Anyone that has ever done their own oil changes is familiar with the pain of trying to access and remove the filter on their engine. If you do manage to get it loose, there is the inevitable mess of oil dripping down your arm as you spin the filter off, and not forgetting that constant exposure to used engine oil can cause skin cancer.

When the new Chevrolet Cruze goes on sale later this year in the US, the engines for the first time will feature a cartridge type filter that can be removed from above with almost no mess or fuss. Cartridge filters are basically just the internal paper element from traditional filters and they drop into a housing that's integrated into the cylinder block. General Motors has been using the same type of filter on the 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4-liter Ecotec engines for several years.

Besides being easier to change and tidier, they are also more environmentally friendly. There is less material from the filter itself to dispose of or recycle. In addition, oil spills associated with the old-fashion filters that often end up in the local water supply will be avoided. Also, having the cover with its seal on the top of the filter makes it far less prone to leaks that mess up the driveway.

Cruze owners in Singapore, are your cars fitted with cartridge filters already?