🔧 Equinox - Engine Oil & Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil from your Equinox, replace the oil filter, and refill with fresh oil that meets GM’s specs. 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 front of your Equinox with jack stands if you raise it. Never rely only on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be very hot. Let the engine cool 20–30 minutes after driving.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the drive belt and exhaust to avoid smoke and possible fire.
• ⚠️ Work on a solid, level surface with the transmission in Park and parking brake firmly set.
• ⚠️ Used engine oil is hazardous waste. Dispose of it at a recycling center, not in trash or drains.
• Battery disconnect 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, Qty: 2)
• 🧰 Wheel chocks
• 🧰 15mm socket
• 🧰 3/8" drive ratchet
• 🧰 3" extension (3/8" drive)
• 🧰 32mm socket (for oil filter cap)
• 🧰 Torque wrench (3/8" drive, 5–75 ft-lbs range)
• 🧰 Oil drain pan (at least 8-quart capacity)
• 🧰 Plastic or nitrile gloves
• 🧰 Safety glasses
• 🧰 Funnel (medium size)
• 🧰 Shop towels or rags
• 🧰 Flathead screwdriver

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🧱 Engine oil (0W-20, full synthetic, dexos1 approved) - Qty: 5 quarts (you will use about 4.2 quarts)
• 🧱 Engine oil filter cartridge (for 1.5L LYX engine) - Qty: 1
• 🧱 Oil filter cap O-ring - Qty: 1 (usually included with filter)
• 🧱 Engine oil drain plug gasket (crush washer) - Qty: 1 (if equipped / needed)
• 🧱 Brake cleaner spray or engine degreaser - Qty: 1 (for cleaning spilled oil)

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Equinox on level ground, set the parking brake, and put the shifter in Park.
• Let the engine cool for about 20–30 minutes if it was just driven.
• Gather all tools and parts so you don’t have to crawl in and out from under the vehicle repeatedly.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels to prevent rolling.
• On the driver display, note your current oil life percentage so you can confirm the reset later.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the front of the vehicle

• Position the floor jack under the front center jacking point (behind the front bumper, on the subframe area) and pump it until the front wheels are off the ground.
• Place jack stands under the factory pinch weld points just behind each front wheel.
• Lower the vehicle slowly onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Give the car a small push to verify stability.

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

• Slide the oil drain pan under the engine area first so you can see where you will work.
• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently turn or pry out any plastic clips holding the lower splash shield.
• If there are bolts, use an appropriate socket (often 10mm) with a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove them.
• Lower the shield and set it aside, noting where each fastener goes.

Step 3: Locate the drain plug and filter

• Under the engine, locate the engine oil pan (the metal pan at the bottom of the engine).
• Find the oil drain plug at the rear or bottom of the pan; it uses a 15mm socket.
• Open the hood and locate the oil filter housing on top of the engine. It is a black plastic cap near the front of the engine that takes a 32mm socket.

Step 4: Loosen the oil filler cap

• At the top of the engine, remove the plastic engine cover if needed by pulling upward.
• Twist the oil filler cap counterclockwise by hand to loosen or remove it.
• This lets the oil drain out more smoothly.

Step 5: Drain the old engine oil

• Position the oil drain pan directly under the drain plug, leaving room for the oil stream to arc out slightly.
• Use a 15mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to carefully loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand and quickly move your hand away so the oil goes into the pan.
• Let the oil drain until it is only dripping—this usually takes 5–10 minutes.

Step 6: Reinstall the drain plug

• Inspect the drain plug and gasket. Replace the gasket with a new one if it is damaged or crushed.
• Thread the drain plug back into the oil pan by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 15mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
• Wipe away any oil around the plug with shop towels.

Step 7: Remove the oil filter cap and old cartridge

• Move to the top of the engine bay.
• Place the oil drain pan under the general area of the oil filter housing in case of drips.
• Use a 32mm socket, 3/8" drive ratchet, and extension to loosen the plastic oil filter cap counterclockwise.
• Lift the cap straight up; the old filter cartridge will come out attached to the cap.
• Pull the old filter cartridge off the cap by hand and set it in the drain pan.

Step 8: Replace the O-ring on the filter cap

• An O-ring is a rubber seal that prevents leaks; it sits in a groove on the filter cap.
• Use a flathead screwdriver gently to pry the old O-ring off the cap. Do not scratch the plastic.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring with a bit of fresh engine oil using your gloved fingers.
• Roll the new O-ring into the same groove on the cap, making sure it is not twisted.
• A lightly oiled O-ring seals better and installs easier.

Step 9: Install the new filter cartridge

• Take the new oil filter cartridge and push it straight onto the stem of the filter cap until it clicks or feels fully seated.
• Carefully lower the cap and new filter back into the housing on the engine.
• Thread the cap by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 32mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the cap.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Add new engine oil

• Place a funnel in the oil filler opening on top of the engine.
• Pour in about 3.8 quarts of the new 0W-20 engine oil slowly.
• Wait a minute, then check the dipstick (yellow handle): pull it out, wipe with a shop towel, reinsert fully, and pull again to read.
• Add oil in small amounts until the level reaches between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick.
• The total capacity with filter is about 4.0 L (4.2 quarts), but always confirm with the dipstick.

Step 11: Reinstall engine cover and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand and tighten snugly.
• Reinstall the plastic engine cover if removed by pressing it back onto its mounting points.
• Under the vehicle, reinstall the lower splash shield using the flathead screwdriver and any sockets you removed earlier.
• Use the floor jack to lift the front slightly, remove the jack stands, and then lower the vehicle completely to the ground.

Step 12: Start the engine and check for leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for about 30–60 seconds.
• Look under the front of the vehicle (use a flashlight) and check around the drain plug and oil filter housing for any drips.
• If you see leaks, shut off the engine and gently retorque the leaking area using the appropriate socket and torque wrench.
• Shut off the engine and wait 5 minutes, then recheck the oil level with the dipstick and top up if needed.

Step 13: Reset the oil life monitor

• Turn the ignition to ON (engine off) or start the engine.
• Use the steering wheel controls to access the driver information center.
• Navigate: Menu > Vehicle Information > Oil Life.
• Press and hold the checkmark or OK button until the oil life resets to 100%.
• Oil life reset confirms the reminder knows you changed oil.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the ground under your Equinox after a short drive to confirm there are no oil spots.
• Monitor the oil level over the next few days and recheck with the dipstick; top up if it drops below MAX.
• Verify the oil life monitor now shows 100% on the driver display.
• Store your next oil change mileage and date somewhere you’ll remember.
• Take used oil and the old filter to a local recycling or service station that accepts waste oil.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$150 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (parts only, depending on oil brand)

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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🎯 Ready to get started?

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