I just converted my 2005 SXT to 5W20 full synthetic (Valvoline synpower ).The car has 60,000 miles on it. Anyone else done this? Also I started using Chevron 87 octane instead of the 93 octane I've always used. Should be fine. Right? I want what's best for the car. Even though it is almost a daily driver {wife),nothing ever seems to go wrong with the car.Me being a tinkerer with a lot of time on my hands, about all I do is clean on it.(you could eat off the engine bay). How often do you perfectionists change spark plugs? There is a saying on the Saab network,"Even if it ain't broke,maybe we can still fix it".

 

I switched mine to synthetic at 80 or 90,000 something miles. Only reason I'm not using syn still is the car leaks oil from something like the cam seal.

High octane is not "better" than lower octane fuel. Use what the car needs. Anything more and you are simply wasting money.

For maintenance intervals, go to the maintenance thread in my sig.

 

-I still run synthetic in mine. Mostly Pennzoil Platinum 5w20, but sometimes Mobil 1 5w20. I bought 4 1/2 years ago it with 19k on it, and now she's sitting at 121k. No drips or leaks, and no oil smoke either. I change the plugs every year or so. NGK V-Power or G-Power plugs are what I use. Never did like Champion even though they were the stock plug. I still pull the plugs a couple times a year to check the gaps and see how they are burning. I also use regular 87 octane gas. Every now and then I'll run some Seafoam, Marvel's Mystery Oil, or B12 ChemTool in the tank.

L8R,
Matt

 

Thanks for the reply! I also installed NGK sparkplugs.I just put in what the NGK website said. Which ones do you recommend? I have never used Seafoam,but occasionally use Chevron Techron. Do you think Seafoam is better. I value your advice, especially since you have 121,000 miles on your car.

 

Thinks for your advice. 87 octane is a lot cheaper. Gas is very expensive in Key West. I see from your picture that you have the spoiler removed from your car. My wife (who is short) is always complaining about the spoiler blocking her view. How hard is to take off, without messing up anything? Love your car,really looks nice.

 

Thanks for your advice. 87 octane is a lot cheaper. Gas is very expensive here in Key West. I love your car.Beautiful blue. Also I see your spoiler is removed. My wife (who is short) is always complaining about the spoiler blocking her view. How hard is it to remove without messing things up?

 

Thank you! I do love the Patriot Blue!

I've read that running anything higher than 87 in a regular Neon could potentially give you worse gas mileage due to how the computer does its thing. Dunno how true that is, but it came from people that know more about Neons than I do.

Anyways, AFAIK, you just undo the bolts under the trunk lid (while having someone hold the spoiler of course) and it just comes off. You might have to do a little clean up of the paint where the spoiler and gaskets were, but other than that, you just need to plug the holes.

 

-I'd say just go with the V-Power plugs, but if you went with the standard NGK then that would also be better than the worn, original plugs. You might want to pick up a set of new plug wires sometime too. As for Seafoam, I think it's better than Techron. But Techron is WAY better than not using anything at all. Another thing is to use a good oil filter too. Something like a Wix or Purolator PureOne. Stay away from the old "orange cans." Learned that one back when I was in school with my RoadRunner....

L8R,
Matt

 

The V-Powers aren't anything special. Either or will work. Get whatever is cheaper.

 

I will get some V powered NGK plugs. I use the best Bosch oil filters. A little expensive,but I have to spend very little money,or time on repairs(so far),I figure it is money well spent. I would like to have some Bougichord plug wires, but they don't seem to have them for the Neon. I guess Mopar would be the next best. What do you recommend? Thanks for your help.