Family had to pick up some things at Walmart, since my car just hit slightly over 3k miles I thought about getting my oil changed. Never would go back to walmart to get my oil changed becuase one time they left my oil filter on my Camaro loose. I had oil leaking all the way home. Called them and they fixed the issue and gave me 2 free oil changes after. After that I have been doing my own changes ever since. Since I was at walmart already I thought to myself, I'll just buy what I need and go home and change it. So I bought 3 5 quart bottles of the Mobile 1 fully synth. 3 bottles will give me enough for two changes. + a little extra. I need to get to the point, my question is are fram filters good enough for my oil filter replacement. It looks just the the stock one but I do not want to harm anything. Did anyone else use a fram? If my dealer happens to see this will it void my warinity since its not a AC Delco?

 

As long as the thread on the oil filter, and the gasket seals and fits properly, then you should be fine, and look in the parts book to make sure i will work for the cobalt

 

First of all there better not be threads on the oil filter. WE HAVE A CANISTER FILTER! There better not be any threads and it better not be metal! if you have a normal oil filter that has a gasket on it and threads then you have the wrong one. Ecotecs have a canister filter. You need the tool to loosen the cannister filter also. I work at Jiffy Lube so believe me I know. I work on my 06 ss sc there. It is a bitch to get to but u can do it. The canister sits under the blower on the ss incase you can not find it. Get the right tool and a ratchet and you can bust it loose. make sure to replace the rubber ring that sits on the plastic piece u take off because it helps it to seal better! do not over-tighten either!!!!!

 

One other thing - most automotive forums agree; Frams are bad. Of course, changing every 3000 probably won't make a difference, but you never know.

I'm using the Purolator Pure One.

 

I always use the OEM filter - they cost the same as any other filter (around $7) and are usually better then the cheap after market filters.

You will need a 32mm socket and 10 inch extension to get the canister lid off. And don't forget to unplug the sensor (i think it is a coolant temp sensor) so you don't damage the wires or sensor itself and don't forget to plug it back in...

The SS/SC takes 6 quarts of oil so you will need some more oil if you want enough for 3 oil changes. Don't worry after you change the oil then try to read on the dipstick and it doesn't look right. You need to drive the car a bit then let it sit for about 15-30 minutes or longer until you can get an acurate reading on the oil. The dipstick should read around the top or the middle of the dipstick depending on how long it has been sitting. If it reads in the middle that is fine - my car always reads right in the middle unless I check it after an hour or so then it will read just below the MAX mark.

 

fram blows; get the purolator one filter;

 

I'm just curious but why did you change it at 3k miles? You can go much longer with the synthetic oil.

 

I sorta follow the oil life meter... when its hits 35% I start planning on changing it.

-Rich

 

Ok, I know how to change the oil but yea, the reason why I changed at 3k is because its the first time I am doing it. I just wanted to know if a fram filter would work ok, from the feedback it seems like most of you do not like it. I'm going to stop at the dealer and see if I can get an OEM filter. If not I'm not sure where to get one. Of course I have a app. at the dealer today because I fond a cupon for 28 bucks for a oil change there. If they value it I will just keep doing that cuz I have plenty of cupons. Hell, thats like 50% off a oil change even if I do it myself it cost about 40-50 dollars. If they don't honor the cupon I have I'll just buy a filter from them and do it myself. Someone said I need more then 3 containers of oil, I posted I bought 3 5quart oil bottles. This will be enough for 2 oil changes because my SS/SC takes about 6.5 quarts. 3 bottles of oil = 15 quarts. Two oil changes = 13 quarts. Give or take some. I also am changing it today because I am going to the drag races tomarrow and I would like fresh brand new oil running. It may not make a differance but at least I'll have the satisfaction of fresh oil in the engine before I go drag raceing for my best times stock. Hopefully the last day its stock. Thank you for your thoughts on the fram filter.

 

watch out with those coupons - I had one and talked to the dealership and they said "oh yeah it is for any car no matter what oil". After getting my car back I check the receipt to find they used conventional oil and not synthetic. Of course then I was pissed and had to make them change it again, and they said then - "well you have to pay extra for synthetic". I was pissed cuz that is why I made sure BEFORE I had them do it. After complaining they changed it synthetic without any charge, but I will never let them change my oil again at the dealership. I mean, ****, it says right on the damn oil cap "use Mobil 1 synthtic oil".

 

What sensor needs unplugging? I've changed my oil twice and haven't unplugged any sensor because there is none on the way. The car takes 6.5 Qts with a filter change btw and 6 w/o (you can hear the sudden spilling of that .5 qts into the pan when you get the filter cap loose.

Oh funny story too...lost my hold on my 1-1/4" socket last night. It then managed to find its way under my intake manifold where no one can reach but finally i was able to hook a wire hanger into it and hank it out, only to get it wedged again. What a pain this car can be.

 

I'm not sure which sensor it is, but i think it is one of the temp sensors. You don't HAVE to unplug it, but I am afraid if I slip I might break the harness then I will have to replace it... here is a pic - you can see the sensor is directly over the canister:

 

The filter starts draining as soon as the car turns off - it doesn't retain any oil like a bottom-mounted filter would. I let the oil drain for 15 minutes or so, and by the time I take the filter off, there's no drip at all.

I also fill with the recommended 6 qts, and the dipstick reading is right in the middle. After 8000 miles (went by the OLM, and let it run to 1%), it was still right in the middle, and the oil was only starting to get brown. (for you guys that doubt the OLM, it has worked perfectly for me so far)

You can fill 6.5 qts if you want, but remember, there is such a thing as too much oil. It's actually better to run a quart low than a quart too much. Besides, Costco here sells Mobil 1 in such convenient 6-packs. I'm not going to buy a whole other case based on heresay.

 

Haha, I always drop things into my bay and they are a bitch to find. Pretty much every socket i have, 2 relays, stage 2 bolt, stage 2 bolt remover bit, Sunglasses (Oakleys), My brain, etc. Where do they go? I have no idea...

 

Our engine bays are to nuts and bolts just like dryers are to socks. I've lost a couple things in there, too...nothing critical, though. (yet)

 

Yea, I've had things drop into the bay as well. It's not easy to get stuff out of there either. I always have my magnetic extention thingie ready, but with so much metal, you have to have a steady arm to get the parts back...