First oil change on Equinox

[wallyuwl]

I have a 2010 Equinox. Tomorrow I will be doing my first oil change on it. Does anyone that has the 2.4L DI engine in the 2010 and newer Equinox and Terrain have any points of emphasis or things to be aware of in doing an oil change on this?

Also, I'm not sure yet whether to put in PP (SN) or Synpower (SM). I have both oils on hand (nearly 50 quarts of Synpower, just one 5 qt jug of PP). I'm leaning Synpower because of the good results it had in Amsoil's tests regarding fuel dilution.

 

[Lead Shoes]

I would run the PP just to get the last of it out of the stash, both are quality synthetic oils, leave it to a coin toss maybe?

 

[hardcore302]

no pointers, but use the pen. just cuz/

 

[LS2JSTS]

1 Get the Lisle 14700 filter cap wrench.
2 Get a 10-12 inch wobble extension.
3 Then get ready for the easiest, cleanest oil change you've ever had to do.

Remember to pop the filter out of the cartridge housing while it is still draining down below, the housing holds oil until the cap is removed.

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
1 Get the Lisle 14700 filter cap wrench.
2 Get a 10-12 inch wobble extension.
3 Then get ready for the easiest, cleanest oil change you've ever had to do.

Remember to pop the filter out of the cartridge housing while it is still draining down below, the housing holds oil until the cap is removed.


I have the filter cap wrench. And an 8" extension, which I hope will work. Sounds like it should be pretty easy.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I would use up the one OCI of Pennzoil, then go on a long-long multi-OCI run with Valvoline.

 

[wallyuwl]

Well, I changed the oil today. It was pretty easy, though I did have some minor trouble with the cartridge oil filter cap. I put in the jug of PP. The whole jug was the perfect amount. Runs noticably quieter with this oil.

What I most noticed was the color of the used oil. It had about 5500 miles on it. It was Mobil conventional (so the dealer said). I didn't smell it, but it looked like it had quite a bit of fuel dilution (DI engine). It was also brown. I've never seen oil like that. The OLM still said 58% remaining (LOL!).

I also changed the oil in the Vibe. I had it on ramps (first time changing it with the new ramps, have done it in the past with a jack and jack stands). I started it while on the ramps after the oil change (when using the jack stands I would lower the vehicle before starting it). I got about 2 seconds of what sounded like non-lubricated engine noise. I have never filled the oil filter.

In the future, should I fill the oil filter with oil? Would you suggest just putting the car in neutral and having it roll off the ramps, then starting it?

 

[Klutch9]

Letting it roll off the ramps won't make any difference, honestly. The sump is full either way and the oil pump pickup is well covered with oil, so you'll get oil pressure just as well. The tapping/ticking unlubricated sound is normal for a second or two just after an oil change. Interestingly, on my current car, sometimes it makes a ticking noise, sometimes it doesn't

My last car almost never made any ticking noises after an oil change, but then again, that engine was always super noisy