What is recommended oil change interval for '09 1.8L?

[belfert]

I searched on this back before the forum died, but never found an answer.Pontiac recommends a 5,000 mile oil change interval on the '09 1.8L. Is this really a proper interval? The manual doesn't mention a severe usage interval like in the old days, but it does say severe use may require more frequent oil changes. I just turned over 3,400 miles and have not changed the oil yet.

[djb383]

Quote, originally posted by belfert »I searched on this back before the forum died, but never found an answer.Pontiac recommends a 5,000 mile oil change interval on the '09 1.8L. Is this really a proper interval? The manual doesn't mention a severe usage interval like in the old days, but it does say severe use may require more frequent oil changes. I just turned over 3,400 miles and have not changed the oil yet.You answered your own ? "Pontiac recommends a 5000 mile oil change interval". Changing sooner never hurts but isn't necessary. On a new engine I always change oil & filter at 500 miles or sooner just remove the "new engine break-in crumbs" from the system.......can't hurt anything.

[joatmon]

I did the first oil change on my '03 at about 2K miles, figured there might be more stuff in the first couple thousand miles from break-in, and have done the close to 40 or so others since then about every 5K miles. The 03 manual defines intervals for short trip/city and long trip//highway, with oil changes for city every 3000, highway every 7500. My driving falls into highway, but 7500 seems like a long time, so I do it at 5000 Sounds like for 2009, they eliminated the two schedules and compromised on the interval.While you may be fine not doing the first one until 5K miles, the fact that you're asking about it means that you'll probably feel better if you just go ahead and do the first one now. Some people here just go by the book, others feel that 3K is too long, some feel that using an expensive synthetic means you can go really long between oil changes, some seem to feel that you need to change it every week even when using the most expensive synthetics. I guess it comes down to what you are comfortable with, and what you can afford. .But you shouldn't opt to go longer than what the book says, at least while it is under warranty

[belfert]

My concern is 5,000 miles too long between oil changes, but I also don't want to waste money by changing the oil too often. In no case would I go over 5,000 miles no matter what oil I used.GM is very vague on what constitutes severe use and doesn't have a specific mileage recommendation for severe use. Other domestic vehicles have recommended 5,000 mile oil changes, but then recommend 3,000 miles for severe use. Extreme cold (like here in Minnesota) and short trips usually qualify as severe use.I wish there was an oil life monitor, but I understand why there is not one. My VW TDI had a 10,000 mile OIC, but it also required synthetic diesel oil. Going for an oil change less than twice a year was nice.

[northvibe]

I do 3000 miles, just stick with that its tried and true.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by belfert »I wish there was an oil life monitor, but I understand why there is not one. I would love to know why.

[belfert]

GM does oil life monitoring on on most of its engines, but I assume the Vibe doesn't have this because the Vibe is more or less a Toyota product with a Toyota engine.The Vibe also doesn't have a monthly engine health check through Onstar like other GM vehicles which I assume is also because of the whole Toyota thing. (Not that I care one bit about this,)

[djkeev]

Hi,I agree, an early change about 500 miles, a change between 2000 and 3000 all using Dino oil and then again at 5000, for this change and after that I am doing 5000 intervals on synthetic. Cost a few extra bucks but I intend to keep the car and the synthetic is just extra motor life insurance (and fairly cheap insurance at that). Always, always, always spin on a new filter. Do some research, filters vary in quality significantly and many are built by the same factory but sport different brand names and logos as well as significantly different prices.Why 3000 miles? Back in the day, oil wasn't as technologically advanced as it is now. They had wax problems, the rings weren't as good at holding back blow by and a virtual list of refining issues as well as an almost complete lack of additives for cleaning and other uses.As time progressed, oil has changed significantly in its ability to keep an engine clean, well lubricated and also the life span of use.The oil industry and shops have kept the 3000 mile myth alive and active with advertising and making people worry too much so the mile marker lingers on.Synthetics have been developed that are in many ways better than Dino with more consistently sized lubrication molecules.Why the longer intervals? Fact # 1 is that the oils we use are far superior now than at any point in the past. We live in a Maintenance Free mindset where doing nothing is a form of technology in and of itself. It must be well built if I can use it and ignore it (just look at the new "sealed" automatic transmissions today. Ball joints the are lubed for life, etc. None of them a good idea.While I would NEVER run to 10,000 and am leery of 7500 I am very comfortable with 5000. Few of us run our cars in a harsh way, that would be towing trailers, hot environments, major hill climbing, etc.That being said I am convinced that virtually any new engine could be run at least 100,000 miles with no service at all. The only thing noticeable would be a clogged air filter starving the engine for air. I'm not saying that I would do it or encourage anyone to do so but the odds are high it would go the distance. Just gas and go.Anyway, that is my 2x, Sorry so long. I'm old enough to remember the problems with waxy engine oil build up to the point where one could barely make out where the rocker arms are when you remove the valve covers! It looked like there was a heavy heavy Ice Storm (Black in color) that coated everything to the point that it all became one item.FYI, this topic has almost as many opinions as there are people. Educate yourself about the options and do what is right for YOU.Dave