🔧 Equinox - Engine Oil & Filter Change

You’ll be draining the old engine oil, replacing the oil filter, and refilling with fresh oil in your Equinox. This keeps the turbocharged 1.5L engine protected and running smoothly.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1–1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely only on a jack.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot; let the engine cool at least 20–30 minutes after driving.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses to protect your skin and eyes from hot oil.
• ⚠️ Keep the area under the vehicle clear; no one should be under the Equinox while only on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Clean any spilled oil immediately; it is very slippery and a fire hazard.
• ⚠️ Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or parts store; never dump it on the ground or in drains.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnection is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🛠️ Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• 🛠️ Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• 🛠️ Wheel chocks
• 🛠️ 17mm socket
• 🛠️ 3/8" drive ratchet
• 🛠️ 3/8" drive torque wrench (7–75 ft-lbs range)
• 🛠️ Oil filter wrench (cup or band style, 65–67mm) (specialty)
• 🛠️ Flathead screwdriver (medium)
• 🛠️ Plastic trim tool set
• 🛠️ Drain pan (at least 8-quart capacity)
• 🛠️ Funnel (medium size)
• 🛠️ Shop rags or paper towels
• 🛠️ Latex or nitrile gloves
• 🛠️ Safety glasses
• 🛠️ Small flashlight

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🔩 Engine oil (0W-20, Dexos1 Gen 2 full synthetic) - Qty: 5 quarts (you’ll use about 4.2 quarts)
• 🔩 Engine oil filter (spin-on type for 1.5L) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Oil drain plug washer - Qty: 1 (recommended to replace)
• 🔩 Brake cleaner or engine degreaser spray - Qty: 1 can
• 🔩 Disposable shop towels - Qty: 1 pack

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park the Equinox on level ground, set the parking brake, and put the transmission in PARK.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires so the vehicle cannot roll.
• Let the engine cool for at least 20–30 minutes so the oil is warm but not burning hot.
• Make sure you know where your oil fill cap and dipstick are under the hood; this is where you’ll add and check oil.
• Have your drain pan, new oil, and new filter laid out and ready before lifting the vehicle.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Safely lift and support the front of the Equinox

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of the Equinox at the front center jacking point or one side jacking point as shown in your owner’s manual.
• Place jack stands under the proper support points on both sides, then slowly lower the vehicle onto the stands using the floor jack.
• Give the vehicle a gentle push to confirm it is stable on the jack stands before going underneath.
• Never work under just the jack.

Step 2: Remove the lower engine shield (if equipped)

• Crawl under the front and locate the plastic shield under the engine.
• Use a flathead screwdriver or plastic trim tool to gently pry out any plastic clips holding the shield.
• Use the 3/8" drive ratchet with the appropriate socket (often 10mm; if your shield has bolts, add a 10mm socket to your tools) to remove any bolts.
• Lower the shield and set it aside where you won’t step on it.
• Keep clips and bolts together so none are lost.

Step 3: Loosen the oil fill cap

• Open the hood and locate the oil fill cap on top of the engine cover.
• Twist the cap counterclockwise by hand to loosen it; you can leave it resting loosely or remove it and set it aside.
• This lets air in so the oil drains out more smoothly.

Step 4: Drain the old engine oil

• Position the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug. The oil pan is a metal pan at the bottom of the engine.
• Use the 17mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to loosen the drain plug by turning it counterclockwise.
• Once it’s loose, finish removing it by hand while pressing it inward until you’re ready to pull it away, so oil doesn’t gush on you.
• Quickly move the plug away and let the oil drain completely into the pan. Adjust the pan position if the oil stream moves.
• Allow the oil to drip until it slows to a very small drip; this may take 5–10 minutes.

Step 5: Inspect and prepare the drain plug

• Clean the drain plug with a shop rag and inspect the threads.
• Remove the old drain plug washer and install the new one onto the plug.
• If the threads are damaged, the plug should be replaced before reinstallation.

