Anyone on here have a Chevy Cruze 1.4 turbo ? If so what oil do you run and have had good experiences or used oil analysis with, I know these engines eat some oils alive.
Chevy Cruze turbo
- Thread starter JHogan
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Do you already own Chevy Cruze with a 1.4L? I've heard GM may warranty certain 2011-2013 ones. They are known to crack pistons.
I bought a brand new 2011 (first year) Cruze turbo and the OLM was 'optimistic' ...allowing 10K+ OCI's (which I never did).
GM quietly recalibrated the OLM in subsequent years down to approx. 8K max. OCI's.
I used Mobil 1 5w30 exclusively and never burned a drop in OCI's up to approx. 6.5K.
I really liked the 1.4T and the Cruze but had to trade it in because GM either couldn't or wouldn't fix the coolant loss/odor issue which became sickening in winter. This issue was widespread and yet GM never acknowledged it.
GM quietly recalibrated the OLM in subsequent years down to approx. 8K max. OCI's.
I used Mobil 1 5w30 exclusively and never burned a drop in OCI's up to approx. 6.5K.
I really liked the 1.4T and the Cruze but had to trade it in because GM either couldn't or wouldn't fix the coolant loss/odor issue which became sickening in winter. This issue was widespread and yet GM never acknowledged it.
JHZR2
Staff member
My saab 2.0 turbo ecotec can easily do 15k mile OCIs and is a very efficient engine. Barring design flaws, I can't see how the Cruze turbo could be that bad. I've always enjoyed Cruze rentals I've had, the Cruze LT. I recently rented was really good.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
My saab 2.0 turbo ecotec can easily do 15k mile OCIs and is a very efficient engine. Barring design flaws, I can't see how the Cruze turbo could be that bad. I've always enjoyed Cruze rentals I've had, the Cruze LT. I recently rented was really good.
2.0T in SAAB still has roots in famous OPEL engines (OHC then Cosworth 2.0ltr from 1991, all with 86X86mm).
These new engines are not even close in quality from 80's and up to end of 90's.
Too much influence in Opel by GM, that is why SAAB went down.
My saab 2.0 turbo ecotec can easily do 15k mile OCIs and is a very efficient engine. Barring design flaws, I can't see how the Cruze turbo could be that bad. I've always enjoyed Cruze rentals I've had, the Cruze LT. I recently rented was really good.
2.0T in SAAB still has roots in famous OPEL engines (OHC then Cosworth 2.0ltr from 1991, all with 86X86mm).
These new engines are not even close in quality from 80's and up to end of 90's.
Too much influence in Opel by GM, that is why SAAB went down.
I suppose it would depend if it was still under warranty. If so, probably Pennzoil Ultra 5w30.
If not, my go-to turbo oils are:
Rotella, Delvac, Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck, or Delo 5w-40
Mobil 1 or Castrol 0w-40
If not, my go-to turbo oils are:
Rotella, Delvac, Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck, or Delo 5w-40
Mobil 1 or Castrol 0w-40
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Considering that GM recommends oil with HTHS less the 3.5, for energy conserving purposes more then to protect turbo in a long run, I would not go overboard, like M10W40 or Castrol 0W40, but maybe Castrol 0W30 BC, that has HTHS of 3.58,
Quaker State Ultimate Durability had some pretty good used oil analysis in mine when changed every 7500 miles. It has 108k miles now, 107k of those miles running 5w30 full synthetic of various brands. It has Pennzoil Ultra 0w-40 (SRT formula) in it right now. That's basically a 5w30.
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
My saab 2.0 turbo ecotec can easily do 15k mile OCIs and is a very efficient engine. Barring design flaws, I can't see how the Cruze turbo could be that bad. I've always enjoyed Cruze rentals I've had, the Cruze LT. I recently rented was really good.
2.0T in SAAB still has roots in famous OPEL engines (OHC then Cosworth 2.0ltr from 1991, all with 86X86mm).
These new engines are not even close in quality from 80's and up to end of 90's.
Too much influence in Opel by GM, that is why SAAB went down.
I believe the Cruze's 1.4T is an Opel designed motor...
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
My saab 2.0 turbo ecotec can easily do 15k mile OCIs and is a very efficient engine. Barring design flaws, I can't see how the Cruze turbo could be that bad. I've always enjoyed Cruze rentals I've had, the Cruze LT. I recently rented was really good.
