Topic: Oil Change ?'s

[tazz]

Need to know how hard or easy it is to change the oil in the GXP?
Where is the Oil filter located and anything else special I need to know?
Thanks

[DeepBlueGXP]

It's easy, get a set of Rhino Ramps and #15mm wrench for the oil plug.  The oil filter is on top of the engine You need a special socket.  1 1/4" short socket or a 32mm.  Use synthetic oil only for the 2.0L.  Drive up on the ramps, loosen the oil filter and pull that, then go under and pull the oil plug

[tazz]

I wondered if that was it. 
So the oil filter is integrated and you just replace the filter media correct?
No need for a change just yet but wanted to know for future reference.
Thanks

[tazz]

Which oil filter media would you suggest?

[DeepBlueGXP]

The old one in the photo above is in the cap, pull it out and put the new one in and it clicks together, then put the whole thing back in, don't over tighten.  Follow your DIC for oil change intervals.

AC DELCO oil filers at wallyworld

[Cheers]

   They also carry the 5 QT. jugs of Mobil 1 5-30.

Here is a SKY Guide

[baconbits]

Is there a reset the DIC procedure there.. my dealer took about 20 minutes to figure it out..
Bacon

[Cheers]

Is there a reset the DIC procedure there.. my dealer took about 20 minutes to figure it out..
Bacon

Page 253 of 2007 Owners Manual shouldn't take more than a minute or so

After changing the engine oil, the system must be
reset as follows:
1. Turn the ignition to RUN, with the engine off.
2. Press the information and reset buttons
on the DIC at the same time to enter the
personalization menu. See DIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 152.
3. Press the information button to scroll through
the available personalization menu modes
until the DIC display shows OIL-LIFE RESET.
4. Press and hold the reset button until the DIC
display shows ACKNOWLEDGED. This will
tell you the system has been reset.
5. Turn the key to LOCK.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes back
on when you start your vehicle, the engine oil
life system has not reset. Repeat the reset
procedure.

[Sly Bob]

What do you need ramps for? 

When I did the oil change on my GXP last fall I just reached under the car from the passenger side and pulled out the plug. No ramps needed.

Long arms are however, a requirement.

[lil goat]

The guys summed it up really well, now we could have this thread go on forever if we started discussing which oil is best, and which filter is best. My advice is make sure that you see 100% synthetic on the oil whatever brand you buy. There is a type of Mobil 1 that is not 100% synthetic, it just says synthetic on the jug, it only has to be 30% synthetic for them to be able call it synthetic, but if it says 100% it has to be. I do not like the AC/Delco filter is is made in China and it does not spin like the Bosch or K& N do, they are made in Germany, very different filter, do to the fact the oil on our filters enters from the side instead of the bottom like a typical filter it needs to be able to spin or it will get a flat spot where the oil comes in. The only AC/Delco that has ever been in either my NA or GXP were from the factory both had a flat spot when I changed them, they are also much softer than the Bosch or K&N which are kind of a honeycomb material but a pain in the but to find. Of course I am a bit anal about my oil filters and I pay $14.95 a quart for oil because I run my car out to the 7200 rpm redline quite often. I figure if I am going to beat on it I should make an effort to protect it.

[chuckdoc]

As the least mechanically inclined in our group, I just want to add a small comment on changing the oil filter.  On the GXP, the hardest part of the entire procedure is lifting the filter out.  The hoses are in the way and you have to move the hose aside as well as tilt and wiggle the filter out.  The same problem exists when putting the new one in.  It can be done but it takes a few minutes to get it right and not cross thread it. 

Also, it only takes 18 pounds of torque for both the filter and oil pan plug.  Do not over tighten.

The reason why I started doing it myself is the dealer I bought the car from gave me free oil changes.  The first time it was doubtful that they used Mobile 1 as it was not listed on the ticket.  They insisted they did and I just left and changed it myself after getting back home.  For the second free oil change I went back to the dealer and insisted on Mobil 1.  The third time I again did it myself and I could not get the drain plug off as it was really really tight.  I had to get Joe to try and he actually broke a wrench trying to get it off.  It finally broke free (It would be neat if Joe would post a picture of the wrench) as Joe put everything he had into it.  The plug must have been on with over 100 pounds of torque.

