Changing your Sonic's oil.

[Ponchoguy]

The writeup is excellent and very detailed. I would add:

1) Check the owner's manual for the proper oil. For the 1.8L, it's 5W30 and Dexos 1 approved. I use full synthetic from either Walmart (house brand) or Quaker State, but as long as it's 5W30 and Dexos 1 approved, you should be good to go.

2) Yes, there is a low profile 24mm socket for the oil filter. Lisle among others offer it. Alternatively, a 1/2" drive ratchet with a 24mm socket works fine.

3) I suggest keeping a new oil filter cap and spare drain pan bolts on hand, as the 10mm can be easily enough to strip.

4) On the 1.8L, the OM states 4.78 quarts with filter (I've also seen 4.80 on some other publications)

5) Put some Neverseez on the splash shield bolts as they can get crusty in short order with some of us that live in salt/snow prone areas.

6) Per GM's directive, make sure the oil fill cap is seated straight when you reinstall.

7) Don't forget to reset the oil life indicator .

 

[brainpause]

Thank you, General Motors, for making a cheap plastic oil filter cap knuckle buster

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[MaD]

Ouch... that's why you gotta wear gloves... when I did mine a few weeks ago, that damm oil drain plug was damm near seized and had to use channel locks to get it to remove... thanks GM techs for 500flbs of torque... [emoji13]

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[2014 Blue RS]

Pela 650 fluid extractor...

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[Llia]

Pela 650 fluid extractor...

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But then how do you remove the contaminants that fall to the bottom of the pan?

 

[2014 Blue RS]

But then how do you remove the contaminants that fall to the bottom of the pan?

You do it when the engine is warm and most of the contaminants are suspended in the fluid still. And trust the filter to do its job. I do my oil changes in 5k increments because it's easy for me to remember. Probably do regular oil change at the 60k, 90k services.

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[pbkn1p]

So I decided to change my oils for the first time myself. Always have taken it to the dealer. When I lifted the car, I did not have the belly pan. I have a 16 RS hatch.
Do all Sonics come with the belly pan. Or is mine missing ??


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[2014 Blue RS]

So I decided to change my oils for the first time myself. Always have taken it to the dealer. When I lifted the car, I did not have the belly pan. I have a 16 RS hatch.
Do all Sonics come with the belly pan. Or is mine missing ??


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GM stopped putting them on a few years back.

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[pbkn1p]

GM stopped putting them on a few years back.

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Thanks man!! That I didn't know. I thought maybe it was taken off and never put back on.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Thanks man!! That I didn't know. I thought maybe it was taken off and never put back on.

I have an early (September 2011) 2012 model and it has one. It's a few extra minutes to take off the pan, but I do it each time I change the oil. I also greased up the bolts holding it as they were getting crusty.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Thank you, General Motors, for making a cheap plastic oil filter cap knuckle buster

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As others noted, I wear gloves when I do the work on the car, and Lisle makes low profile sockets that work well on the oil filter cap (I have that set). But, I typically just use a regular depth Craftsman 24mm socket (1/2" drive) with a ratchet and I'm good to go. The drain bolt works best to use a 10mm socket that's six point.

I keep an extra filter cap and drain plugs on hand. They are cheap enough.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

So I decided to change my oils for the first time myself. Always have taken it to the dealer. When I lifted the car, I did not have the belly pan. I have a 16 RS hatch.
Do all Sonics come with the belly pan. Or is mine missing ??


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Only the early 2012's had them. Mine was made in Feb 2012 and doesn't have one.

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[MS93]

My Sonic is for an oil change in 80 miles. Gonna take it this weekend. I have a coupon at Jiffy lube for $17.99. That's cheaper than the price of the oil and filter from the store, plus I don't have to worry about doing it myself lol

 

[Ponchoguy]

My Sonic is for an oil change in 80 miles. Gonna take it this weekend. I have a coupon at Jiffy lube for $17.99. That's cheaper than the price of the oil and filter from the store, plus I don't have to worry about doing it myself lol

Are they using Dexos 1 compliant oil for that price? (I don't think so). Be careful, the Sonic requires Dexos 1 compliant oil. I do mine myself so I know what goes into the engine and that it's done right.

