Opinions for '06 Cobalt

[dwendt44]

Steve is correct. The OLM assumes you are using run of the mill mineral oil.
Any synthetic should be able to run longer than what the OLM says, but I go by it anyway; cheap insurance.

 

[Edmond]

The OLM doesn't go by mileage, either. I'm sure the OLM goes by temperature and engine RPM's among other things, right?

 

[dwendt44]

Correct, Edmond.
They generally count heat cycles as well as cold starts, short trips, etc.
Most are fairly accurate, especially if you use synthetic oil.
It doesn't know the difference in oil, but some of the OLM tend to run to 7 or 8 thousand miles, and that seem too long for conventional oil.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Go with Amsoil ASL 5w30...a tbn of 12.2...HTHS 3.2...VI index 174...Pour Point -58F...Flash Point 442F...can't go wrong...pretty much no need to worry using OLM and this stuff...Price goes up soon...

 

[PF52]

[quoteSuper easy oil change. Get yourself an Ecotec oil filter socket to make it a breeze. I got a lysle brand socket on eBay for just under $10.

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Another vote for the Lisle filter socket - it is lower in height than a standard socket and thus fits onto the filter cap without being pinched tight against the intake runners like a standard socket probably will.

I'm currently at 26,000 miles, and my OLM has reached 0 twice - at 10,700 and 19,000 miles. I've been changing it at 5000 which I figure to be about the halfway point. I use the Pure One filters, since they seem to be excellent quality, are made in the US and are frequently available at Pep Boys dirt cheap when combined with their mail-in rebates.

 

[PF52]

By the way, the fastest way to tear up that plastic filter cap is to use pliers or to try unscrewing it with the socket seated improperly. I've seen a few that look like someone tried to chew them off with their teeth! Do yourself a favor and get the correct filter socket (such as the Lisle) and you'll have no trouble.

 

[cmhj]

One of the first things I did, and probably the best anyone can do that does their own maintenance is to get the proper oil filter cartridge socket. Lisle's 32 MM part # 14700 works great. Got mine from CarQuest.

 

[nascarnation]

I'm using TropArtic & Hengst filter elements and changing every 5000 miles. I think it could easily do twice that but this is a 12 dollar oil change. When you open the filter up, the paper looks like brand new media soaked in oil. Even on the initial filter change there were no chips in the folds visible at all.

 

[KW]

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I have an '06 2.2 Cobalt with 29000 miles on it and run the OLM down to 0 before I change the ASL 5W30 and oil filter. The oil seems to stay very clean for a long time. Right now I have just over 4000 miles on the oil and the OLM is at 52%.

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The olm doesn't know what kind of oil is being used.

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I know that. I said the olm is at 52% / 4000 miles and the oil still looks clean. If it had Auto Zone 20W50 house brand it would still probably read 52%. If I remember correctly the original post asked for about Amsoil products in a Cobalt 2.2 and I gave my opinion. Never did I say that the OLM knows what kind of oil is being used.

 

[Edmond]

Guys,

Where is the oil filter located at?

What is this Lisle tool that you talk about?

 

[Panzerman]

Get your wife to check oil?? Its hard enough to get them to keep gas in it and thats on the dash for them to look at.

 

[salvageyardteen]

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Get your wife to check oil?? Its hard enough to get them to keep gas in it and thats on the dash for them to look at.

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Don't be so patronizing.

 

[JTK]

Edmund, Ecotecs use a drop-in cartridge style oil filter element. Not a spin on filter. There is a post or two with pics on this.

The oil filter housing is cast into the top of the engine block. The housing has a 3-4" round black plastic thread on cap with a 1-1/4" hex head for removal/install. Standing in front of the car, locate the right most intake runner. Look down about a few inches below that runner and you will see the oil filter cap.

Joel

 

[PF52]

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What is this Lisle tool that you talk about?

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You can use any 1-1/4" or 32mm socket to get the filter cap off, but many people have found its a little awkward since the standard socket is too tall to fit comfortably under the intake manifold funners. GM makes a special low-profile socket just for this procedure, and Lisle Tools has made one that's very similar - it looks like a shorty 32mm socket, and its made of aluminum (so don't use it on anything else). It should be available at better parts stores, but I got mine on Ebay. Try searching for the term "ecotec filter socket" and you'll find it there.