So for a simple procedure I would never let a dealer do it. 

Also I would never ever let any dealer rotate my tires as this is also easy to do and I have seen a cars where both the lug nuts were way too loose and on MyNewSolstice (what ever happened to him) they tigthened his so much they bent the lug.  Also denied they did it.  This is just to easy to do as you just jack up one side, take off both wheels and switch back to front.  (uni directional tires).

Hope this helps some newer person to the fun of turning wrenches.

[SolNut]

Is there a reset the DIC procedure there.. my dealer took about 20 minutes to figure it out..
Bacon

Turn on the Key, Mash the GO pedal three times, start engine.

Oil Life is reset

Steve

[DeepBlueGXP]

What do you need ramps for? 

When I did the oil change on my GXP last fall I just reached under the car from the passenger side and pulled out the plug. No ramps needed.

Long arms are however, a requirement.

Ramps are so you can slide a catch can under the oil drain.  Unless you don't mind cleaning up the floor when you are done

[DeepBlueGXP]

Turn on the Key, Mash the GO pedal three times, start engine.

Oil Life is reset

Steve

I've used that method too.   Same on my wife's G6

[snaponbob]

Turn on the Key, Mash the GO pedal three times, start engine.

Oil Life is reset

Steve

REALLY????? How/where did you learn THAT trick? Next change for me.

[snaponbob]

So, since somebody wanted to extend the thread with a "best oil/filter" debate  --------

After reading of a link to a "study" of oil filters http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html I switched to Wix. As for Oil, I have been using Mobil1 for a LONG time (except for Castrol GPX in my Triumphs) with no issues. After an intake gasket on my Chevy van (apparent "standard equipment" on DexColl vehicles in the 90's) the inside of the engine was 100% sludge free. Except for Amsoil and some other 100% synthetic oils the other Mobil 1 type oils are really "engineered" products.

[DeepBlueGXP]

Interesting read, I don't think I'll be using AC Delco any more
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/reference.html

[lil goat]

I think the Wix it the other one the the tip spins on I couldn't remember the name, my point is just because it says AC/Delco on the filter it does not mean it is the best filter, it means they were the lowest bidder when GM sent it out for bid. GM is not in the business of making oil filters, I do not believe the AC/ Delco filter meets the GM design spec and it is just adequate in my book, there are several better filters. I have run either Mobil 1 or Castrol 100% synthetic in every thing I have owned up until this car with the turbo, I ran Castrol in it until BTF broke down some turbo's and found scorched bearings, this is caused by one thing only, poor lubrication. That's when I went to a specialty oil for turbo's. I don't know if it will help but the only thing it will hurt is my pocket book.

Here is what I am talking about, the tip that sticks up is supposed to spin the part from the O ring up, I wouldn't use any filter that didn't. I Know the Bosch and K&N do, they are the same filter, I have read some others do, I think the Wix, and the NAPA do but don't know first hand, by the way these are made in Spain.

[Critterman]

Wix does, it was the first filter I put in my car, before the bouch was available

[Sly Bob]

Ramps are so you can slide a catch can under the oil drain.  Unless you don't mind cleaning up the floor when you are done

  I don't know about your drain pan but mine fits under the car with it on the ground. You could get a shorter pan as there is plenty of room behind the front wheel to get a pan under there.

[DeepBlueGXP]

mine was too big

[KWhale]

The NAPA Gold Filter is also a Wix filter that's been re-branded.  At least that's the case in Canada.

[SolNut]

REALLY????? How/where did you learn THAT trick? Next change for me.

I think it was at the first oil change I had.  Was out in Vegas @ Pat Clark Pontiac (RIP) when I went to SEMA and they told me it was the same as the other new Pontiacs.

Works great!!  Easy too and you don't have to put on your glasses to RTFB.

Steve
 

[Deep-GXP]

Strange how everyone says that it is hard to get the filter in/out .  I just had to push 1 wire to the side with 1 finger and the filter slid right out with nothing in it's way.

I also have no idea why the heck everyone says you need a low profile socket ....I could've done it with a really deep socket  

[Sly Bob]

mine was too big

I always wanted to say that...