Just a heads up. We usually do oil changes on our other cars 3 or 4 times a year. With the Volt, once every 2 years is not uncommon (with a DIC reading 80% or more). Beware of the oil drain plug . The plug is only 10 MM. Trying to remove it with an open end could lead to rounding, especially after being in for 2 years. I recommend using a good quality 10 mm socket. Just my experience.
DIY OIL CHANGERS
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On several previous cars, I installed a Fumoto oil drain valve to replace the drain plug. I would have to check the ground clearance on the Volt to see if one of these would work.
I would always have to tell the oil change places NOT to remove the Fumoto valve, just flip the lever. They were usually impressed after they saw how it worked,
http://www.fumotousa.com
I would always have to tell the oil change places NOT to remove the Fumoto valve, just flip the lever. They were usually impressed after they saw how it worked,
http://www.fumotousa.com
I used to change oil 3 or 4x a year as well, but in our Van I have been doing every 10 to 12 months lately, doesn't seem to cause any adverse effects, but I am using synthetic. This means it is about every 15k miles. I will get it analyzed this year and see how wear is.
For my Volt I planned on changing it every 1 year, but will do recommended every 2 since using synthetic again. I don't totally trust what ERDTT mode will do to it though. However, in the Volt, this is only maybe 3 or 4k miles since it doesn't run the engine much
Thanks for the Tip on the Volt, my problem is I change it so rarely (once about 2 years ago), that I won't remember when I change it again
For my Volt I planned on changing it every 1 year, but will do recommended every 2 since using synthetic again. I don't totally trust what ERDTT mode will do to it though. However, in the Volt, this is only maybe 3 or 4k miles since it doesn't run the engine much
Thanks for the Tip on the Volt, my problem is I change it so rarely (once about 2 years ago), that I won't remember when I change it again
My coworker got something like this (not sure if it's this particular brand) for his F-350 and raves about it. He does a lot more oil changing than me and it involved a lot more oil.
My first oil change on my 2014 was at just under 2 years and 40K miles. The oil life indicator was at 8%.
I went 20 years on my Ford Ranger with the same oil plug so I can definitely say that as long as you use the proper tools (I've always used a socket) your oil drain plug can last "forever."
All that said, these might be worth it just to eliminate the mess.
Here is the most compact one for the Volt. I don't think clearance would be an issue at all.
http://www.fumotousa.com/parts.php?partname=F-106&partnumber=23
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If you are at all interested in finding out what condition you oil is really in, I recommend Blackstone Labs. They'll send you a free sample kit and then it's $35 to test the oil.I used to change oil 3 or 4x a year as well, but in our Van I have been doing every 10 to 12 months lately, doesn't seem to cause any adverse effects, but I am using synthetic. This means it is about every 15k miles. I will get it analyzed this year and see how wear is.
For my Volt I planned on changing it every 1 year, but will do recommended every 2 since using synthetic again. I don't totally trust what ERDTT mode will do to it though. However, in the Volt, this is only maybe 3 or 4k miles since it doesn't run the engine much
Thanks for the Tip on the Volt, my problem is I change it so rarely (once about 2 years ago), that I won't remember when I change it again
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Nospillsystems oil drain valve is sooooo much better than a fumoto valve. I got a fumoto for the gfs element and I can't wait till the next drain to throw it away.
The EZ drain valve sticks out less than a factory drain plug and has a hose that screws on to activate the valve. Very popular in the diesel world when it comes to 15-35 quarts to change with a sample drawn in the middle.
https://www.nospillsystems.com/
Light years ahead of the fumoto valve.
The EZ drain valve sticks out less than a factory drain plug and has a hose that screws on to activate the valve. Very popular in the diesel world when it comes to 15-35 quarts to change with a sample drawn in the middle.
https://www.nospillsystems.com/
Light years ahead of the fumoto valve.
Cool valve. I have a fumoto on our truck and love the no mess, easy oil change, but draining takes forever. I usually open it up and let it drain overnight. These EZ valves look much quicker.
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They are. It's like the drain plug is out. I wish I never bought the fumoto. I have it on my cummins trucks and it's so much better. 16.5 quarts in a few minutes.
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^^^This.
There is no reason the sump plug will be too tight after 10 years, so long as the correct torque is applied.
Worse still, it appears to be an aluminium plug in an aluminium sump. Very easy to strip. Use a torque wrench.
Whats the part # for the Volt. Site is unclear!
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13,358 Posts
Although I'm perfectly capable of changing my own oil, while the car is under the powertrain warranty I am having the dealership change the oil. I had a coworker years ago that blew an engine on his Conquest and Mopar asked for his oil change records. With a mixture of lost jiffy lube receipts, no records from when he bought oil himself and changed it, they blamed the blown engine on him for not changing the oil. Suffice it to say, he will never buy another Mopar vehicle - they lost him as a customer for life for not honoring the 10 year 100k mile drivetrain warranty. As soon as the volt powertrain warranty expires, I will be changing my own oil, but until then the blame will be squarely on the Chevy service people if the engine blows from a low oil condition.
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Part #
10-14150-01
14MX1.5 is the thread pitch. Same as a 2002 duramax engine. You can use a 2002 Silverado diesel as the vehicle selector.
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I prefer the compact as its smaller than the head of the drain bolt but he standard design is a little easier to use as it's easier to get the threads started. Not really hard to use either way. You want your cart to look like this with 2 part numbers. Watch their videos and you'll see how this valve is much more trustworthy than fumoto. And smaller.
The Volt is one of the easiest cars I've ever owned in terms of changing the oil. I always use a socket on a ratchet, and I usually "throttle" my grip on the ratchet to ensure a firm but not too tight torque. I never thought it was all that difficult.
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It's not, hard at all. It's just nice to make it less messy and no chance of a spill or missing the drain pan.
I agree. I've used fumoto before, and I loved it. But that was on a 300 hp turbocharged car that was seeing much more frequent oil changes. It seems a bit wasteful on the Volt.
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Yea. I started using valves on my 800hp Supra as I changed it every 1500 miles. My truck saw changes every 25,000 miles but was over 15qts and it was very messy without the hose to aim the oil. Check out the valve I linked to. Much better and safer than fumoto.
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Do you still have the Supra? I had a 1985 Supra, but always wanted a mid 90s one. Dame you Fast and Furious for causing resale values to skyrocket instead of drop. I'd kill for a normally aspirated 98 Supra that is unmodified so I can add whatever to it.
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I went to the site and after selecting "Chevrolet" I tried finding a 2002 Silverado diesel, but no success. After verifing the size plug you stated (grins), I went through each of the engine sizes to find the ones matching 14Mx1.5. There were six: 1.0, 1.5(85-88), 1.9(82-89), 2.2(84-85), 98 & Newer Metro, but Tracker (Suzuki) confused me. Selecting the compact version (15-1450-01) for $36.35 and the Small Angle Drainer (CD 2003) for $18.65 and proceeding to check-out, I discover that there is an additional shipping charge of $12.25. So, to switch over to an easy to use drain plug that I will use only once every two years, I need to spend $67.25. Yes, I could afford to lay out the cash. But, on principle, I won't. The large shipping charge did me in. If I had to drain the oil every 5,000 miles, I might have by-passed principle and purchased the items. To each his own... 8^)
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