Step 6: Reinstall the drain plug

• Once oil has finished draining, clean around the drain hole on the oil pan with a rag.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 17mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to snug the plug.
• Then use the torque wrench with the 17mm socket to tighten the plug to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Do not overtighten; the pan can crack.

Step 7: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter. On the 1.5L, the oil filter is a spin-on canister mounted low on the engine (usually front or rear side of the engine block).
• Use the oil filter wrench (cup or band style) on the old filter and turn it counterclockwise to loosen.
• Once loose, spin it off by hand and keep it upright to reduce spills. More oil will drain, so make sure the drain pan is positioned correctly.
• Check that the old rubber gasket from the filter is not stuck on the engine mating surface; it must come off with the old filter.

Step 8: Install the new oil filter

• Take the new oil filter out of the box.
• Dip a clean finger into fresh engine oil and lightly coat the rubber gasket on the new filter. This helps it seal and makes removal easier next time.
• Thread the new filter onto the engine by hand, turning clockwise. Do not cross-thread it.
• Once the gasket contacts the engine surface, hand-tighten the filter an additional 3/4 turn. If the filter has a torque spec on it and your torque wrench and filter cup allow, you can tighten to about 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Only hand tools; never use an impact gun.

Step 9: Clean up under the vehicle

• Use shop rags to wipe any oil from around the drain plug and oil filter.
• If it’s very oily, spray a little brake cleaner or degreaser and wipe clean.
• Make sure the drain pan with old oil is slid out from under the Equinox but kept level to avoid spills.

Step 10: Reinstall the lower engine shield

• Lift the shield back into place under the engine.
• Reinstall any bolts using the 3/8" ratchet and correct socket (often 10mm if present).
• Push the plastic clips back into their holes until they click and hold the shield securely.

Step 11: Lower the Equinox back to the ground

• Use the floor jack to raise the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands and slowly lower the vehicle to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks once the job is complete.

Step 12: Add new engine oil

• With the Equinox on level ground, place the funnel into the oil fill opening on top of the engine.
• Pour in about 3.8 quarts of fresh 0W-20 Dexos1 Gen 2 synthetic oil.
• Wait a minute, then remove the funnel and install the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 13: Start the engine and check for leaks

• Sit in the driver’s seat and start the engine.
• Let it idle for about 30–60 seconds; the oil light on the dash should go off after a few seconds.
• Turn off the engine.
• Look underneath (from outside, without lifting again) with a flashlight to see if there is any fresh oil dripping from the drain plug or filter area.
• If you see drips, gently tighten that part.

Step 14: Check the oil level with the dipstick

• After the engine has been off for about 5 minutes, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean with a rag, then reinsert it fully.
• Pull it out again and check the oil level; it should be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks, ideally close to “MAX”.
• If it’s low, use the funnel to add oil in small amounts (about 0.2 quart at a time), rechecking with the dipstick until it is at the correct level.
• Total capacity with filter is about 4.2 quarts, so you will likely add a bit more than the 3.8 quarts you first poured in.

Step 15: Reset the oil life monitor

• Turn the ignition to ON (engine can be running or just in ON mode, but not in ACC).
• Use the right-side steering wheel buttons to navigate the Driver Information Center:
• Press the left/right arrow to go to Vehicle menu.
• Scroll with up/down arrow to find Remaining Oil Life.
• Press and hold the checkmark button until the oil life resets to 100%.
• This tells the system you did the oil change.

Step 16: Dispose of used oil and filter properly

• Pour the used oil from the drain pan into a sealable container (old oil containers work well) using the funnel.
• Place the old filter in a plastic bag to catch drips.
• Take the used oil and filter to a local recycling center or auto parts store that accepts used oil.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and let it idle for a couple of minutes, watching for any warning lights on the dash.
• Check again under the Equinox for any new oil drips after a short drive.
• Recheck the oil level with the dipstick the next day when the engine is cold and top off if needed.
• Make a note of the date and mileage so you know when the next oil change is due.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90–$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35–$60 (parts only)

You Save: $55–$80 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5–1.0 hours.

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