For 1990-2009 cars

If you want to change the oil and oil filter yourself, here's how to do it.

If you have the 2.2L four cylinder (L61) engine, the oil filter is located in the front left side of the engine and must be accessed from the top of the vehicle.

If you have the 3.0L V6 (L81) engine, the oil filter is located on the front of the engine and must be accessed from underneath the vehicle.

Both engines use different paper cartridge-style oil filter elements rather than a spin-on canister-type oil filter. The oil filter elements for the two engines look similar but can't be interchanged. Make sure you use the proper oil filter.

Remove the oil fill cap. Put a suitable container under the drain plug and remove the drain plug. Then, remove the oil filter cap. For the 2.2L L4 (L61) engine, use a 14-flat 68 mm (2.68 in.) oil filter wrench or 32 mm (1.26 in.) wrench to remove the oil filter. For the 3.0L V6 (L81) engine, use a 17 mm (0.67 in.) wrench to remove the oil filter.

The oil filter element should be attached to the cap. If not, remove the element from the oil filter housing on the engine block.

Inspect and clean the oil filter cap sealing surface before you install the new oil filter. Be sure the oil filter cap O-ring isn't stuck to the oil filter housing on the engine. Apply clean oil to the oil filter O-ring. Lightly screw on the oil filter cap until you feel some resistance. Replace the O-ring if it is damaged or shows signs of leaking.

For the 2.2L L4 (L61) engine, use a 14-flat 68 mm (2.68 in.) oil filter wrench or 32 mm (1.26 in.) wrench to remove the oil filter. For the 3.0L V6 (L81) engine, use a 17 mm (0.67 in.) wrench to remove the oil filter.

2.2L L4 (L61) Oil Filter Torque Specification:

Torque
25 N·m (18 ft lbs)

3.0L V6 (L81) Oil Filter Torque Specification:

Torque
15 N·m (11 ft lbs)

Put the drain plug back in the oil pan and add the new oil (Saturn P/N 21007582).

2.2L L4 (L61) and 3.0L V6 (L81) Oil Drain Plug Torque Specification:

Torque
25 N·m (18 ft lbs)

It takes about five minutes for the new oil to drain back into the oil pan. If you don't wait about five minutes, or if the vehicle is not level ground, the oil dipstick will not show the actual oil level.

If your engine's oil level is 3/16" (5 mm) above or below the FULL line after the engine's oil and filter have been changed, you engine's oil level is correct. After adding oil, start your engine and check for oil leaks around the filter and the drain plug(s).

Each time you change your engine oil, the "CHANGE OIL SOON" light must be rest.