I changed my oil the other day and just thought I should give you guys a heads up. As you know, our oil filters are cartridges, not spin on filters. So, this gives us a great opportunity to tear apart and inspect our filters as we change our oil. I must say that there is not a single aftermarket filter that can hold a candle to GM's filter. I compared every aftermarket filter I could get my hands on, and none of them were made nearly as well as what GM uses. So, from now on, when I change my oil, a trip to my local GM parts counter will be part of the ritual.

BTW - How many of you are running synthetic? I am using Mobil 1. <br>

04 Cavy LS Sport 5 Speed (34U) Rally Yellow - RK Sport Front & Rear Strut Tower
connectors. RK Sport "SS" Hood (functional CAI). XM Commander.

I definetly agree on the GM filters, besides the fact that you can get a new top piece with the filter. I am running Valvoline Synthetic in my 03 and change it every 4000.

It's so much nicer. I drive A TON of miles, so 7500 is about every other month. Worth the extra $.

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04 Cavy LS Sport 5 Speed (34U) Rally Yellow - RK Sport Front & Rear Strut Tower
connectors. RK Sport "SS" Hood (functional CAI). XM Commander.

so you're saying the GM oil filter is better than an aftermarket filter like Fram or something?

I'll consider that when I go in for the next oil change...
BTW I'm running Mobil 1 too

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<img src="http://www.j-body.org/registry/pokitrokit2000/elguapo3.jpg">

I just put Mobil One in 18000 mile eco for the first time last sunday. The oil filters all look the same. I am using the fram, it was the only one in the book.

I am approaching my very first oil change in my ION. Do you think the GM oil filter is the same as the saturn specific one? I think it should be the same. Anyways I'm going to put in Mobil 1 as well, because I want to keep this car for quite awhile.

Yeah, GM's filter is the same for all ecotec applications across all brands.
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04 Cavy LS Sport 5 Speed (34U) Rally Yellow - RK Sport Front & Rear Strut Tower
connectors. RK Sport "SS" Hood (functional CAI). XM Commander.

I have run synthetic in my car since 3000kms. I use 5w50 for extra protection. I use either Castrol Syntec, or Quaker State Synthetic, depending on what's I see on sale at the local autoparts store coming up on oil change time. Mobil 1 doesn't make 5w50, or I'd use that too. They only make 15w50, which is too thick, I think, for a newer engine. Maybe for an old oil burning POS that you want to rat bag on, and still keep for a while.
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2004 Electric Blue Sunfire.

i have about 19000 on my 03. i have changed it every 3000. i alwuays used the fram one as a replacement, untill i cracked the plastic piece. now i got one extra just incase.

How much is the gm running (in price) compaired to aftermarket ones?


Quote: no ofence man but if you have so much experience in all that why does your car look like crap?

well its $14 and change. it comes with a new filter and the cap& o-ring. the gm part # is 12575810

well I don't know where you got your filter at but around here I go to the gm dealer there is abought 5-6 close anyway I pay $5.35 with tax but some dealers are a little higher one I called wanted $8.47 same as after market fram at parts stores

Thanks for the info. Mine has 45k+ and gets changed every 3-4k but it is still on the orginal cap. I think its time for a new one.


Quote: no ofence man but if you have so much experience in all that why does your car look like crap?

thait is drect from Bill Shultz Chevy. they are about $3 at autozone with no cap, just the filter.

What size socket is needed for the oil filter cap?

1-1/4" get the socket.

04firetec wrote:I have run synthetic in my car since 3000kms. I use 5w50 for extra protection. I use either Castrol Syntec, or Quaker State Synthetic, depending on what's I see on sale at the local autoparts store coming up on oil change time. Mobil 1 doesn't make 5w50, or I'd use that too. They only make 15w50, which is too thick, I think, for a newer engine. Maybe for an old oil burning POS that you want to rat bag on, and still keep for a while.

WHY?!?

5w50 is way to thick for the engine. The engine was designed to run 5w30. It runs best on 5w30. There is no add protection with the higher weight oil unless you live in incredibly hot weather. There is a reason why the oil cap says to use 5w30.

It also sounds like you don't understand oil viscosity #'s, so ill explain:

Example: 5w30
The 5 in the oil # is the weight (viscosity)of the oil while cold. 5 is thin.
The 30 represents the oil viscosity while at operating temp.

actually the Fram filter is about the same as the AC Delco filter the STP filter has less pleats to it. The filters use to be about 7.99 or so but now there down to 5.99 I work at a parts store, got bored one day and looked at em

Okay, I work at a GM dealership here in WI, trust me nothing holds up like the AC Delco oil filters, and what's with you guys cracking the plastic top? Havent had one go on us yet. You dont have to crank it down too tight. Ive payed at most a little over 3 dollars, that is with the employee discount of course but regular customer isnt much more.

Phew! So I am not the only one out there who has cracked that top on the oil cap! Thank Goodness!

I am running Quaker State Syntetic. Just have to get a replacement cap then I am all set to hit the track this weekend!! <br>

Winter is Among Us!

I have a 2004 Cavalier with about 16,000 kms (10,000 miles) on it. I have been using AC Delco filters but was planning to shift over to Carquest. The reason I was planning to shift is that I have a connection with a Carquest dealer so I can buy at a discount. Also, I know that the Carquest premium filters are made by WIX which is a reputable brand.

Does anybody feel that the Carquest or WIX oil fiters would not be as good as AC Delco?

just changed my oil this weekend. my friend had a saturn vue and he got like 6 filters for it and didnt need them and guess what they fit yes thats right same motor. so i got 6 filters for 12 bucks and i changed my oil over to mobile 1 syn 5w30 and i love that stuff. my idle is so much better and it runs smoother....

I had the original cap until yesterday.We have a 2003 Vue w/ 53k on it. I am glad to hear that you can get them as a set from delco. GMPARTSDIRECT here I come..... You can get them there for 7.70.Plus of course shipping...I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one to crack a cap.It was only 28 degrees out I think that might have been part of the problem.From noe on I'll run the engine a few minutes before taking of the cap.That might help also.

I used Crisco Pure Vegtable Oil...Runs smooth!...and smells like french fries!! lol <dont mind me