🔧 Yukon - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

On your Yukon, an oil change means draining the old engine oil, replacing the spin-on oil filter, and refilling with the correct dexos-approved oil. This keeps the 5.3L properly lubricated and helps prevent engine wear and sludge.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.0 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the Yukon with jack stands (never rely on a jack alone).
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot. Let it cool 10-20 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and exhaust parts to reduce smoke/odor.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this service.

---

🔧 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
• 15mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs)
• Oil drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• Oil filter cap wrench 76mm 14-flute
• Extension bar 3/8" drive 6"
• Funnel
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 0W-20 full synthetic, dexos-approved) - Qty: 8 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket/washer - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap by hand to help the crankcase vent while draining.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of the Yukon

• Place the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) under the front jacking point and lift the vehicle.
• Set the Yukon securely onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Give the vehicle a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before you go underneath.

Step 2: Position the drain pan

• Slide the oil drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Use a 15mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing it by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).
• Wipe the drain plug clean with shop towels.
• Replace the drain plug gasket/washer if your plug uses a separate washer.

Step 4: 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 (10-100 ft-lbs) with a 15mm socket to tighten the plug: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the oil drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil filter area (some oil will spill when the filter comes off).
• Use the oil filter cap wrench 76mm 14-flute with a 3/8" drive ratchet and extension bar 3/8" drive 6" to loosen the oil filter.
• Spin the filter off by hand and let it drain into the pan.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (it should). If it stuck to the engine, peel it off by hand.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Wipe the filter mounting surface clean using shop towels.
• Put a light film of fresh 0W-20 oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand. Hand-tight is correct here.

Step 7: Refill with new oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 7.5 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full synthetic, dexos-approved oil.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, and set the final level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Wait 5 minutes, then check the dipstick, wipe, reinsert, and recheck.
• Top off as needed to reach the full mark (total capacity is typically about 8 quarts with a filter change—don’t overfill).

Step 9: Reset the oil life monitor

• Turn the ignition to ON (engine can be off).
• Use the steering wheel controls to find the oil life screen in the Driver Information Center.
• Press and hold the OK button until it resets to 100%.

---

✅ After Repair

• Recheck the oil level after your first short drive and top off if needed.
• Look under the Yukon the next morning for any fresh drips.
• Pour used oil into a sealed container and take it (and the old filter) to a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts used oil.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $110-$190 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $65-$105 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.

---

🎯 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.