With the all-new Chevrolet Cruze, Chevy is out to change what people think about a compact car. The 2011 Cruze will be stylish, fun to drive and fuel efficient, and the motivating force here is the company’s advanced powertrain technology. In fact, it’s so advanced even its oil filter is on the cutting edge.
The Cruze is available with a choice of two high-efficiency EcoTec four-cylinder engines: In the Cruze LS, the standard powerplant is a thrifty 1.8-liter unit that can make 138 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. A dynamic 1.4-liter turbo four, with the same horsepower and a punchier 148 lb-ft of torque, is standard on the Eco, LT and LTZ trims. Notably, that same engine turns out an estimated 40 mpg on the highway for the Cruze when mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission. The Cruze faces competition from Ford and Hyundai, but has he economy to match, Minneapolis Chevrolet Dealers say.
But not only were both engines specifically designed to supply an optimum mix of fun and fuel efficiency, and both also utilize a new cartridge-style oil filter that’s easier to change and easier to recycle than the traditional canister-design filter. To recycle a conventional oil filter recylers have to actually separate it into different parts and deal with the metal housing and certain other pieces separately. The oil filter used on the Cruze, on the other hand, is made solely of paper and plastic, requiring no special treatment on the part of recycling centers. It’s a continuation of the “greening” of the industry, Mazda Connecticut says.
The system is easier on home mechanics, too. The oil filter is set at the top of the engine, providing clear access for simple changes, and it’s also practically dripless, which helps prevent oil from leaking onto driveways or into water systems. Innovations that offer economy has been one of Honda’s advantages, Honda Dealer Washington DC says.
The new Chevy Cruze will bring its new-style oil-filter system—and a whole lot more—to local dealerships beginning in the third quarter of 2010.
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