🔧 Impala - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

Changing the engine oil and oil filter keeps your engine lubricated and prevents premature wear. On your Impala, you’ll drain the old oil from the oil pan, replace the spin-on oil filter, then refill with the correct oil and reset the oil life monitor.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.75-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the car with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot—let the engine cool 10-20 minutes if it was just driven.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts/exhaust; wipe spills immediately to prevent smoke/fire risk.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (6-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension (6")
• 15mm socket
• Torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• Oil filter wrench (band-style)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (5W-30) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket (if equipped) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Raise the front of your Impala with a floor jack and support it securely on jack stands.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap (this helps oil drain smoothly).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain the old engine oil

• Slide the drain pan (6-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 15mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet (and 3/8" drive extension (6") if needed) to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish unthreading the plug by hand and pull it away quickly so oil flows into the pan.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).

Step 2: Reinstall the drain plug

• Wipe the drain plug and the oil pan sealing surface with shop rags.
• If your plug uses a gasket, replace it with the new oil drain plug gasket (if equipped).
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench with a 15mm socket to tighten: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 3: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan (6-quart minimum) under the oil filter area (the filter will spill oil when removed).
• Use an oil filter wrench (band-style) to loosen the oil filter.
• Spin the filter off by hand and keep it upright as you remove it.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (it should be stuck to the filter). Double-gasket causes big leaks.

Step 4: Install the new oil filter

• Wipe the engine’s filter mounting surface with shop rags.
• Put a thin film of new oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (this helps it seal).
• Thread the new oil filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten 3/4 turn more by hand.
• If access is tight, use the oil filter wrench (band-style) only for a small snug—do not overtighten.

Step 5: Refill with new oil

• Lower your Impala off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening on the engine.
• Pour in about 3.5-4.0 quarts of 5W-30 to start.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 6: Start, check for leaks, and set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 2-3 minutes for oil to drain back to the pan.
• Check underneath for leaks around the drain plug and oil filter.
• Check the dipstick level, then add oil as needed to reach the full mark (add in small amounts).
• Wipe any spilled oil using shop rags.

Step 7: Reset the oil life monitor

• Turn the key to ON (engine off).
• Fully press and release the accelerator pedal 3 times within 5 seconds.
• Turn the key to OFF, then start the engine and verify the oil life reset.

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✅ After Repair

• Take a short 5-10 minute drive, then re-check for leaks under the engine.
• Re-check the dipstick level on level ground and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts used oil.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$90 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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