Greybeard999

Gonna try Pennzoil Platinum for my first non-dino oil experience. Meets and exceeds the new GM dexos1 specs...... Always used Pennzoil in my older cars, may as well stick with the brand for this one.

drygirl04

I've been reading the posts regarding synthetic oil. My '06 HHR has about 75,000 miles on it. My daily drive to and from work has just increased substantially (90 miles per day minimum). I have always used regular Valvoline 5W-30. Should I switch to synthetic (probably Mobil 1) or not? I have heard that it is not worth switching since the car has had regular oil in it from the beginning. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

BlackknighT

You'll get 20 different answers. Mine (right or wrong) if you have the extra cash would be either go to a relyable syn mix, make your own syn mix, or if there is a Walmart near you get their brand of full syn for $18 (LI NY by me anyway) for a 5 quart container. It won't fix existing engine wear but it will help slow/curb new engine wear. Just my half a cent...

Greybeard999

I don't think it would be "wrong" to switch to synthetic or semi-synthetic either. I do want to add this though. At 75K your engine has built up some varnish from the regular oil so you may want to have the filter changed at 3000 miles and then top off with whatever you switch to. The synthetics will clean this stuff out and it will get trapped by the filter. Or change oil completely at 3000 and then go for an extended interval after this. This cleaning action is where many of the "scary" synthetic stories come from but it can be dealt with easily with a little care and forethought.

My $.02

Lowgearjoe

About 5 years ago I treid the Amsoil syn. motor Cycle oil in my 1984 Honda V-65 magna, The engine ran smoother and cooler and tranny shifted smoother, got better mileage! I had a old riding lawn mower that used better than a gallon of gas every time I mowed the yard. Put the Amsoil in it and it barely used a half gallon of gas to mow the yard! Been useing Amsoil ever since in every thing I own!! Yes it cost more but you only have to change every 25000 miles, but if you are useing regular oil and changing oil every 5000 miles that is five oil changes and five filters to my one! Do the math! youre wasting money and wearing your engine out faster! You can log on the Amsoil web site and pay $20 and become a prefered customer and buy the stuff at the same price the dealer pays!

sleeper

You can change yours @ 25K, I'll be sticking to once a year, since I ride the bikes mostly, & don't put many miles on my panel..

diskullman

OR, you can get a dealer to sell it at cost, and even save the $20.

farmer52

drygirl04 - use Valvoline high mileage vehicle oil (non-synthetic or synthetic). Available at Wally World.

tobaccoman

i have 7000 miles on my HHR Ran Mobil one from the dealer at 3600 miles and just changed it to Pennzoil Platinum. I never really though the dealer changed the oil since it was a very dark tan almost from the start similar to the dirty oil color at 3600 miles.. So for POM I changed it to PP with a Purolator pure one oil filter. All considered the engine power has been good along with Shell Vpower gas and the syn oil i can barely tell the engine is running at idle. Very very smooth.

m_benz60

To all of my HHR friends, I have used Mobile 1 in every vehicle I have owned since 1986 and I can truthfully say. I have never experienced an engine related failure with any of my cars. many with Turbos with over 150K without turbo bearing failure. Use what you want but I'm sold on Mobile 1 in my HHR 2LT and she runs great. Also, my 2006S Class Benz was delivered with mobile 1, 0-40 and if it's good for the Benz I'm sure the HHR will digest it as well.