Son bought a 2008 Cobalt a while back and it is coming up on first oil change. Any big deal if you do the changes yourself, as far as warranty goes? Don't want any issues with GM in case of an unlikely engine problem. Any special tools for these cars, as I have always owned and driven older vehicles. Any of you using synthetic and if so do you keep it on a 3000 mile change schedule? Since we had gotten 220K on the old Corsica with Pennzoil 5-30 I was going to use that but have been toying with the thought of synthetic oil as well.

First off you can do your own simple maintenance. Just keep all receipts for proof.

The 3000 mile OCI is a thing of the past unless your driving falls under extremely severe with most newer GMs. Those with the OLM, which the Cobalt has is more likely going to be 4,000-9,500 miles depending on how you drive. Suggest you read the owners manual on this oil monitoring system and other issues regarding simple service.

However, regardless of the OLM reading on my 07 I did my first service at 1,500 miles, the second at about 6,000. I only Amsoil synthetics in all my vehicles but depending on the car and how it's driven determines my OCI schedule.

Yes I see this car is similar to my son's BMW 318I which also has a oil monitoring system. Had not had much of a chance to look at it for him. The thing that escapes me is where in the world his filter is...LOL. I looked under it and over the top, can't see it. I know it is similar to my son's BMW filter, which has a screw on shell over it, not a regular filter like my cars have always used. I will read his manual when I get a chance and see how this car is set up. In case it does not mention it where is the filter / housing??? A pain to get to??

Again, if you read the owners manual it'll disclose the oil filter location as being under the engine cover. Very easy to do much like what you've described with the BMW. You can either buy a special tool to remove the filter cover or modify a 1 1/4" socket.

Reading those owners manuals takes a lot of guess work out of things.

thanks again! Yes I plan to read his manual this evening to check these things out. He is on the go a lot or I would have already done it. Seems like a nice little car, just a little different. I have already learned there is no transmission dipstick, again, like the BMW.

Buy the special socket and I did.I bought mine which is made out of steel from my Cornwell dealer that comes in every other Tuesday.The Lisle is the cheapest one and is made out of aluminum.Try looking for a dipstick on the newer Mercedes Benzs,there are none.It is getting to point all manufactureres do not want you to do anything to their cars.

Will a standard 1 1/4 inch socket work or are they to long. I have both 6point and 12point.

Will a standard 1 1/4 inch socket work or are they to long. I have both 6point and 12point.
What about a 1 1/4 box wrench.

The standard 1 1/4 is too fat to fit in.A box end will not fit and I tried that on my Grandma Rose's 2001 Saturn.The special socket is turned down so it can fit and it is in 3/8 drive.One from Cornwell goes for about $22.00 which I bought my from the Cornwell dealer I buy from.I am sure Mac and Snap on make it too.

I have seen Mac on sale on ebay and I noticed Lisle in a parts store I wondered why it was painted. Thanks for the help I didn't want to pay if a 1- 1/4 inch chrome socket would work.

This is a reasonably priced steel socket.
http://www.autopart.com/TOOLS/TOOLSMAIN/Tool/T_2572.htm
It has a good picture.

Well I guess I better invest in one of these... we also just bought the wife a 2002 Cavalier with a 2.2 in it. I would assume everything is same as far as the engine is concerned. Will have to study up on that car too, LOL.

This is a reasonably priced steel socket.
http://www.autopart.com/TOOLS/TOOLSMAIN/Tool/T_2572.htm
It has a good picture. Check 9605 and 9680 as newer vehicles are using these. Lifetime warranty and the torx plus are US mfg. The other look like Cornwells with less chrome.
Cornwells are around $60.00 more on a tool truck.
Use search from the link.

Another good tool is the one from Lisle. FWIW it's what I have & is 10 bucks or less in most parts stores.

http://www.tooldesk.com/items/productDetail.aspx+id+1770

just consider yourself lucky you dont have to deal with the 2.0L S/C oil change... $65 to change at the shop, 7qts of oil :( and the filter is hiding underneath the supercharger.... It took a long time for the guys to even find the filter. And the guy who changed it showed me his hand. Shredded because of the terrible location.

Design flaw FTW

I bought mine from my Cornwell dealer for $22.00. From Snap On $28.00 (I checked online) and Matco is $11.00(also checked online)

Somebody just wanting to change oil any of the sockets suggested will work.
Lisle's is painted but is magnetic so it is steel. It definately says not rated for impact use. If you have an impact wrench buy one rated for this use as you never know what you will want to use it for in the future. Matco has good products and I have some.

The one I bought from my Cornwell dealer works great.I do not have a Matco dealer,had one 5 or 6 years ago and never came back.Was supposed to have one in and found out there was no dealer yet.

Matco's socket is also not for impact use they probably buy it from Lisle.

Another good tool is the one from Lisle. FWIW it's what I have & is 10 bucks or less in most parts stores.

http://www.tooldesk.com/items/productDetail.aspx+id+1770

The tool from Lisle is more than you'll ever need. You'll break the plastic filter housing cap long before you'll destroy the Lisle aluminum tool. In fact, IIRC, the plastic housing cap is sourced by GM from Lisle Corp. My oil life monitor takes about 8Kmi to get into the teens. That's when I change my oil/filter. Works out to 2 oil changes per year for me. FWIW, I also use 5w20 to max out MPGs. Try at your own risk of course!:wink:

Joel