Repair-It

Really nothing to say. 5 quarts and a filter. I went with Pennzoil full synthetic and a Wix. These new Dexos 1 gen 3 GF-6A oils might give the best protection for timing chains on direct injected engines so that's something.

OLM said 9% but the miles were only a little past the oil change sticker. I doubt that sticker recommended more than a 3-5k interval so this tells me GM definitely fixed their ridiculous OLM issues of a few years prior. The SRX may have such an OLM based on the 13-14k recommended intervals (when extrapolated from the remaining %).

Did another and oil change. About 5k. Said 14% remaining.

Jamie reports oil change soon came up which is new. It seems well calibrated to my preferred 5,000 mile interval on high quality synthetic. I don't know that it requires synthetic the way my Cadillac's did but I think it requires Dexos which is a decent standard (but may be met with a semi-synthetic). I'd like to say GM has learned something but not clear. I guess I'll take care of this next and give it the usual inspection and tire rotation.

Turns out it went 5,282 miles on this interval which is fine. Oil life monitor said 2% remaining. I do think the Pennzoil consumes a bit more and I was worried about that. I did pull more than 4 quarts out and it holds 5 so I guess that's acceptable.

Ian actually helped with this oil change. I took him through the oil change, inspection of everything, and tire rotation. He pulled on wrenches, pulled tires off, used the torque wrench and got a little dirty.

Also secured a few things (wheel well liners plus an under body cover) with some spare GM push retainers that I had from Cadillac ownership. Overall things are good. No issues spotted. Brakes still have meat. Shocks aren't leaking. No torn boots or rubber things. I did spot a brake line union for one of the rear lines which I assume was not factory, though the lines going in and out were both black, so I'm kind of at a loss. Perhaps a dealer actually made this repair?? The parking brake cable also is looking shabby (and may actually be not working/seized on the passenger side based on an anecdote from Ian during the flat tire fiasco) so I need to tell Jamie to leave it alone.

Another round of oil and tire rotation. Used Valvoline R&P and an AC Delco filter. 152k. Less than a quart of oil consumption. Things are still looking good. The parking brake cable hasn't improved.

There is a cover on the pass side subframe that is broken and a piece of the plastic is sticking down a bit. I think it catches on the Quick Jacks sometimes. I should replace it but I need to find the P/N.

Front right brake pads a little more warn than left. I partially retracted the caliper and nothing was bound so I'm ignoring it until it needs a brake job.

I spilled oil while pouring. Actually I didn't. But I guess the valve cover can't take the rate it comes out of my funnel so it backed up and spilled underneath. Some went toward the intake manifold and some toward the exhaust which I smelled after restarting. Wild theory: do the plastic intake manifolds on these get oil and warp? They are known for intake leaks and this one needed the bolts tightened once and maybe needs it again. Or a new intake/gasket. Interesting.

Here's some stuff. Don't know if any of these is right.
https://www.carid.com/2014-chevy-malibu ... Name][]=LT