i recently went to get my oil changed...went to 2 differnt places AND 2 differnt Autozones...NO ONE CARRIES THE FILTER FOR THIS CAR. anyone kno what is up with that? I mean the CTS is so popular, what do all these people do when they need an oil change? You would think they would carry it. Is it a special filter or did my town just not have any in stock in the whole city? :rolleyes2 I have to go the the dealer now and get one.

I always get my filter from the dealer too.
It's a fairly new insert type and while there are a few aftermarket ones available, it isn't used on enough cars for most part stores to carry it.

thanks gothic, just wonderin if it was conincidental that no place had my filter, or if there was a reason why, looks like i am takin a trip to the dealer.

I purchased my AC Delco filter from Napa Auto Store. If you have one near you I don't see why they would not carry it or be able to ship one from another store for you. The filter cost $6.95 and my local store has about 30 of the CTS filter in stock. In case you don't know...the stock oil filter is an AC Delco.

I went to the dealer for the filter and it was only $7.95. Bought two. Why screw around with aftermarket parts when it's that cheap.

HA! i went to the dealer...ended up payind 13 dollars for aan AC delco. :rolleyes2 oh well, lol.

Gang,

Check out the best performance and protective accessory to go on your oil filter....the FilterMag. I will not operate any of my cars without one. Engine wear is dramatically reduced by not having excess metal particles running through your bearings and other vital components. Also a great way to see what metal was in your oit by cutting open the Filter with the FilterMag still in place. Best prices, lowest shipping charges....Link as below......

http://www.carmotorsports.com/FilterMAG.htm

Rich

While the FilterMag sounds like a good idea, I don't think it will work on the CTS. As a magnet, it sticks well to disposable (steel) screw-on oil filter cartridges, and keeps any metal particles inside the cartridge. Hence the problem . . . the CTS (at least my '03) has a canister type filter, with a cast aluminum housing which stays on the motor. Even if you zip-tied the super-duty magnet to the housing, any metal caught would stay in the housing when the filter gets replaced, defeating the purpose of the whole thing.

On the original subject, I got my (for the 3.2) Purolator filter from Advance Auto for under $6. Purolator invented oil filters for cars, and make (IMHO) very good filters . . . at least as good as AC Delco. I've read independent comparisons and reviews over the years and I have no reservations of using them.

Gang,

Check out the best performance and protective accessory to go on your oil filter....the FilterMag. I will not operate any of my cars without one. Engine wear is dramatically reduced by not having excess metal particles running through your bearings and other vital components. Also a great way to see what metal was in your oit by cutting open the Filter with the FilterMag still in place. Best prices, lowest shipping charges....Link as below......

http://www.carmotorsports.com/FilterMAG.htm

Rich

Maybe this is a dumb question, but how much steel would run in your oil if you have an aluminum engine? Are there many steel parts in an Aluminum engine? If the FilterMag works with Magnetics, how would it benefit an Aluminum Engine if in fact Steel metal never makes it to the oilstream?

Aluminum engines are popular because of the weight saved in the block, heads, and intake. There are lots of steel parts in an aluminum engine. Just off the top of my head: cylinder liners, lifters, camshafts, crankshaft (may be cast or forged steel), connecting rods, oil pumps, rocker arms, I think piston rings are not steel but some other alloy. If you notice, some manufacturers use a magnet as part of the oil drain plug. Some enven put a magnet in the trans pan.

Aluminum engines are popular because of the weight saved in the block, heads, and intake. There are lots of steel parts in an aluminum engine. Just off the top of my head: cylinder liners, lifters, camshafts, crankshaft (may be cast or forged steel), connecting rods, oil pumps, rocker arms, I think piston rings are not steel but some other alloy. If you notice, some manufacturers use a magnet as part of the oil drain plug. Some enven put a magnet in the trans pan.

Cool, thanks for responding.

For what it's worth, modern full-flow oil filters were not invented with the notion of increased motor longevity in mind. The idea was to catch all the chips and machinings that were left in the engine at manufacture. Early bypass type filters including the ones that used toilet tissue for filtering media were much more efficient at catching the smallest particles but at cold startup the oil bypassed the filter entirely and with it the big chunks. Full flow filters process all the oil but as a consequence the filtering media does not catch the finest particles because to do so would restrict the flow excessively when the oil is cold. Some full flow filters have part of the filter designed for the coarser stuff and part for the fines.
It was quite a surprise the first time I disassembled a factory new Chevy Z28 302 cu.in. crate motor for blueprinting to find about a teaspoon of chips and grindings in the bottom of the oil pan, left at manufacture.

If it is the same cartridge typa as the 3.0 in the catera I have designed an adapter that will let you use a very common PF47 or a PF52 filter on your engine just e-mail me for the details at MARKLES@OPTONLINE.NET

help !!!!

I ordered several (3) filters from GmPartsDirect.com and they look funny. Now I understand the car has some sort of metal canister, but what I got was literally a filter (the inside and a couple of rubber gromets) Something wrong ???

Part PF2256G
88894390

What you got is the ( inside ) you have to remove the lid and change the element then screw on the lid. It is the stupidest thing just so you have to buy those special filters. Those filters are junk they don't have anti backflow valves in them ( they are made in Europe ) That is why I have made the adapter that lets me use a PF47 or 52 on my Cadillac. $3.99 and it is ten times better. You just need the adapter. I have those for sale. e-mail me for details MARKLES@OPTONLINE.NET

The last one I got was made in Mexico

The ACdelco filters are made in Mexico the Fram and Purolator are made in India they all meet GM spec's, so much for buying American.

Pf47 And Pf52 Are Made In Detroit Michigan ! Some Of The Newer Ones May Be Made In Mexico Thoough.

I always get my filter from the dealer too.
It's a fairly new insert type and while there are a few aftermarket ones available, it isn't used on enough cars for most part stores to carry it.

Haven't had mu oil changed yet so no idea what the filter looks like? Is a spin on or something different??

Thanks,