SSpeckerwood
New member
Get locked up. You'll find out what it is.
Bottom line. Change your own oil and be worry free.
Changing your Sonic's oil.
- Thread starter Gimpster
- Start date
Get locked up. You'll find out what it is.
Bottom line. Change your own oil and be worry free.
mowcowbell
New member
I know this is a huge thread and pretty extensive, but thought I'd add a bit to it:
1) Instead of buying 4 individual quarts of Mobil1, why not buy a 5qt Jug? It's quite a bit cheaper and produces less packaging waste to throw away. At least here in Oklahoma, a 5 qt jug of Mobil 1 costs about the same a 4 individual quarts at the local Wal-Mart. Plus, you'll have an extra quart left over for the next change.
2) Use ramps instead of jacking up the vehicle.
Otherwise, nice write up. Seeing how easy it is to change the cartridge oil filter made me decide to do my own oil changes. I always hated changing spin-off oil filters, always ended up with oil on my hands or dripping down the engine.
My '13 Sonic LTZ 1.4L doesn't have that extensive belly pan. The oil drain plug is completely exposed on mine.
Darin
1) Instead of buying 4 individual quarts of Mobil1, why not buy a 5qt Jug? It's quite a bit cheaper and produces less packaging waste to throw away. At least here in Oklahoma, a 5 qt jug of Mobil 1 costs about the same a 4 individual quarts at the local Wal-Mart. Plus, you'll have an extra quart left over for the next change.
2) Use ramps instead of jacking up the vehicle.
Otherwise, nice write up. Seeing how easy it is to change the cartridge oil filter made me decide to do my own oil changes. I always hated changing spin-off oil filters, always ended up with oil on my hands or dripping down the engine.
My '13 Sonic LTZ 1.4L doesn't have that extensive belly pan. The oil drain plug is completely exposed on mine.
Darin
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SSpeckerwood
New member
I've got 22,000 miles and haven't changed my oil yet. My oil life meter is still sayin 23% though. You'd a ever thought you get 25,000 miles to the factory oil.
ChrisJ
Active member
I've got 22,000 miles and haven't changed my oil yet. My oil life meter is still sayin 23% though. You'd a ever thought you get 25,000 miles to the factory oil.
Either you're kidding, to remind us to never buy your used Sonic.
ThatTmoGuy
New member
I've got 22,000 miles and haven't changed my oil yet. My oil life meter is still sayin 23% though. You'd a ever thought you get 25,000 miles to the factory oil.
just saying, I read somewhere on here you change your oil more often than you shower or something like that...
ChrisJ
Active member
just saying, I read somewhere on here you change your oil more often than you shower or something like that...
Is her name Bowlwinder?
ThatTmoGuy
New member
ThatTmoGuy
New member
I expect he is looking up what a bowl winder is as we speak.
You know me too well
Quickest thing I could find lol
I thought It would convey they point well enough :blankface:
SSpeckerwood
New member
I'm kidding. Lmfao. I'll be doing my 4th oil change tomorrow. Unless it snows. Then I be making money.
mowcowbell
New member
I really appreciated this sticky thread on oil changes. I did my first oil change today at 1797 miles and went with Mobil 1 5W-30 and the AC Delco filter. 4 qts brought me up to close to the full mark on the dipstick, and I have a quart left for the next change.
The oil filter wasn't as hard to pull as I imagined, just as a fyi to anyone else - be sure and stuff plenty of paper towels around the oil filter cap as you loosen it. I had to clean up a bit of oil the dripped down the side of the housing. Luckily, I had a 24mm deep socket in my toolbox. The cap came off with a minimal amount of pressure.
The new filter just popped right on with no problems. I also replaced the oil gasket using the one that came with the AC Delco filter.
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
The oil filter wasn't as hard to pull as I imagined, just as a fyi to anyone else - be sure and stuff plenty of paper towels around the oil filter cap as you loosen it. I had to clean up a bit of oil the dripped down the side of the housing. Luckily, I had a 24mm deep socket in my toolbox. The cap came off with a minimal amount of pressure.
The new filter just popped right on with no problems. I also replaced the oil gasket using the one that came with the AC Delco filter.
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
ChrisJ
Active member
When I did the change on our Sonic and Cruze, both of which have the 1.4 I didn't have any oil spill out from the filter.
I pulled the drain plug and let the engine drain, while that was going on I loosened the oil filter, pulled it up just a hair to break the seal and then left it there. This allows it to drain down so when you remove it from the housing it doesn't dribble everywhere.
Remember, neatness counts. Seems like I can do my oil changes without a drop anywhere. Then there are times where I somehow manage to spill several quarts all over, I guess I make up for the spotless times.
ChrisJ
Active member
I knocked over my used oil bucket last time all over my parking lot where i live. I had to use like 30lbs of cat litter to absorb it all
I use to park in a parking lot too. All I can say is I'm so glad we don't live in an apartment anymore. Did for 7 years until April 2011 and I'll never miss it.