Short OCI - change filter?

[NateDN10]

In November, I did an oil change in my Cobalt with Castrol Syntec 5W-20 (it calls for 5w30). My commute to work is less than 5 miles, so I figured the thinner oil might be better. After reading more on it after the oil change, it appears that may not be true, but that's neither here nor there.

Now I have 3000 mi on the oil and my OLM is at 50%. I may change back to 5w30. Should I replace the filter too? It's a Purolator PureOne.

I guess there's another question that begs asking, too... should I just leave the 5W-20 in there until the OLM says to change it? We will be taking a few longer trips this summer.

 

[Shannow]

Nope, I don't think the filter cares.

 

[FL_Rob]

How many miles on the car?At 50% ,you still have alot of life left on good oil,I'd keep it in (filter and oil) and only add top up using the recommended 5w30 from now until you're down to the 5% or 10% mark or whatever you're comfort zone is on your oci.

 

[dparm]

Filters are cheap, may as well just change it.

 

[Eddie]

No need to change.

 

[NateDN10]

I should add that the car has 57K miles on it and burns less than a pint of oil over a typical 8K OCI.

 

[660mag]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Filters are cheap, may as well just change it.


+1^

 

[rossn2]

The OLM is thinking you have 5w30 oil in the vehicle and it's calculations are built on the GM requirements. I would get the 5w-20 out of it, put on a new filter and put a good semi or full synthetic 5w30 in it...

 

[cp3]

This is the 2.2? Why the change of heart? What is it you've read that has changed your mind?

I'm on the fence as far as the filter.....being a cartridge, I'd have one on hand and pull it during the change and go from there. I would think it could last another full OCI from this point but as has been said, they aren't a lot of $ either.

 

[addyguy]

Ecotecs run fine on 20-weight oils.

A past member, 'OriginHacker21', ran 20's in his Ecotec for thousands of miles, with UOA's on this site to boot.

Seach the username, OR 'Sunfire' in the UOA section.

Leave the 5W-20 in for OLM......

 

[Papa Bear]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Ecotecs run fine on 20-weight oils.

A past member, 'OriginHacker21', ran 20's in his Ecotec for thousands of miles, with UOA's on this site to boot.

Seach the username, OR 'Sunfire' in the UOA section.

Leave the 5W-20 in for OLM......


+1

 

[NateDN10]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Ecotecs run fine on 20-weight oils.

A past member, 'OriginHacker21', ran 20's in his Ecotec for thousands of miles, with UOA's on this site to boot.

Seach the username, OR 'Sunfire' in the UOA section.

Leave the 5W-20 in for OLM......

Hey, thanks. I found two of his UOAs on xW-20 and they both look great. I guess I'll leave this fill in until the OLM tells me to change it.

 

[NateDN10]

Originally Posted By: cp3
This is the 2.2? Why the change of heart? What is it you've read that has changed your mind?

I was alluding to the fact that Syntec 5W-20 isn't really any thinner (based on kinematic viscosity anyway) at typical winter cold start temperatures than 5w30.

 

[Malo83]

Originally Posted By: 660mag
Originally Posted By: dparm
Filters are cheap, may as well just change it.


+1^


+2

 

[cp3]

Originally Posted By: NateDN10

I was alluding to the fact that Syntec 5W-20 isn't really any thinner (based on kinematic viscosity anyway) at typical winter cold start temperatures than 5w30.


Nate, while this may be true, I haven't seen a PDS from Castrol that has much info, this wouldn't be the real reason to drop to a 5w20. It would primarily be for it's properties at operating temp. wouldn't it?

Does this engine have variable valve timing?

 

[NateDN10]

Originally Posted By: cp3
Nate, while this may be true, I haven't seen a PDS from Castrol that has much info, this wouldn't be the real reason to drop to a 5w20. It would primarily be for it's properties at operating temp. wouldn't it?

Does this engine have variable valve timing?

I used Widman's calculator with the 40C and 100C viscosity values to approximate viscosity down to -20C.

Why would it be beneficial to have an oil that's thinner than specified at operating temp? I was using it because I figured on my drive to work the oil would never get close to operating temp.

And this engine doesn't have VVT.

 

[cp3]

Are you using the values from the SN version? The SM PDS I have doesn't show both, I don't think....not at home at the moment. I ran the SN last night and I thought it looked like a fair improvement, although I don't know what your start up temps are. Personally I'm thinking any lighter at start up is better.

We're on the same page as to why you are using it, I should have been a bit clearer. As I understand it you are correct, the 5w20 should be closer to the desired viscosity at the reduced operating temps you are most likely seeing due to your use and ambient temps. This still applies though regardless of difference in start up viscosity, right?

I only asked about the VVT as my 2.4 has it and I am wondering if the lower viscosity oil would have an effect on it, possibly resulting in lowered fuel mileage.

 

[NateDN10]

I don't remember which PDS version I got my numbers from. But even with the SN numbers, (8.88@100C / 55.37@40C), it's thicker than Mobil1 5w30 at temperatures lower than 10C. During the winter we're usually between -15 and -5C.

How's the LE5 on fuel mileage? IIRC, it's rated the same as the L61, even though it has ~30hp more. I have a manual transmission and my all around average is around 29mpg in the winter to 33 in the summer.

 

[cp3]

Not that good! Mine's an auto...thought the wife might drive it too, which she does, occasionally but she doesn't really like it as much as the 6 so that's her preferred ride.

Last summer, April to September...28 MPG average
This winter, October to March.....24 MPG average

And I drive highway to work! I'm not convinced there isn't something wrong.

 

[chaser06]

Originally Posted By: Malo83
Originally Posted By: 660mag
Originally Posted By: dparm
Filters are cheap, may as well just change it.


+1^


+2

+3