When should I do the first oil change? I'd always heard you should do the 1st one earlier.
Also how many miles/km's should I wait before switching to Mobil 1?
I'm referring to the 2.2 engine.

 

if you break it in properly, and plan on driving aggresively, id change the oil 500-1000 miles

 

The Cobalt has an engine oil life system. It tells you when to change the oil. The manual does say if you accidentally reset the oil life system you should change the oil after 3000 miles. The SS/SC has mobil 1 from the factory.

 

so can i do one after 500 miles, then the computer will tell me when to do all of the next ones?

 

first change between 500-1000, second change at a total of 3000 miles. After that, whatever schedule you normally use (I'm every 3000). I don't know what the on-board system will tell you.

 

When you change the oil your supposed to reset the oil like system to let it know. So if you changed it @500 miles you would reset it and it would start the count down from there. I am not sure exactly how it monitors the engine oil. But from what I have read it looks like the computer monitors the engine and your driving habits and uses that information to estimate the oil life more accurately. I know myself I almost never change the oil at exactly 3000 miles. I check the oil and see if it's down, if it looks darker, ect. The oil life system just does a better job of doing that objectively.

 

so how do you reset it?

 

My Boss and VP at work both drive BMW's, 7 and 5 series.

They run synthetic and the maitenance schedule for oil is changin it every 15,000 miles.
I'll ask tomorrow if that applies to the first change as well.

I've read studies that are still going strong at 18,000 plus miles on synthetic with just a filter change.

The manual says that in ideal conditions you could go for a year without changing oil.
But that you should change the filter once a year at least.
THe oil life monitor works off of engine temp and rpm readings.

 

I'm pretty sure that you just bring up the oil life on the DIC and then the button on the right resets it. I'd have to double check the manual to be sure......

 

No, you have to go into the preferences menu.

 

So I looked at the oil life system a bit more. Basically the computer in the car monitor engine parameters like engine heat and driving style and uses that information to give a more accurate estimate of when to change the oil. GM said it helps people from changing the oil every 3000 miles which isn't really needed in most cases. This way you change the oil when it's actually needed so you don't waste oil on unneeded changes over the life time of the car.


So in essence the engine oil life system is smarter and more objective than us humans at knowing when to change the oil.

 

I don't know about you, but I will be happy when our electronic overlords come to rule.

All hail the machines!

Seriously though, thats cool..if it works.

 

I did my first oil change at 2000 miles. Most were highway miles though. Switched to Mobil 1 when I did.

 

Is the new Mobil 1 Extended Performance available in the USA yet?
I haven't seen it in Toronto yet. If so, are the regular Mobil 1 and Mobil 1 Extended Performance both available and how much more is the new one?

Also any oil filters to recommend? I have never seen the Mobil 1 High Efficiency Oil Filter in Toronto.

 

I thought the new 2.2 needed oil changes every 6,000 miles.
As far as the cartridge filters, their expensive as hell.

 

Are the filter cartridges the same as in like the 2003-up cavaliers???

cause my bro has a 2002 cavy and wow is that hard to change oil... but i have a 2003 cavy and its easy as pie .... anyone know what kind of oil filter cartridges come with it and where they are located? easy or hard to find?

 

The oil filters go in the top of the motor.

 

Check your owners manual. I have heard early oil changes on rebuilt engines. Like a hopped up small block Chevy ect. I have never heard of it on a new factory engine.

My Dads Civic was refused its first oil change--it was too early. Honda puts aditives in the oil to aid in break-in. Not sure if GM does the same though.

 

Change the oil when the DIC reads 0% oil life remaining

 

for all you guys that now have an SS/SC how difficult was your first oil change ? there was also a few questions on exact placement of the filter. Would any of you be so kind as to take a pic of where the filter is located (if your not too busy driving it still)

 

I am just a hair below 1k mile mark and my oil life is at about 87%. I dunno if it's going to drop really fast or if I am on pace for a 7.5k oil change mark.

So I haven't changed my oil yet and when I get it changed I will take it to the dealer to get it done.

 

At 2k miles mine still said 78% oil life. I still changed it though and upgraded to mobil 1.

 

You didn't reset it when you changed the oil ?

SS/SC has mobil 1 from the factory. I usually don't worry about what type of oil I put in a car, just that I change it on a regular basis. I guess with the mobil 1 from the factory I will have to be a bit more concerned on what I get put in there.

 

1k on it and you havent changed the oil?? its time!

 

No I haven't the manual says you are supposed to pay attention to the oil life system. It doesn't say get the oil changed after the first 1000 miles. Changing oil before it's needed wastes resources and thats specifically what the OIL life system is designed to curb.