Oil Change-Sport Mode Mpg - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

rmoreno145 · 04-13-2011, 07:57 PM

I have had my 2LTRS for almost two years, I have been using castrol gtx and was wondering if that is a good oil? I havent had any problems but want to know if anyone reccomends switching to synthetic blend or full synthetic and if so do i just start at my next oil change or do i have to put something else in before it to get out the excess oil first.Will i notice a difference when i drive if i switch?Also does driving in sport mode affect your mpg as to driving in D? Thanks

cdn2usa · 04-13-2011, 08:17 PM

Sorry.
I have always used Mobile 1 synthetic, changed every 5 k.

Yes you should change, no you do not need to prep the engine.

You don't need to use Mobile 1, just the best oil you can get. It's worth the small investment in the long run. I plan on keeping mine for a long time and driving it.

LoneStar · 04-13-2011, 08:23 PM

Castrol GTX is just a conventional oil (as compared to synthetic). So, switching to a synthetic will at least be as good as your current oil, and will probably be better depending on your driving habits. Do you race your car? Stuck in stop-and-go traffic often? How often are you changing your oil? From what I understand, synthetic oil resists thermal breakdown more than conventional, so it's supposed to be effective for longer time.

If you switch, there's nothing special to do. Just drain the oil properly (including the oil filter) and fill with synthetic/synthetic blend. I would also recommend NOT using Fram filters. Go with Mobil1 or Wix filter.

I haven't run conventional oil (other than the factory fill), so I'm not sure you'd feel any difference with the change, maybe a placebo difference?!

Driving in sport mode holds the gear longer, into higher rpms, so it could lower your mpg's, but it would mainly be dependent on your right foot...

CamaroKid300 · 04-13-2011, 08:28 PM

Unless you have an SS, (which you and I have the V6) I personally don't see the need to run synthetic per you change your oil regularly (on schedule) and don't over use it.

If I had the V8, I'd definitely run synthetic...but since I don't I just use regular.

My $0.02

mpiper · 04-14-2011, 04:51 PM

Yes, you should switch to synthetic. Synthetic oils provide better wear protection, better heat breakdown protection and more consistent sheer point than conventional oils.

Basically an engine is a pressure cooker. Traditional oils get cooked down over time, with the lighter elements boiling and evaporating away, leaving the heavier components. Synthetics are more consistent, so there really isn't much to boil away.

As far as the switch? If you've been religiously regular with your oil changes, just drain old, add new. But if you've skipped or stretched, run a quart of cleaner in there for a day or so (follow directions, one mega cleaner CANNOT be left in and driven , while others are supposed to be driven). Drain that out with the old oil and swap filters. Then fill up with the cheapest oil that meets the engine specs. Turn on and let it run for 15-20 minutes. Drain this out. Now put in a new filter and fill up with the synthetic oil.

The reason I recommend this if you've stretched oil changes is that synthetics do a better job of keeping the dirt and contaminents in suspension. So if any crud has been baked onto your engine, it'll come loose with the new synthetic flowing. So, run a cleaner to get it out so the new synthetic can start without having crud in it from day 1. But, two oild changes in a row can be expensive, even if you do the labor. So ONLY do this if you've pushed the oil change schedule.

There is also a slight benefit in gas mileage with synthetics. NOT if you compare new oil to new oil. The difference is that at 4,000 miles, regular oil is thicker and MPG will decrease. At the same mileage with synthetic, it should be VERY close to new in viscosity, meaning the mileage should be as good as right after an oil change. This will vary depending on what synthetic you use, but all are better than regular.

I use Amsoil, but any DEXOS 1 quality Synthetic will work great in our V6 engine. Some people say you get a smoother idle, quicker throttle response, and similar things. I personally think its the same as any new oil change. Its the better protection that matters most to me. If there is a performance benefit, it's a free bonus.

