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Chevrolet Cobalt Engine Oil Change Guide
How to change the motor oil and replace the filter in a 2005 to 2010 Chevy Cobalt with the 2.2L Ecotec I4 engine.

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Cobalt 2.2L Ecotec Engine
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Oil Filler Cap
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Twist Counter Clockwise
This automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners of the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt equipped with the 2.2 liter Ecotec inline four cylinder engine in changing the motor oil and replacing the oil filter.

Owners of other similar GM vehicles such as the Chevrolet HHR, Cavalier, Prizm, Cruze, Saturn Ion, Pontiac G5, G6, and Saturn Astra may also find this DIY guide to be helpful.

The items needed to complete this oil change include 5 quarts (4.7L) of SAE 5W-30 oil, an oil filter, a 15mm socket, a used oil catch container, a 1 1/4" socket (32mm) or the Lisle # 14700 oil filter wrench, a funnel, a floor jack with jack stands or automotive ramps.

A few compatible cartridge style oil filters include the following with their respective part numbers: ACDelco PF457G K&N PS-7000, Purolator PL15436, GM 12605566, Fram CH9018, Wix 57082, Bosch D3324 & Mobil 1 M1C151.



 
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Oil Pan
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15mm Oil Drain Bolt
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Remove Counter Clockwise
The first step is to warm up the engine for a few minutes to help suspend any contaminants and allow the old oil to flow out more quickly when the drain bolt is removed.

Then shut off the engine and remove the oil filler cap which will also help the old oil drain quickly.

Engage the emergency parking brake and place wheel chocks on both sides of the rear tires to prevent the vehicle from moving.

Raise the front passenger side of the car with the jack stand and support it with at least two jack stands.

Locate the silver oil pan and the 15mm oil drain bolt which faces towards the rear of the vehicle.

Move the used oil catch container to below the oil drain bolt before removing it with the 15mm socket by turning it counter clockwise.

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Used Oil Catch Container
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Remove Engine Cover
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Filter Cover - Front Right
Allow the old oil to drain out for at least a few minutes before re-inserting the oil drain bolt.

Tighten it to just past hand tight or about 18-20 lb ft of torque with the 15mm socket and a torque wrench if you have one.

Lower the car down from the jack stands and floor jack before moving to the engine bay.



 

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1 1/4" (32mm) Filter Cap
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Remove Oil Filter Cap
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Replace Cartridge Filter
The cartridge style oil filter is located below a large black cap on the driver side of the engine closer to the front of the vehicle.

I recommend buying the OEM GM ACDelco PF457G oil filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

Use a 1 1/4" socket, 32mm socket, or a Lisle # 14700 oil filter wrench to loosen and remove the oil filter cap. The next few steps got messy so they are not pictured in this guide.

Remove the oil filter cap and separate it from the old cartridge oil filter element.

Push a new cartridge filter back on to the cap. It will only go on one way, so you can't get it wrong.

If your new filter came with a replacement rubber o-ring, pull the old one off the filter cap and install the new one.

Lightly lubricate the new rubber o-ring with some new oil.

Insert the new filter back into the engine and rotate the cap to just past hand tight.

Do not over tighten the filter cap.

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Insert Automotive Funnel
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Tighten 15mm Oil Drain
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Pour In New 5W-30 Oil
Insert an automotive funnel in to the oil filler hole and pour in about 4.5 quarts of the engine's 5 quart total oil capacity.

Replace the oil filler cap, run the engine for a minute, shut it off, and allow it to rest for about five minutes.

Check the oil level on the yellow handled dipstick. If it is below the top of the hash marks, slowly add in the last 1/2 quart of SAE 5W-30 oil and repeatedly check the dipstick until the level is correct.

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Engine Oil Level Dipstick
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Check Oil Level
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Replace Oil Filler Cap
Be sure to check the oil level on the dipstick at least a few times over the next week and watch your driveway for oil spots that may indicate a leak from the oil drain bolt or oil filter housing.

Record the mileage and oil change details in your service record book.

To reset the oil life indicator on the driver's instrument panel, press both the information ("i" button) and display (arrow button) at the same time for one second before releasing them. The display will now show "OIl Life Reset". Press and hold the "arrow" button until the display says "acknowledged". The oil life will now be reset to 100%.

For more, check out my other Chevy Cobalt Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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