🔧 Traverse - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with the correct oil for your Traverse. This keeps the 3.6L properly lubricated and helps prevent engine wear.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and set the parking brake.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 10-20 minutes; oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts/exhaust; it can smoke and smell.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• 15mm socket
• 7mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension (6")
• Torque wrench (ft-lb)
• Oil filter wrench (band-style)
• 24mm socket
• Oil filter cap wrench (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 0W-20 full synthetic, dexos1 approved) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket/washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Gather your oil and filter first so you’re not stuck mid-job.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front (if needed)

• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front at the proper lift point.
• Set the vehicle down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Give the vehicle a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable.

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

• Slide the drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the engine oil pan area.
• Use a 7mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet (and 3/8" drive extension (6") if needed) to remove the splash shield fasteners.
• Set the shield and fasteners aside in a small pile so you don’t lose them.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Position the drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the oil drain plug.
• Use a 15mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand (push inward while turning, then pull away quickly) to reduce spills.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (typically 5-10 minutes).

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug

• Wipe the drain plug area clean using shop towels.
• Install a new oil drain plug gasket/washer if your plug uses one.
• Thread the plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten using a torque wrench (ft-lb): Torque to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm).

Step 5: Replace the oil filter (choose the type you have)

• Look for your filter style:
• If you see a metal “can” filter underneath, follow Option A (spin-on).
• If you see a plastic cap/housing (often accessed from above), follow Option B (cartridge).

Step 6A: Option A — Spin-on filter replacement

• Move the drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the filter area.
• Use an oil filter wrench (band-style) to loosen the old filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the filter (it can stick to the engine).
• Wipe the sealing surface with shop towels.
• Lightly coat the new filter’s rubber gasket with fresh oil (use a fingertip).
• Install the new filter by hand until the gasket contacts, then tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn. Do not use a wrench to tighten.

Step 6B: Option B — Cartridge filter replacement

• Place shop towels around the filter housing to catch drips.
• Use a 24mm socket (or oil filter cap wrench (specialty) if needed) with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the housing cap.
• Lift the cap and old cartridge out, then remove the old cartridge from the cap.
• Replace the housing cap O-ring if your new filter includes one (remove/install carefully so it doesn’t twist).
• Install the new cartridge onto the cap, then reinstall the cap by hand first.
• Tighten using a torque wrench (ft-lb): Torque to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm).

Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the shield and start all fasteners by hand.
• Tighten using a 7mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet (snug, do not overtighten).

Step 8: Refill with new oil

• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap.
• Place a funnel in the fill hole.
• Pour in SAE 0W-20 full synthetic, dexos1 approved oil: start with 5.5 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 9: Start, check for leaks, and set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Look underneath with safety glasses on for leaks at the drain plug and filter area.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to settle.
• Check the dipstick, then add oil as needed to reach the full mark (typically ends up around ~6 quarts total with filter).
• Wipe any spilled oil using shop towels.

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✅ After Repair

• Reset the oil life on your Traverse’s Driver Information Center:
  • Use the steering wheel controls to find Oil Life on the cluster display.
  • Press and hold SET/CLR until it resets to 100%.
• Take a short 5-10 minute drive, then recheck for leaks and recheck the dipstick level.
• Pour the old oil into a sealed container and take it to an oil recycling drop-off (most parts stores accept it).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$220 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$85 (parts only)

You Save: $75-$135 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 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.