[jerryp58]

Well, this will be my first post, but since I just changed the oil in my daughter's 2006 Aveo for the first time yesterday, maybe it's a good place to start.

I'd have to stick my head under there again to check for color, shape, etc. of the oil pan, but on my daughter's automatic LT, the oil pan is a finned aluminum piece pretty much in the center of the engine/trans assembly. It's towards the back of the pan and I didn't check the size, but I know I used a metric socket on it. The auto oil pan is pretty much in front of the driver, so if you see only two plugs down there, it's the one closer to the passenger side.

The shop did the first oil change (she just turned 6k on it) for free, but I figured I'd do this one for her. I had to tap on the wrench with a hammer since they had the plug so tight. It has a metal washer (copper or brass color) that, according to the owner's manual, can be used until the first 42k believe. Also, I could not get the filter off by hand (I hate when the shop tightens stuff down too much). Luckily, I was able to get a strap wrench on it and get it loose.

Finally, when I had the new filter and the plug in place, I filled it with just over three quarts of oil. I had primed the filter by putting a bit of oil in it first and letting it soak into the filter material before installing it. Anyway, I was surprised that it didn't take closer to 4 quarts (since it's supposed to take 3.96 qt with a filter change). So, I started it up, let it run for about 10 seconds, then checked it later. I added a little more than a half a quart (just under 4 qt all together) more to bring the oil back to MAX on the stick.

Sorry for the long first post. Good luck with the oil change. BTW, if you know the torque spec on the oil plug, I'd appreciate the info. The only thing I could find in the OM was the torque spec on the wheel lugs (which was good since I rotated the tires too).