Most people don't take care of their cars. Inline filters that aren't taken care of will clog up and block fuel flow, making the pump work harder until it fails. It would be nice if more manufacturers would put access ports in the floor vs. dropping the tank.

One thing i do to make sure my gas is clean if i see a as tanker filling the underground tanks at the gas station i will not get gas there . i also ask the person at the station when wes the last time they has a tanker there.i will not get gas there until the next day

ChevyMgr, thank you for your info. Glad to hear it should not need servicing at normal intervals

Re: cobalt instructions, that is for an inline filter, interesting how the cobalt is so different than the HHR in this aspect.

dandhcomputers' advice about not getting gas when the tanker truck is there is very good advice. I never went so far as to go inside and ask when they were last filled however...

all the more reason NOT to run your tank too low on fuel.
1)the in-tank fuel acts as a cooler for the electric pump
2)the debris will be "at the bottom of the tank", so the pick-up wont be!

thanks Chevymgr for all of your insight.

I concur with that! The Aveo is under the back seat and very easy to work on. Not sure i would feel too safe sitting in that seat in a rearend collision.

(Reply to an old discussion.) Doesn't the fuel always get sucked from the bottom of the tank, whether it is full of fuel or not?

I really don't know why GM and the other US automakers refuse to put access holes in the floor so you don't have to drop the tank to replace the pump. Every Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, and other Asian cars do this. If you really want to see dumb, check the 83-93 F-Bodies(Camaro and Firebird). You either had to diassemble the entire rear of the car or cut a hole in the rear shelf, either way sucked.

2005 Malibu LS 3.5,247000 miles,has never had fuel filter replaced. Should not be an issue!