I think this was in the GM SI-2000 shop manual system from what I remember. It was a kind of "service person's introduction to the (then) new Chevy Sonic" My 2012 Sonic was made in September 2011 and does have the splash shield.
Changing your Sonic's oil.
- Thread starter Gimpster
- Start date
I think this was in the GM SI-2000 shop manual system from what I remember. It was a kind of "service person's introduction to the (then) new Chevy Sonic" My 2012 Sonic was made in September 2011 and does have the splash shield.
suitcasejefferson
Member
I only read the first post in this thread. My 2013 Sonic 1.4 does not have the belly pan. The only tools I needed were my trusty hydraulic floor jack, a 10mm end wrench (for the drain plug) a 15/16 socket and ratchet (for the filter housing) a pocket screwdriver (to remove the O ring) a funnel and a drain pan. I have an electric shop light. I also used a Fram filter. Not many companies are making filters for this engine yet, and Wally World did not have the AC/Delco filter. The spin on type Fram filters should never be used, but the cartridge type should be ok. I am doing several oil changes at short intervals to try and clean the engine out, as the previous owner did not take care of the car. Going to do 10 oil changes in 10,000 miles using regular oil to flush out the engine, then switch to a full synthetic and change it every 3,000 miles.
It took me about 20 minutes to do the second oil change, after figuring everything out on the first. I used one can of Wally Mart SuperTech brake cleaner. I use it to clean the drain plug, the bottom of the engine around where the drain plug goes, the oil filler cap, dipstick, and the black plastic housing that goes over the filter. Had I just thrown everything together, I could have done it in half that time. Really sad the owners manual has over 300 pages, but does not explain how to change the oil. I figured it out from a YouTube video.
It took me about 20 minutes to do the second oil change, after figuring everything out on the first. I used one can of Wally Mart SuperTech brake cleaner. I use it to clean the drain plug, the bottom of the engine around where the drain plug goes, the oil filler cap, dipstick, and the black plastic housing that goes over the filter. Had I just thrown everything together, I could have done it in half that time. Really sad the owners manual has over 300 pages, but does not explain how to change the oil. I figured it out from a YouTube video.
Don't forget your torque wrench. Torque values are imprinted on the oil pan and the oil filter housing. Proper torque is important sadly most don't bother to perform this final task.
JTee2017
Well-known member
Yeah, it appears many dealers do not take note of torque specs, especially on the oil pan bolt. I had to have my dealer replace two pan bolts after taking my truck and car there for 4 or 5 years. One day in summer I decided to change my own oil and low and behold, the pan bolts on both had corners rounded off. That means they were tightened excessively. My truck pan bolt had two corners rounded off so badly one was curled over.
And, the metal canister filter on my truck was on so #%#$@! tight that after trying 3 different filter wrenches I had to use channel locks to and mangle it to get it off.
i talked to both the service manager and service "consultant", gave them a written copy of my *concerns* and told them that if I see this happening again that i won't be taking my vehicles in for oil changes to them any more.
carsNskis
New member
Rounded bolts means they probably just used an impact instead of a hand wench.
Most Lube techs split .3 hours max of labor between two or three people on one oil change. It's all about speed and numbers, so power tools vs hand tools is usually part of the deal... always good to request the oil drain be hand torqued and inspect what you expect.
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Most Lube techs split .3 hours max of labor between two or three people on one oil change. It's all about speed and numbers, so power tools vs hand tools is usually part of the deal... always good to request the oil drain be hand torqued and inspect what you expect.
[emoji593][emoji809][emoji472]
JTee2017
Well-known member
Yup, I realize that the power tool use is the problem. My neighbor was a Chevy repair tech at a local dealer for many years.
If damaging my vehicle because of limited time (and pay) is the result, then Chevrolet and GM need to reinstruct their tech to set the torque on the power tool to correct specs. When I went to use a hand tool to loosen it, the drain plug was over torqued.
Also, how does that explain the oil filter being over tightened? No power tool use there. Just some ham fist tech.
carsNskis
New member
There's a HUGE difference between a lube tech and a master tech, like ability, quality of work and knowledge. My techs kick ass (15 techs and most have been there at least 5 years), but I can't speak for all dealerships as they're all different.
I'm fortunate to work for a shop that's well run and staffed by people who care about our work and reputation.
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Do i absolutely have to use Dexos 1? An oil change at the dealer is like $60
If you have a turbo, you definitely should want to. The Dexos standard is almost entirely about non-foaming and turbo compatibility. Non-turbo cars probably don't need it.
carsNskis
New member
$4/quart and a $5 filter, change it yourself if $50-60 is too much to pay for the convenience of having someone else do it...
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2014 Blue RS
Active member
Pela oil extractor. Suck out the hot dirty oil and refill. I'll open the drain plug at 100k but so far so good at about 40k.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
carsNskis
New member
Papasonic
Active member
I forgot that you were the OP of this thread! A lot of oil has been drained from our Sonic's since that original post.
Tweaterben
New member
Ohhhhh my man, Jiffy Lube won't worry about doing your oil either ... Keep your $17.99
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiCAJ8ULnaI
OssiansFolly
New member
Not to mention that $17.99 can't possibly be for a full synthetic that you should be using...
MerlinZero
New member
Has anyone run Valvoline VR-1 10w-30 yet? thinking about changing over to this on my next change (before track day 6/14)
FYI, there is a Conventional Dexos 1 oil, I think Kendall makes it. All others as far as i know, are synthetic. So, Dexos does not mean synthetic by definition. There is some spec within Dexos that is an add on. Many manufacturers have different concerns, especially with turbos. Daughter has a VW Jetta, they have their own specs. Some in response to issues the had with otherwise very good oils. Engine design can be a crazy influence sometimes.
We just bought a 2016 LT Hatchback with 1.8L Auto. I'm going with Pennzoil Platinum as it is one of the latest "best tested" oils. Made from Natural as (I did not know that) so it is pretty synthetic! I'm hoping to stick with one exact oil for life of the Sonic, even though Walmart and Amazon (Warren Oils) test very well. Using WIX Filters (unable to get the WIX XP Version of Oil filter at present time). I'll be Blackstone UOA a few times to know my engine better. Oil changes at 5K or 7K if computer says that. I prefer 5K so it is never late and SO EASY to keep track of. The Fleet of trucks I manage, typically go 7K or more by computer. A Sprinter can go 20K!
I got my Fumoto 106S Valve today. Looking forward to 1st oil change as soon as I hit a 45K miles. Oil was changed by used car dealer at 42K, just before we bought it a few weeks ago.
We just bought a 2016 LT Hatchback with 1.8L Auto. I'm going with Pennzoil Platinum as it is one of the latest "best tested" oils. Made from Natural as (I did not know that) so it is pretty synthetic! I'm hoping to stick with one exact oil for life of the Sonic, even though Walmart and Amazon (Warren Oils) test very well. Using WIX Filters (unable to get the WIX XP Version of Oil filter at present time). I'll be Blackstone UOA a few times to know my engine better. Oil changes at 5K or 7K if computer says that. I prefer 5K so it is never late and SO EASY to keep track of. The Fleet of trucks I manage, typically go 7K or more by computer. A Sprinter can go 20K!
I got my Fumoto 106S Valve today. Looking forward to 1st oil change as soon as I hit a 45K miles. Oil was changed by used car dealer at 42K, just before we bought it a few weeks ago.
