I just bought a K&N air filter at NAPA. I'm hoping the K&N will help her breath better?
Also they had a sale on the NAPA 5-30W synthetic oil and filter for $20.
Is synthetic good???
Also, the DIC tells me the oil is at 45%. At what percentage is everyone changing theirs? Can I wait a while longer?
I have only had this 06 HHR since Nov. 2009 with 33,000 miles. It now has about 37,000.
I love this car!!!

 

The K&N will save you money if you plan on keepth the car. You will never have to buy again. DOn't expect any performance gains, the stock air box is pretty good.

Yes, synethic is very good to use. I usually pick up my supplies around the 10% mark and then change the oil the first nice weekend after.

I've got a write up on how to change the oil, the HHR is extremely easy.

 

I agree as far as the synthetic oil. I've been usin Mobil 1 since I purchased it in 2006.

K&N filters are a mixed bag. I use them in my Dad's 1982 vette, all the cars I've previously owned and my two grey-market Smarts. They do seem to work well especially if you keep up with cleaning the filter. However, I did read (quite a few times) on this forum that the K&N filter (and any other oiled filter) can cause the check engine light to come on. Not a big deal, just open the hood and use MAF Sensor cleaner on the MAF Sensor and that should clear it.

 

Agreed about the K&N, their filters sometimes are overcoated with oil that can be sucked across and foul the MAF sensor. Why bother? The stock filters are usually good for 50k miles.

The Oil Life Monitor will warn you at 5% life remaining, GM average is 7,500 miles. Mine will read 35% left after 10k miles. I have a mental block and won't go much past 10k miles.

My last oil change @125K was the first time I tried Synthetic. For 12k miles, I saw no power or fuel economy increase. Regular mineral oil is more cost-effective and has helped my 2.4L last over 137k miles. Maybe I'll try some "high-mileage" blend next...