warranty on the battery. (CA)

If you don't drive on generator power often, i don't see why you would need to change the oil more than a handfull of times. Factory Fill should get you at least the 2 years, OC #1 another 2 years, by then the engine is fully worn in. That 3rd fill of oil could be stretched out a very long time. Some people do 20k miles or more on synthetic in regular cars, that 20k of generator usage could be 100k miles in a california volt.

An out of warranty battery will cost a ton, maybe the electrical system starts having issues with age, who knows. I don't see it being a fun car to own in another 10 years. There will be way better EVs to choose from.

 

[kohnen]

Originally Posted By: dareo
The more i think about it, you may not even have to change your oil more than a few times in the lifespan of that car. You only have 10 years 150k warranty on the battery. (CA)


I figure about once every 2 years. If I use Mobil 1 Extended Performance, I am confident that I can go by the OLM, and the OLM times out after 2 years.

Originally Posted By: dario
If you don't drive on generator power often, i don't see why you would need to change the oil more than a handfull of times. Factory Fill should get you at least the 2 years, OC #1 another 2 years, by then the engine is fully worn in. That 3rd fill of oil could be stretched out a very long time. Some people do 20k miles or more on synthetic in regular cars, that 20k of generator usage could be 100k miles in a california volt.


I could if I ignore the OLM's 2 year time out. But I won't.

Originally Posted By: dario
An out of warranty battery will cost a ton, maybe the electrical system starts having issues with age, who knows. I don't see it being a fun car to own in another 10 years. There will be way better EVs to choose from.


The Chevy Volt batteries have been holding up VERY well indeed. Of course, that just means that I'll be able to drive to the dealer in 10 years to buy an unimaginably improved electric car.

 

[mjoekingz28]

I would suggest you change the oil once, then the other time ask the dealer to complete the service.


It being a new and test/concept vehicle would probably be a good idea. Then other items can be checked.


Also, the filter is special to the car so I wouldn't fool around on a very specific vehicle as you have. It is not a 3800 series V6 or a 350SBC!

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

WHY?

 

[AuthorEditor]

It's a lot different in Southern California, but here in the Northeast the engine will be run a lot more for the heat in the winter and the "cold" starts are likely to be much colder. Moisture in the oil and fuel contaminants gradually degrade the oil. I personally would change the filter when I change the oil. Bigger problem would be the ethanol gas going bad--what does Chevy say about using fuel stabilizer? In my experience, again here in the Northeast, it is bad news to store ethanol gas for more than about a month without stabilizer. It absorbs moisture and turns into green gundge quickly. I have seen boat carburetors completely plugged with the gunk after sitting too long.

 

[dareo]

I couldn't bring myself to stretch out the OCI beyond 2 years or even skip the filter, although i bet it would be just fine.

If you wanted to be "that guy" who proves a point with used oil analysis and such i bet you could hold an OCI for years and years in that thing.

If / when the battery goes will those cars continue to run off the generator alone? Or will they be like the Prius where it shuts down entirely.

 

[kohnen]

Originally Posted By: dareo
I couldn't bring myself to stretch out the OCI beyond 2 years or even skip the filter, although i bet it would be just fine...

If / when the battery goes will those cars continue to run off the generator alone? Or will they be like the Prius where it shuts down entirely.


I get itchy fingers too. I already changed the oil to Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 and a microgreen filter. This after one year and about 1000 engine miles. I can rationalize it as being an early change on a new engine. And, since the folks at microgreen are having a half off Sale for Earth day, I might as well buy a few more filters.

I suspect the Volt's computer will shut the car down if the battery fails. I'm not worried because I have a 10 year 150,000 mile battery warranty and GM very carefully manages all the battery parameters (voltage, temperature, cell balance and the like). I fully expect to covet a new electric car long before the warranty or the battery expires.

 

[raytseng]

short answer, what does the manual say? Just follow that.

 

[UltrafanUK]

Originally Posted By: 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.


Short answer NO.

Long answer, it's OK to resuse oil filters upto the max recommended OCI. The 2 year limit was probably based on the oil filter to block seal, so if you use it for longer there is a very slight risk of an oil leak, particularly if you do not use a real Gen dealer supplied one.
Never try and drain a spin on oil filter you intend to reuse, the 5 to 10% or so of extra contamination will make no real difference to the new engine oil, although it's worth checking what the difference is.