Changing your Sonic's oil.
- Thread starter Gimpster
- Start date
sx sonic
New member
I've never seen an oil bathed timing "BELT" on an engine, and I've done a few timing belts and serviced even more cars.
It is outside the engine, but inside a plastic or steel cover.
Occasionally it will drive the water pump, usually the accessory belt will drive the water pump. On the sonic an electric motor drives the water pump.
A timing "CHAIN" is bathed in engine oil.
It is inside the engine in the sense that if you could not even remove the cover and run the engine for any length of time.
FatBoyPup- That is not right, the dealer should be using dexos1 approved oil. I suppose if the DEALER wants to eat the repair bill if a catastrophic engine failure occurred, I'd be ok with them using their normal bulk oil in my car and changing it at 3k miles. I can tell you that GM will not warranty an engine repair/replacement if they catch wind that an unapproved oil was used.
It is outside the engine, but inside a plastic or steel cover.
Occasionally it will drive the water pump, usually the accessory belt will drive the water pump. On the sonic an electric motor drives the water pump.
A timing "CHAIN" is bathed in engine oil.
It is inside the engine in the sense that if you could not even remove the cover and run the engine for any length of time.
FatBoyPup- That is not right, the dealer should be using dexos1 approved oil. I suppose if the DEALER wants to eat the repair bill if a catastrophic engine failure occurred, I'd be ok with them using their normal bulk oil in my car and changing it at 3k miles. I can tell you that GM will not warranty an engine repair/replacement if they catch wind that an unapproved oil was used.
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AndrewGS
Ultimo Hombre
Total nonsense. The 3.6L V6 stretches it's chains on regular oil and long intervals, that's why they did the Dexos1 oil and rolled back the intervals in those cars' systems. They are either dumb as rocks or just want to rape you on oil changes.
ChrisJ
Active member
I'm a 8900 miles on the Cruze's oil and around 9000 miles on my Sonic's oil.
Wanted to do them both this weekend but don't have the money till next week
and too much going on right now.
Both OLM's are saying less then 20% left on oil but I should be golden being both have M1 in them. From what I've seen guys as well as OA say I wouldn't be doing this on GM's dexos1 synthetic blend. Seems like that stuff is only good for 7-8K at the most.
Also, most of this is highway mileage, especially the Sonic.
Wanted to do them both this weekend but don't have the money till next week
and too much going on right now.
Both OLM's are saying less then 20% left on oil but I should be golden being both have M1 in them. From what I've seen guys as well as OA say I wouldn't be doing this on GM's dexos1 synthetic blend. Seems like that stuff is only good for 7-8K at the most.
Also, most of this is highway mileage, especially the Sonic.
Gsrdude
New member
Careful here. Not related to our cars as we have element filters.
Yes, the orange regular Fram filter is "Junk", cardboard end caps etc... Though I've yet to see a motor go using one yet.
Now move up to the Fram X2/XG Series and you have of the best filters on the market. So watch where you spread info you can come out looking foolish
sprchik
New member
I sent in oil from my first oil change on my 2013 1.8L auto to Blackstone. 1,407 miles (90+% highway) on the car/oil. Oil life meter was at 82%. Car was built end of Oct/early Nov '12, and didn't sell until May 30th, 2013 - so it sat on the lot for 7 months.
It was changed at the dealer (freebie), and they let me back in the service area to watch (not allowed under the car on the hoist though, of course).
Interesting to note, IIRC, I don't think the service guy cracked the filter canister while the oil was draining. Because the car was up in the frigging air while the oil drained.
For fun, and after reading so many different opinions on this forum, I asked Blackstone if, based on the OA results, they thought I should have changed the oil sooner.
Sample:
Results:
(columns chopped in closer together, for less blank space)
It was changed at the dealer (freebie), and they let me back in the service area to watch (not allowed under the car on the hoist though, of course).
Interesting to note, IIRC, I don't think the service guy cracked the filter canister while the oil was draining. Because the car was up in the frigging air while the oil drained.
For fun, and after reading so many different opinions on this forum, I asked Blackstone if, based on the OA results, they thought I should have changed the oil sooner.
Sample:
Results:
(columns chopped in closer together, for less blank space)
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Lovehanayo
New member
sprchik
New member
Is it really better to crack the seal on the filter first before/while draining oil from the pan?
I ask because I went to the dealer today for an oil change, and mentioned this. Tech pretty much refused to do it, said it wasn't necessary, and that all the oil would still drain out of it (filter).
I ask because I went to the dealer today for an oil change, and mentioned this. Tech pretty much refused to do it, said it wasn't necessary, and that all the oil would still drain out of it (filter).
Personally, I think it might be better to remove the oil drain plug, then remove the oil filter cap. That's only because the oil comes out a little slower with the cap in place while you are trying to remove the plug. It can be less messy. That said, the oil does flow better with the filter cap removed.
It's going to drain either way, but no matter what you do you're not going to get all the oil out.
It's going to drain either way, but no matter what you do you're not going to get all the oil out.
T-BONE
New member
http://gallery.mailchimp.com/f64139...ail&utm_term=0_e2620cd91d-ce21550aef-77599974
Good article from Blackstone
Good article from Blackstone
sprchik
New member
From the owner's manual... 10-11 & 10-12
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that indicates when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on a combination of factors which include engine revolutions, engine temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, the system must be reset every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary. A Code 82 (change engine oil soon) DIC message comes on. See Vehicle Messages on page 5‑25. Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 1000 km (600 mi). It is possible that, if driving under the best conditions, the oil life system might indicate that an oil change is not necessary for up to a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and, at this time, the system must be reset. Your dealer has trained service people who will perform this work and reset the system. It is also important to check the oil regularly over the course of an oil drain interval and keep it at the proper level.
Hope that helps!
ChrisJ
Active member
Right now my personal opinion is pull filter cap up a hair, loosen but do not remove fill cap then crawl under and pull drain plug.
If you don't at least loosen the fill cap first it causes it to gurgle and splatter all over instead of draining fast and smooth. I do not remove the fill cap as I like to keep dust\dirt\aluminum cans\small animals out of the engine while its draining.
davecerv
New member
I think its time.
So I've been thinking if should do the first oil change myself on my sonic ltz hatch (1.8) or take it to the dealer. I keep thinking anout it and now I'm at 2,600something miles and the meter says I have 65%. It looks like it isn't too hard to do it yourself especially with the oil filter being where its at now. I would change the oil myself on my old civic. I'm thinking about getting the oem filter and using mobil 1 oil.
So I've been thinking if should do the first oil change myself on my sonic ltz hatch (1.8) or take it to the dealer. I keep thinking anout it and now I'm at 2,600something miles and the meter says I have 65%. It looks like it isn't too hard to do it yourself especially with the oil filter being where its at now. I would change the oil myself on my old civic. I'm thinking about getting the oem filter and using mobil 1 oil.