Has any one done there first oil change?. I have a couple of questions for you.
1. Is the filter a spin on or cartrige and cad you gat to the filter from the top?.
2. Do you have to remove any panels from the bottom of the car to get to the drain plug or the filter and does it take a regular wrench or is it an allen key end or some thing else strange that you have to go out and buy.

THANKS

 

I just did my first oil change last weekend.

The oil filter is a cartridge (NAPA FIL7082) and is accessable from the top, front of the engine on the driver's side. You will need a 1 1/4 inch (or 32mm) socket. Tighten to 18 lb ft.

The drain plug is located on the passenger side of the engine, 15 mm, torque to 18 lb ft.

I lifted the HHR on the driver's side to access the oil drain which tips the car just right for a good oil pan drain.

It is so easy to change oil in the HHR, if you take your time, expect the change to take 30 mins., including clean up time.

 

Sorry but I'v been lazy the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Oil change have all been done by the dealer. Oil Change #4 should be done later on this month. I'm approching 11,000 this weekend.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I will go to napa no thursday to get the filter.

Michael from Dania FL.

 

I did my first change about a week ago.

The cap for the oil cartridge was a pain in the ass to get out (of course I didn't have a 1 1/4" socket lol). I'd suggest getting the socket and getting a decent size extention for the ratchet, as it looks to be a pain in the ass to get out without a nice size extention.

The drain plug was a 14mm IIRC. Don't quite remember as I was under the car and had my socket set right next to me.

 

Mine is just over nine weeks old, and I do 95% highway driving so I've been having the oil changed every 5K. I did it at the dealer the first two times. As I parked it in the driveway tonight, I'm close to 13K miles already. I'm currently planning on going to Kwik Kar for the 15K change and switching it over to Royal Purple motor oil. I've used both Kwik Kar and Royal purple in my Silverado and had good luck with both. Just be prepared to say no a LOT at Kwik Kar. They are a business and will try to sell you everything under the sun. I'm pretty good and fairly knowledgeable about what the vehicle needs so I have no problem saying no.

my two cents...
CBL

 

Oops on me. 32mm is the size for the oil filter and not the drain plug. The drain plug is 15mm.

I corrected my original post.

 

I have 2500 miles and just had the first oil change done at my friends station. I supplied an OEM filter (everyone, including mechanic there said to go OEM to cover your a$$ should there be any problems down the road). The oil felt clean, but there were definitely metal particles on the filter itself. I used fossil oil this time, but will switch to synthetic at my next change-around 8,000 miles.

By the way, they have a special socket that is designed for the filter nut, which is plastic and looks like it is easy to scratch. The socket looks like a giant wheel lock and is designed not to slip on the nut.

 

Where can you get the socket and how much does it cost?

Ng

 

Hmmm...I'm going to have to check my tools to see if I have a 32mm socket. I'm at 3000+ miles and I will do my own oil change. I'll probably do it at 5000 or when the monitoring system tells me to.

Ng