09 GT 2.4 Oil Change

[scooter]

New car, same story as the old one. Got my first oil change done. I agonized over this, but I decided to take it to a garage to do it instead of doing it myself. I had concerns over not being able to get the filter off (they come pretty tight from the factory). So as usual, the oil is overfilled again... well at least I believe it is.... or I now have the wrong dipstick. Does anyone else's dipstick have a pink spot at the top of it on the handle? I swear I don't remember seeing this before the oil change....

[vhoward1122]

If you are having problems with a "garage" doing the oil change wrong, Why do you keep going back to it?I have no idea about the pink spot however.

[scooter]

It actually wasn't A garage I had this issue with, it was several, including the dealer. I always attributed it to the fact that there were 2 different sizes of engine in the older model I had, which I had the smaller of. No excuse on the new car, and as I said, I didn't want to have to deal with trying to get the factory tightened filter off... Not to mention the new sits a little closer to the ground, so I need to get some jack stands or ramps to be able to get under it.... Although I am going to try and drain a little this morning. I just do not remember that spot... which made me wonder if I had the right dipstick....

[vhoward1122]

Ok, I was just wondering. Just remember that when you do the next oil change, put in the correct amount of oil, then see where the oil level is on the dip stick. Slightly over the full mark isn't going to hurt.

[lowincash]

just wondering tho...what oil did you use? did you use regular or synthetic? and how many miles do you have now on your first oil change? the dealer told me to change it at 5000 miles but i've heard people change them after the first 1000 miles or so.

[scooter]

2500. It had been 3 months however. I have heard others say you should get your first change early, with it being the break in oil. I have also heard your shouldn't use synthetic for your first change, but have read that is no longer true. I had conventional put in. I may switch to a synthetic or blend once I start doing them myself.

[bdozer65]

I done 2 and found out the hard way that it takes no more than 3.5 qts. I've been doing my own oil changes on several vehicles I've had and found that you really need the vehicle to sit for 4 hours after you put the oil in and circulate it through the new filter for it to drip back into the pan and give you a precise read. From there, add small amouts to top it off, obviously not a feasible procedure for the quick oil change joints. I just don't really trust them to do it and for about the same price they charge I can do a synthetic change.

[SinisterMind]

The manual says 5000 miles or 6 months. Don't waste money by changing oil more often. It's freaking 2009. Engines are made to last.

[nygiantzz1]

The dipstick does have a pink dot in the center of the handle. I just did mine this week and it was very easy. The filter sits right next to the oil pan and came off easily. You need a cap style socket (65-67mm) to remove the filter. I got one at Autozone for $5.99.

[Silversn95]

Quote, originally posted by SinisterMind »The manual says 5000 miles or 6 months. Don't waste money by changing oil more often. It's freaking 2009. Engines are made to last.Are you sure? My owners manual reads 5000miles (8000kms) or 3 months, whichever comes first.

[bdozer65]

"I have also heard your shouldn't use synthetic for your first change, but have read that is no longer true."This used to be a "ring seating" issue. Before I bought mine, I took it out nailed it several times, winding it up as far as I could, to "seat" the rings. I've heard that there is cross hatching in the cylinders that seat the rings, but once it wears off, in the very early life of an engine, that's it, you loose your best chance to seat the rings. That said, I still need to add probably a half quart during the 5K interval, but I don't care. I know it's getting oil.

[Silversn95]

I don't believe seating rings is the reason for the x-hatch. I thought it was to provide the optimum surface conditions for oil retention on the walls to maintain proper lubrication. In an engine running in good condition and properly machined and maintained the x-hatch will remain for the usable life of the engine. I've seen engines with hundreds of thousands of miles on them and perfect looking x-hatch patterns on the cylinder walls. Running a new engine as far as it will go probably isn't a good idea....

[vibedrivermatt]

you can get the filter off with a flat head screwdriver just tap it in there with a hammer and take it out to let it drain...then stick it back in there and twist it off. kinda messy but it works.. Remember lefty loosie...I had to do this to get mine off.. twice actually, the second time the filter was just "hand tight" by me...you cant get it off by hand.

[Fisher]

I find that my 2.4 shows overfilled with 4.5 quarts as stated in the manual. So, either the dipstick is wrong or the manual is wrong. I called Pontiac about it and they said to ask the dealer. They made a note of it in my file though. If you noticed it too, you should contact Pontiac. If enough of us do, they might actually respond. I also asked them about T-IV (per the manual) vs the WS ATF specified on the dipstick. Again, the response was to contact the dealer.

[vibedrivermatt]

whoops.. ok I had 3.7q in my engine. That's the amount for transmission fluid.. It's 4.5q for engine oil..my dipstick still looked ok at 3.7 quarts but I just rechecked it and it shows slightly low. Ive been driving around with my engine oil slightly under filled.. Im glad I figured this out before putting a ton of miles on it.