🔧 Engine Oil & Oil Filter - Oil Change

On your Equinox, the engine oil and cartridge-style oil filter should be replaced together at each service. This keeps the turbo engine protected and helps maintain proper oil pressure and cleanliness.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and let the engine cool enough to handle safely.
• Hot oil can burn you. Wear gloves and safety glasses.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on the jack alone.
• Keep the engine off and key away from the vehicle while you work.
• This engine uses a cartridge oil filter housing. Be sure the old O-ring is removed before installing the new one.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 24mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Oil filter cap wrench (specialty)
• 7mm socket
• Flat trim clip tool
• Drain pan
• Funnel
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic dexos1-licensed) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug washer - Qty: 1
• Oil filter housing O-ring - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine idle for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap before draining.
• Raise the front of the vehicle securely and support it with jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the underbody shield

• Use the 7mm socket and flat trim clip tool to remove the lower splash shield fasteners.
• Set the shield and fasteners aside in order.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Place the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use the 24mm socket to remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain fully.
• Install a new oil drain plug washer and reinstall the drain plug.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 3: Replace the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter housing.
• Use the oil filter cap wrench (specialty) to remove the filter housing cap.
• Pull out the old oil filter and remove the old O-ring from the cap.
• Install the new oil filter and new oil filter housing O-ring.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring with fresh oil before installing it.
• Reinstall the cap and torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Make sure the O-ring is seated correctly.

Step 4: Reinstall the underbody shield

• Use the 7mm socket and flat trim clip tool to reinstall the splash shield.

Step 5: Add fresh oil

• Lower the vehicle if needed and place a funnel in the oil fill opening.
• Add about 4.5 quarts of engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic dexos1-licensed) first.
• Install the oil fill cap.

Step 6: Check the oil level

• Start the engine and let it run for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes.
• Check the dipstick and top off as needed.
• Final fill is usually about 4.8 quarts total with filter, but always stop at the full mark on the dipstick.

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✅ After Repair

• Check under the vehicle for leaks at the drain plug and filter housing.
• Verify the oil level again after a short drive.
• Reset the oil life monitor through the driver information menu if needed.
• Properly recycle the used oil and filter.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$65 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$95 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.