🔧 Trax - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, and refill with the correct oil. This keeps your Trax’s turbocharged engine lubricated and helps prevent premature wear and sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.0-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the Trax with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 20–30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; oil can irritate skin and eyes.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts/hoses and clean spills immediately.
• ⚠️ 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)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart capacity)
• Funnel
• 15mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench
• 24mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• T25 Torx screwdriver
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (5W-30 full synthetic, dexos1-approved) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Engine oil filter (cartridge type with new O-ring) - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug seal - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Raise the front of the Trax with a floor jack and support it with jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Slide the drain pan under the engine area.
• Remove the shield fasteners using a T25 Torx screwdriver.
• Pop any push-clips out using a trim clip removal tool.
• Set the shield and fasteners aside so you don’t lose them.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Locate the oil drain plug at the bottom of the oil pan.
• Use a 15mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish by hand.
• Let the oil drain into the drain pan until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5–10 minutes).
• Clean the drain plug and install a new engine oil drain plug seal if your plug uses one.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench with a 15mm socket to tighten the plug: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean using shop rags.

Step 4: Replace the oil filter (cartridge in housing)

• Open the hood and locate the oil filter housing cap on top of the engine.
• Use a 24mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the housing cap.
• Lift the cap and cartridge out, keeping it upright to avoid spills. (A “housing cap” is the screw-on cover that holds the filter cartridge.)
• Pull the old cartridge off the cap.
• Remove the old O-ring from the cap and install the new O-ring that comes with the filter. Don’t reuse the old O-ring.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring with fresh oil using a gloved finger.
• Install the new cartridge onto the cap and reinstall the cap into the housing.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench with a 24mm socket to tighten the cap: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Reinstall the lower splash shield (if removed)

• Position the shield back in place.
• Install fasteners using a T25 Torx screwdriver and press clips back in using a trim clip removal tool.

Step 6: Refill with new oil

• Remove the oil fill cap on top of the engine.
• Place a funnel in the fill opening.
• Pour in about 4.0 quarts of 5W-30 full synthetic, dexos1-approved.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 7: Start, check for leaks, and set the final 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 into the pan.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and around the oil filter housing.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop rags, reinsert fully, then pull again and read the level.
• Add oil in small amounts (about 0.2 quart at a time) using the funnel until the level is near the full mark.
• Typical total fill is about 4.2 quarts (4.0 L) with filter.

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✅ After Repair

• Lower the Trax safely from the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Reset the oil life monitor:
  • Using the Driver Information Center: use steering wheel controls to find Oil Life, then press/hold the reset/OK button until it resets.
  • If your cluster supports it: ignition ON (engine OFF), press the accelerator pedal 3 times within 5 seconds.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts waste oil.
• Recheck the dipstick level the next morning (cold engine) and top off if needed.

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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 0.7-1.0 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.