Hey, I have a 2009 Cobalt LS XFE Coupe with Mobil 1 non-synthetic and I'm still confused about when I should change my oil. The manual says that the car will tell me when (25%), so I decided to change it around 50% instead. The manual does not tell me to change it around 3000 like all sales associates tell me to. My oil life meter says 59% and a little over 5000 miles as of today since my last oil change. Should I still just change it when it gets to 50% or do the 5000 mile thing? Also, should I switch to synthetic?

First welcome to YC.com!


I drive the same car as you do. I run Mobil 1 5w-30 FULL synthetic in my car. My car loves it.

Also i DO NOT follow the oil life monitor. It has been shown to be pointless. GO by your mileage. I change mine between 4500 - 6000 miles depending my driving habits and weather. Oil and cars are alot different then they were decades ago. your wasting your money changing your oil every 3000 miles

Just my opinion

non synthetic is 3k miles or 3 months, synthetic blend is 4k miles or 3 months, fully synthetic is 5k miles or 3 months.
I have seen some gross oil come out of cars that have their oil changed at 3k mile intervals.

I run Castro GTX 5w30 right now with a K&N Oil Filter.... Change at 3000 miles. Oil life is usually at 70%-45%... Thought about going synthetic blend or straight synthetic.... but something inside of me says don't do it... I don't know why.

Hmm, interesting points everyone. I think I'm going to just go with the changing of oil between 4500 and 6000 miles on non-synthetic oil. I believe that the DIC is not 100% accurate, and the 3000 miles is a scam with better technology nowadays.

Exactly!

Edit: Also maybe consider switching to synthetic.

Walmart 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 Full synthetic = $22

i changed my oil a few weeks ago.. i changed it and went to NC round trip from me in NY was about 1400 miles.. then changed it when i got back and my DIC read 92%.. idk if that thing works haha buti figured id change it just cuz i had been running it for 12 hours at a time at 80mph..

do whatever you want it's your motor just don't say i didn't warn you

I normal push it to 7k before i ever change my old.

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