2.0T in SAAB still has roots in famous OPEL engines (OHC then Cosworth 2.0ltr from 1991, all with 86X86mm).
These new engines are not even close in quality from 80's and up to end of 90's.
Too much influence in Opel by GM, that is why SAAB went down.
I believe the Cruze's 1.4T is an Opel designed motor...
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Mobil recommends in Europe for that engine 0W40.
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
Do you already own Chevy Cruze with a 1.4L? I've heard GM may warranty certain 2011-2013 ones. They are known to crack pistons.
Some early 2011 engines had a "zebra striping" problem with the cylinder bores. That got fixed when the engine manufacturing moved from Austria to Michigan.
Also, the cracking pistons is news to me. The 1.4T in the Cruze is a pretty stout little engine, even when run hard. The factory tune is very conservative, and leaves a LOT of power on the table. A conservative aftermarket tune gains ~25 hp and ~45 ft/lbs.
Do you already own Chevy Cruze with a 1.4L? I've heard GM may warranty certain 2011-2013 ones. They are known to crack pistons.
Some early 2011 engines had a "zebra striping" problem with the cylinder bores. That got fixed when the engine manufacturing moved from Austria to Michigan.
Also, the cracking pistons is news to me. The 1.4T in the Cruze is a pretty stout little engine, even when run hard. The factory tune is very conservative, and leaves a LOT of power on the table. A conservative aftermarket tune gains ~25 hp and ~45 ft/lbs.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
Do you already own Chevy Cruze with a 1.4L? I've heard GM may warranty certain 2011-2013 ones. They are known to crack pistons.
Some early 2011 engines had a "zebra striping" problem with the cylinder bores. That got fixed when the engine manufacturing moved from Austria to Michigan.
Also, the cracking pistons is news to me. The 1.4T in the Cruze is a pretty stout little engine, even when run hard. The factory tune is very conservative, and leaves a LOT of power on the table. A conservative aftermarket tune gains ~25 hp and ~45 ft/lbs.
Lot of these small turbo engines had issues in the beginning. VW had problem with both 1.2tsi and 1.4tsi, Opel had (GM), etc.
I think they got their hands around it, but....
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
Do you already own Chevy Cruze with a 1.4L? I've heard GM may warranty certain 2011-2013 ones. They are known to crack pistons.
Some early 2011 engines had a "zebra striping" problem with the cylinder bores. That got fixed when the engine manufacturing moved from Austria to Michigan.
Also, the cracking pistons is news to me. The 1.4T in the Cruze is a pretty stout little engine, even when run hard. The factory tune is very conservative, and leaves a LOT of power on the table. A conservative aftermarket tune gains ~25 hp and ~45 ft/lbs.
Lot of these small turbo engines had issues in the beginning. VW had problem with both 1.2tsi and 1.4tsi, Opel had (GM), etc.
I think they got their hands around it, but....
Any synthetic 5w30 that meets the HTO-06 and Dexos1 spec's...
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
Any synthetic 5w30 that meets the HTO-06 and Dexos1 spec's...
For this engine I would go with Euro oils.
Any synthetic 5w30 that meets the HTO-06 and Dexos1 spec's...
For this engine I would go with Euro oils.
I have a 2011 Cruze LT that I bought with 7,000 miles on it. Has 118k on it now. Mostly interstate driving. I use only Quaker State or Pennzoil synthetic. A used oil analysis showed the Quaker State Ultimate Durability was good out to 6500 miles and could go a little longer. I usually keep to a 6-7 k OCI though and would shorten to 5k if I had more stop and go traffic for my commute. Looks very clean through oil fill cap. No oil related issues except turbo oil feed line started leaking but was an easy at home fix.
Yes I have one and I've already had a new engine put in it under warranty for cylinder wall scoring unrelated to oil
rotella t6?
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Originally Posted By: JHogan
rotella t6?
I think it is wrong choice.
Mobil 1 0W40 or Castrol 0W40 are cheaper for 5qt and MUCH better performers in gas turbo engines.
rotella t6?
I think it is wrong choice.
Mobil 1 0W40 or Castrol 0W40 are cheaper for 5qt and MUCH better performers in gas turbo engines.
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Mobil 1 0W40 or Castrol 0W40 are cheaper for 5qt and MUCH better performers in gas turbo engines.
Can you quantify MUCH better?
Mobil 1 0W40 or Castrol 0W40 are cheaper for 5qt and MUCH better performers in gas turbo engines.
Can you quantify MUCH better?
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