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#1
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Ion Redline Questions
Hi,
I just bought an Ion Quad Coupe Redline. I have a few questions that I couldn't get answered by the dealer... The docs that came with the car are Ion and have no mention of the Redline. That's no big deal, but I was told by the dealer that the oil changes MUST use Mobil 1 and that the oil change interval was "as usual" meaning (more or less every 3k miles). I have no problem with that, but the manual just says "use 5W30", there's no mention of synthetic anything. The other question is regarding fuel choice. The manual says use 87 octane and then goes on to explain that using fuel rated lower than that can cause knocking. Not exactly an earth-shattering revelation. But my question is this: because the motor is "boosted", shouldn't you use higher octane fuel to get the benefit of the supercharger (and not suffer from engine management timing retard)? Please reply via mail, I don't visit this newsgroup very regularly. BTW, the car is a blast to drive! Regards, Bob Lang |
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#2
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The model is "Red Line", not "Redline".
Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ] --- Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www.evilplastic.com "Bob" > wrote in message ... > Hi, > > I just bought an Ion Quad Coupe Redline. I have a few questions that I > couldn't get answered by the dealer... > > The docs that came with the car are Ion and have no mention of the > Redline. That's no big deal, but I was told by the dealer that the oil > changes MUST use Mobil 1 and that the oil change interval was "as usual" > meaning (more or less every 3k miles). I have no problem with that, but > the manual just says "use 5W30", there's no mention of synthetic anything. > > The other question is regarding fuel choice. The manual says use 87 > octane and then goes on to explain that using fuel rated lower than that > can cause knocking. Not exactly an earth-shattering revelation. But my > question is this: because the motor is "boosted", shouldn't you use > higher octane fuel to get the benefit of the supercharger (and not > suffer from engine management timing retard)? > > Please reply via mail, I don't visit this newsgroup very regularly. > > BTW, the car is a blast to drive! > > Regards, > Bob Lang > > |
#3
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The Saturn website also had 87 octane listed as the minimum octane
like all of the engines offered. This may be a bit of wishful thinking the moment you spin the supercharger up. http://www.saturn.com/saturn/feature...av=210&cat=Spe Some of the mechanics I deal with recomment that you do not use synthetics until the engine is fully broken in (1st. 15k miles). Some of the Saturn engines use oil pressure to maintain proper load on the tensioner of the timing chain. If you run the oil for too long it will increase viscosity, lowered oil pressure, and may lead to failure of the timing change. I'm not aware of unusual sludge or varnish buildup in the Saturn engines, so regular oil should be ok. On Mon, 04 Apr 2005 12:30:53 -0400, Bob > wrote: >Hi, > >I just bought an Ion Quad Coupe Redline. I have a few questions that I >couldn't get answered by the dealer... > >The docs that came with the car are Ion and have no mention of the >Redline. That's no big deal, but I was told by the dealer that the oil >changes MUST use Mobil 1 and that the oil change interval was "as usual" >meaning (more or less every 3k miles). I have no problem with that, but >the manual just says "use 5W30", there's no mention of synthetic anything. > >The other question is regarding fuel choice. The manual says use 87 >octane and then goes on to explain that using fuel rated lower than that >can cause knocking. Not exactly an earth-shattering revelation. But my >question is this: because the motor is "boosted", shouldn't you use >higher octane fuel to get the benefit of the supercharger (and not >suffer from engine management timing retard)? > >Please reply via mail, I don't visit this newsgroup very regularly. > >BTW, the car is a blast to drive! > >Regards, >Bob Lang |
#4
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Well, I hope that you do return to this post to read this. First of all, yes
you do need to run synthetic to properly maintain this particular variety of the ecotec engine. W/O getting into technicalities, Saturn thouroughly tested and proved that Mobil 1 would assist in keeping the engine running proper and safe under duress using this oil. Using plain oil WILL void your warranty and eventually allow damage to pistons, etc. The supercharged ION engines pistons are oil cooled, and Saturn has designed this engine to use the advantages of Mobil 1 to keep this engine running correctly and w/o consequential damage that would occur from using regular oil. You bought a performance car, and should maintain it like a performance car. If cost of Mobil 1 is a factor, then I can suggeat buying your own from your local parts store, and let Saturn do it or do it yourself (but if you do the latter, do bring it in for a check up once in awhile, missed service bulletins can be costly!) Secondly, the red line ION has a Supercharger and thus requires premium gas. Superchargers and turbos require higher octane that premium gasolines have and mid and lower grqades dont. Lastly, I am hearing so much from new Red Line owners that have bought from ignorant salesman that it makes me wanna scream! Not to mention that Saturn has never printed a specific owners manual for the ION RL, which is going to leave alot of new owners misinformed and hurting. DO check out www.redlineforums.com and www.saturnspot.com , you can find alot of RL owners there that can help you too. marx404 |
#5
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M. Cantera wrote: > The Saturn website also had 87 octane listed as the minimum octane > like all of the engines offered. This may be a bit of wishful > thinking the moment you spin the supercharger up. > > http://www.saturn.com/saturn/feature...av=210&cat=Spe > > Some of the mechanics I deal with recomment that you do not use > synthetics until the engine is fully broken in (1st. 15k miles). Some > of the Saturn engines use oil pressure to maintain proper load on the > tensioner of the timing chain. If you run the oil for too long it > will increase viscosity, lowered oil pressure, and may lead to failure > of the timing change. I'm not aware of unusual sludge or varnish > buildup in the Saturn engines, so regular oil should be ok. Possibly true years ago, but not so much now. Now the amount of friction from motor oils is a function of friction modifiers added to all motor oils. I still waited until 6,000 miles anyways. Also - the definition of "synthetic oil" is rather nebulous now. Some are made from the traditional "synthesized hydrocarbons" like Mobil 1, while others are highly processed petroleum oil (most of the major brands in the US now). |
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