04-13-2011, 07:57 PM	#1
rmoreno145 CHEVY ROCKS Drives: 1990 454 SS 2016 Garnett Red 1LTRS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 47	Oil Change-Sport Mode Mpg I have had my 2LTRS for almost two years, I have been using castrol gtx and was wondering if that is a good oil? I havent had any problems but want to know if anyone reccomends switching to synthetic blend or full synthetic and if so do i just start at my next oil change or do i have to put something else in before it to get out the excess oil first.Will i notice a difference when i drive if i switch?Also does driving in sport mode affect your mpg as to driving in D? Thanks

04-13-2011, 08:17 PM	#2
cdn2usa Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Midlothian, Va Posts: 257	Sorry. I have always used Mobile 1 synthetic, changed every 5 k. Yes you should change, no you do not need to prep the engine. You don't need to use Mobile 1, just the best oil you can get. It's worth the small investment in the long run. I plan on keeping mine for a long time and driving it. __________________ Aqua Blue 2SS c/w factory white strips, MT. Installed options;Tinted Windows, De-badged, Hurst Shifter,CAI,Vmax throttle body, Kooks LT Headers, High Flow Cats,Borla Touring Axle Back, ADM Scoop, Washwater relocation,Diablo Predator(c/w Ted's Magic), Custom start defeat switch, painted engine cover, shark fin & bow ties, ABL lighting, Rear Camera.

04-13-2011, 08:28 PM	#4
CamaroKid300 ace5.org Drives: 2017 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 6,143 View My Garage	Unless you have an SS, (which you and I have the V6) I personally don't see the need to run synthetic per you change your oil regularly (on schedule) and don't over use it. If I had the V8, I'd definitely run synthetic...but since I don't I just use regular. My $0.02 __________________ Stock...For Now.

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04-13-2011, 08:23 PM	#3
LoneStar Drives: 2011 IOM Camaro Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 3,446	Castrol GTX is just a conventional oil (as compared to synthetic). So, switching to a synthetic will at least be as good as your current oil, and will probably be better depending on your driving habits. Do you race your car? Stuck in stop-and-go traffic often? How often are you changing your oil? From what I understand, synthetic oil resists thermal breakdown more than conventional, so it's supposed to be effective for longer time. If you switch, there's nothing special to do. Just drain the oil properly (including the oil filter) and fill with synthetic/synthetic blend. I would also recommend NOT using Fram filters. Go with Mobil1 or Wix filter. I haven't run conventional oil (other than the factory fill), so I'm not sure you'd feel any difference with the change, maybe a placebo difference?! Driving in sport mode holds the gear longer, into higher rpms, so it could lower your mpg's, but it would mainly be dependent on your right foot...

04-14-2011, 04:51 PM	#5
mpiper Drives: 2011 Black 1LT RS Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 496	Yes, you should switch to synthetic. Synthetic oils provide better wear protection, better heat breakdown protection and more consistent sheer point than conventional oils. Basically an engine is a pressure cooker. Traditional oils get cooked down over time, with the lighter elements boiling and evaporating away, leaving the heavier components. Synthetics are more consistent, so there really isn't much to boil away. As far as the switch? If you've been religiously regular with your oil changes, just drain old, add new. But if you've skipped or stretched, run a quart of cleaner in there for a day or so (follow directions, one mega cleaner CANNOT be left in and driven , while others are supposed to be driven). Drain that out with the old oil and swap filters. Then fill up with the cheapest oil that meets the engine specs. Turn on and let it run for 15-20 minutes. Drain this out. Now put in a new filter and fill up with the synthetic oil. The reason I recommend this if you've stretched oil changes is that synthetics do a better job of keeping the dirt and contaminents in suspension. So if any crud has been baked onto your engine, it'll come loose with the new synthetic flowing. So, run a cleaner to get it out so the new synthetic can start without having crud in it from day 1. But, two oild changes in a row can be expensive, even if you do the labor. So ONLY do this if you've pushed the oil change schedule. There is also a slight benefit in gas mileage with synthetics. NOT if you compare new oil to new oil. The difference is that at 4,000 miles, regular oil is thicker and MPG will decrease. At the same mileage with synthetic, it should be VERY close to new in viscosity, meaning the mileage should be as good as right after an oil change. This will vary depending on what synthetic you use, but all are better than regular. I use Amsoil, but any DEXOS 1 quality Synthetic will work great in our V6 engine. Some people say you get a smoother idle, quicker throttle response, and similar things. I personally think its the same as any new oil change. Its the better protection that matters most to me. If there is a performance benefit, it's a free bonus.