Changing your Sonic's oil.

[key1cc]

......Just as a reminder, you can buy those oil filters from Amazon for $6.15 each. I couldn't find a filter for less than $12 at local auto parts stores.

Darin

Thanks all for starting and adding to this thread. I picked up a couple OEM filters with o-rings today for $6.50 at the local dealership. I picked up Mobil 1 5w-30 (5 quart jug) for $43 at pep boys. I will do my first oil change tomorrow at around 2877 miles.
I have a 2013 1.4T LTZ built sept 2012. It did not come with a belly pan but I ordered one and will install after oil change.

Key1

 

[key1cc]

Well...just changed the oil for the first time. Like every one is saying it is pretty easy (thanks to this thread)...and this is the first time I ever had to change a cartridge type filter with the seperate cap. I am used to the spinning metal type. But this was not bad at all.

I used the Rhino Ramps technique that someone had mentioned and drove the front wheels on them which appears to nicely tilt the car in the direction of the drain plug for maximum drainage. I also loosened the filter cap a few turns and let the oil drain before removing it. As stated no drips no mess. The O-ring around the filter cap was pretty slippery so I used needle nose pliers to remove it....then installed the new O-ring after dipping it in new oil. I accessed the drain plug from the front of the car. Easy to get to (with no belly pan).

I have exactly 2885 miles and I observed no metal parts on the filter or in the pan as some other members observed..... the oil was dark brown and smelly though. My filter from the dealer has part number PF2257GF - ACDelco and it fit perfectly. Oh .............I just remembered to reset the oil life monitor as I was writing this. It was at 64% by the way.

As far as the belly pan goes....it was to cold out to worry about it. I will likely pop it on in the spring. I rarely go on the highway so there is no rush.


Key1

 

[Bogus]

Your oil was dark brown with only 2885 miles and 64%? Yikes.

 

[slitzell]

My oil is brown every oil change at 3000, as was the oil in all my other cars. Brown is good, black sludge is not lol

 

[$ub$onic]

Last time I built a engine I had to use a paint scraper on the oil pan because there was so much slug

 

[Bogus]

Oh okay never changed oil early myself. Damn $ub that's bad haha.

 

[$ub$onic]

Its amazing what 350k can do to a motor.... I was totally horrified by it

 

[jmben91]

1.8 Sonic differences....

Hey everyone...

On Sunday, Sonny got his first oil change (Oil life moniter was reading 45% but I couldn't stand to wait anymore...)

Well, I just figured I'd post to here with my own findings about the 1.8 (it looks like this post was originally about a 1.4T) Anyhow.... the Air deflector thing underneath the car posed no problem for the 1.8- the plug location made it so that it didn't drip onto the deflector at all---so no need to remove it for 1.8 Sonics!! ALSO>>>>>> in case you are doing your oil change at a friends and are brining your own tools.....

MY 1.8 USED A T-40 TORX SCREW FOR THE DRAIN PLUG!!! So.... just be sure to bring that kind of socket wrench with you to avoid the embarassment of having to drive back home to get more tools

Other than that, Gimpster's original write up was great! Thanks a ton!!

-John

 

[mowcowbell]

Thanks all for starting and adding to this thread. I picked up a couple OEM filters with o-rings today for $6.50 at the local dealership. I picked up Mobil 1 5w-30 (5 quart jug) for $43 at pep boys. I will do my first oil change tomorrow at around 2877 miles.
I have a 2013 1.4T LTZ built sept 2012. It did not come with a belly pan but I ordered one and will install after oil change.

Key1

$43 for a jug of Mobil 1? Don't you have a Wal-Mart in your neck of the woods? That same jug of Mobil 1 at Wal-Mart should run you less than $30.

Darin

 

[slitzell]

My 5qt jug costed me 25 bucks

 

[$ub$onic]

When I buy 12 quarts its cost 106......

 

[acire91]

5qt jug of Mobil 1 was like 24 something at my local Wal-Mart. I opted for Royal Purple though

 

[$ub$onic]

Good man

 

[lambertsonic]

Castrol edge syntec here , but every synthetic oil on the market is good enough .

 

[$ub$onic]

Its always irritated me to use cheap oil. I mean the farm truck is one thing but anything I drive on the road I always use good lube in everything. I hate any mechanical noises what so ever

 

[lambertsonic]

Its always irritated me to use cheap oil. I mean the farm truck is one thing but anything I drive on the road I always use good lube in everything. I hate any mechanical noises what so ever

What do you define as cheap oil ?

 

[$ub$onic]

Walmart brand
I have never used anything less the Mobil one and rotella t and have never had a engine failure due to oil even in our generators
Our main gen has 9000 hours on it witch it runs 6hours avg a day. Say it was in a car going 55mph that's almost a half a million miles

 

[dvn]

Walmart oil is just re-branded name brand oil. Usually Pennzoil or whoever they are buying from at the time. I'm sure it's fine for most applications. That said, I've been running Mobil 1 EP in all my vehicles lately.

 

[Wong]

Did my first oil change today... bought mobil1 5w30 and a wix filter.

Jacked the car up and....

...no belly pan

Changed it in like 30 mins when I thought it would be an hour ordeal.

 

[LTZ ICE]

I believe the reason for the belly pan is for aerodynamic purposes.