Oil filter

[04Alero2.2]

Hello all,
I have been planning to change the oil in my 04, but have been putting it off in hope for some better weather. Today driving home from work the change oil light came on. So I will do the change tomorrow.
The have been a lot of different opinions with which filter to buy. We all know that Fram is junk, even though I have used with no problems in the past. Fram uses a paper filter which will no filter the oil properly and will deterate after time and hard use. K&N isn't much better you are just paying for the name.
I want some with better filtering properties and better flow than you will get from OEM. Does anyone have a sugjestion to what I can buy?
And also will the "change oil" light go off with new oil or do I need to goo to a aservice center to have it reset?

Thanks for your time,
Tom

[JTrujillo86]

1) All I use on my 2002 3.4L is GM oil filters, air filters and fuel filters. Our cars were built and designed to work with these filters just fine, so I figure why pay more? On a sidenote, I would rather chew off my own arm than use anything Fram on my car. I also use Mobil 1 5W-30 full synthetic.

2) The change oil light needs to be reset. With the drivers door open, take off the fuse panel cover at the end of the dash. There is a big red RESET button. Put the key in and turn it to ON but don't start the car. Then hold the reset button for four seconds. You should see the Change oil light flash. Hold the button again until you hear a beep signalling that the light has been reset.

One more sidenote: I wouldn't wait until your CHANGE OIL light comes on to do the change. In the owners manual it says that if the light doesn't come on within one year or 10K miles after your last change, then do the change and reset the light. Waiting one year is way, way to long for an oil change. The longest that I go with the Mobil 1 is 5K miles, and that's only with full sythentic. If you are using conventional motor oil, I wouldn't go longer than 3K miles.

I hope this helps.

Jeremy

[lincoln_mark_8]

WIX or NAPA they are the same are one of the largest companies that make filters. I have been in a service department for a long time and I only use OEM or WIX. NEVER anything else.

[lincoln_mark_8]

WIX or NAPA they are the same are one of the largest companies that make filters. I have been in a service department for a long time and I only use OEM or WIX. NEVER anything else.

[04Alero2.2]

Thanks for all the info it is very helpful. I don't know when the reset button was last pressed. I bought the car in September of 2003, and I put no more than 4500 miles on it since then. I bought it from a dealer with a warranty. I did check the fluilds after purchace. Everything looks great including the oil, which was clean.

I read on another site that some people glue magnets to the outside of the filter to trap possilbe damageing metals such as shavings. What is your view on that?

Today I plann on changing the oil alone with other maintenance checks.
Well, thanks again.
Tom

[04Alero2.2]

It me again,
Sorry to keep popping up here with questions, but I do have another.
I have been doing my own auto repair for years, and never have I run across a car that I can not find the oil filter. Is there a cover over it or something blocking my view? I spend the last 20 minutes looking for it. I looked underneath and looked for above, but still nothing.

Can any one please tell me where the oil filter is located?
2004 Alero with 2.2 Ecotec
Frustrated,
Tom

[04Alero2.2]

Well,
I found it, It is to the left of the intake tubes going in to the head. A small round metal compartment with black plactic cap. I carfully clamped on a pair of vise grips and turned it. I think a25 MM socket would have worked to. Then I pulled out the filter. Very little mess. I was kind of easy.

Thanks everyone.
Tom