 

[Silversn95]

I switched a long time ago from using a jack and jack stands to low profile ramps. It reduces the time to do oil changes and require less work. I think the ones I have a Rhino ramps. Plastic with anti skid pads . Works will on all my cars including a mustang with a long and low front overhang.


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[Ponchoguy]

I switched a long time ago from using a jack and jack stands to low profile ramps. It reduces the time to do oil changes and require less work. I think the ones I have a Rhino ramps. Plastic with anti skid pads . Works will on all my cars including a mustang with a long and low front overhang.


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I used to use ramps, but now I use a jack and stands. I saved and repaired an older (1984 era) Walker floor jack and it works like a champ, nice and low and lifts the cars in a few pumps. Of course it's old school American made....

 

[MS93]

Are they using Dexos 1 compliant oil for that price? (I don't think so). Be careful, the Sonic requires Dexos 1 compliant oil. I do mine myself so I know what goes into the engine and that it's done right.

Do i absolutely have to use Dexos 1? An oil change at the dealer is like $60

 

[Llia]

Do i absolutely have to use Dexos 1? An oil change at the dealer is like $60

You have to make sure it's Full Synthetic. Normally the cheap oil changes use Synthetic blend. You'll have to pay extra for Full Synthetic. Their price is just to get you in the door.
I would also make sure they actually change your filter. You should be able to watch them put the new one in and pray they don't over torque your oil cap or drain bolt.

I change my oil every 3-5K or 60%-50% remaining on the oil life meter. $35 for Mobil 1 Full Synthetic and a Filter.

I only ever started working on my own car because I came away from an oil change place that gave my car back with no oil in it. They drained it and presumably changed the filter. Luckily it was a Honda and I only drove 8 miles to get home and find it smoking.
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[Ponchoguy]

Do i absolutely have to use Dexos 1? An oil change at the dealer is like $60

The GM requirement (at least in my 2012) is 5W30 and Dexos1. If you do not use Dexos1 compliant oil, you are not complying with the GM requirements for the vehicle.

Walmart's Supertech full synthetic oil is about $17.50 for a 5 quart jug and it is Dexos1 compliant. That will work for your Sonic.

There's a new standard for oil in the 2018 models, it's "2nd Generation Dexos 1" which the Walmart Supertech full synthetic will also meet later this fall/early next year.

 

[Ponchoguy]

You have to make sure it's Full Synthetic. Normally the cheap oil changes use Synthetic blend. You'll have to pay extra for Full Synthetic. Their price is just to get you in the door.
I would also make sure they actually change your filter. You should be able to watch them put the new one in and pray they don't over torque your oil cap or drain bolt.

I change my oil every 3-5K or 60%-50% remaining on the oil life meter. $35 for Mobil 1 Full Synthetic and a Filter.

I only ever started working on my own car because I came away from an oil change place that gave my car back with no oil in it. They drained it and presumably changed the filter. Luckily it was a Honda and I only drove 8 miles to get home and find it smoking.
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There are plenty of semi-synthetic oils that are Dexos1 compliant and would meet the GM requirements (The Delco branded oil being one of them, but of course it is made for them by someone). But, I agree with you and I too use full synthetic. I also agree with doing it yourself, as I do.

Most quick change places wouldn't use Dexos1 oil, they might use regular dino that's a spec or two behind the current Dexos1 standard. Some might not even KNOW if they are using Dexos1 compliant oil or not. LOL. Dexos 1 replaces the previous GM6094M standard. My nephew's 2010 Malibu and my 2009 G6 only require GM6094M. Using Dexos1 is fine, as it is a more stringent standard than what was originally required.

Another reason to do it yourself. You know what goes in there and that it's done right.