Co-workers 390K mi 98 Cavalier

[bryceban]

Hello, just thought I'd share some info on a co-workers 98 Chevy Cavalier. Don't know much about car other than 4 cylinder 2.2l, Auto trans. He bought the car new and did the same typical driving I do now(I took his route over). This consist of 800-1,000+ miles a week(hwy). He said about the first year he was changing oil about once a month or ~5,000 mi OCI. We're talking quick lube bulk oil here. He got tired of changing oil so often and started doing it himself with synthetic at 10,000 OCI. More than likely whatever was cheap and on sale along with probably a Fram filter.

He now has 390,000 miles on car along with the following items replaced:
1-starter
2-alternators
1-ATF change at around 100,000 and none after that
1-set of brakes

He said car still runs great with no smoke, oil consumption, and trans shifts great!

I found this quite interesting and starting to think maybe I over think this oil stuff a little too much...

 

[daves87rs]

Those will just take a beating and keep going...

 

[The motor guy]

what do you do that puts so many miles on it?

 

[bryceban]

Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
what do you do that puts so many miles on it?


USDA Inspector. Also, girl friend lives in town 20 miles away

 

[beast3300]

3 speed (125C/3T40)???

 

[goodtimes]

Most miles put on hot engine, lower wear, sludge etc. Still that's a lot.
I would be more concerned with having a good charcoal cabin filter, or some way to keep MY lung particle counts down, with all that time on the roads.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: bryceban
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
what do you do that puts so many miles on it?


USDA Inspector. Also, girl friend lives in town 20 miles away

Everything is 20 miles away when you're in Texas LOL

This really shows us how much easier highway miles are than city miles.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Originally Posted By: beast3300
3 speed (125C/3T40)???


I too am wondering what transmission...

 

[bryceban]

Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Originally Posted By: beast3300
3 speed (125C/3T40)???


I too am wondering what transmission...


IDK. pretty sure it has OD. 2,300-2,500 RPM @ 70mph if IIRC from the week I rode with him

 

[dishdude]

As long as you don't overheat the 2.2 OHV, it will run forever. These are solid cars that will run forever as long as they get reasonable maintenance.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Originally Posted By: bryceban

I found this quite interesting and starting to think maybe I over think this oil stuff a little too much...


Depends on the vehicle.

 

[Artem]

We BITOG-er do over think oil too much. Change it at reasonable intervals and call it a day.

 

[Thax]

Wow impressive , he needs to just keep doing what he's doing it has surely worked so far.

 

[caravanmike]

most likely it has the 4t40e i believe by 98 they got rid of the 3t40.

 

[xxch4osxx]

The one set of brakes is impressive as well!

 

[lifeson2112]

I had a 1993 Cavailier, 2.2, chain timed engine (big plus), and once I got past head gasket issue that 80% of these engines have, I coulda drove that little car to AK and back to Texas, probably without even popping the hood. The only 2 major issues with those were hairline fractures in the fuel injectors, and head gaskets.

 

[caravanmike]

we have a hospital chain here in town that uses the 96-05 cavaliers for lab deliveries. they get rid of them at 300,000 miles. in-between they fix everything that needs it. they usually get sold with original engines and transmissions. being on a fleet maintenance program with the selling dealer helps alot! mike

 

[addyguy]

I just posted a 20k mile UOA for my 2002 2.2 OHV Cavalier...

They are tough vehicles!

 

[JustinH]

Its a shame up here in NY. The bodies on those things rot out so fast, that you can rarely put 100k-150k miles on a car before it won't pass inspection due to a rotted frame, or worse.

 

[bryceban]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
Its a shame up here in NY. The bodies on those things rot out so fast, that you can rarely put 100k-150k miles on a car before it won't pass inspection due to a rotted frame, or worse.


That's crazy. My 15 year old Z71 doesn't have any rust to speak of. Heck my 69 chevy truck didn't even really have any rust to repair either when I restored it. Both Texas trucks however. We got around 29" of snowfall last winter but around here it may snow a foot and then be 60 F the next day... There's a saying around here "if you don't like the weather just wait a few hours"