🔧 LaCrosse - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

Changing the oil and filter keeps your engine lubricated and removes contamination that causes wear. On your LaCrosse, this is a straightforward job from underneath the front of the car.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 15-30 minutes to avoid burns from hot oil and exhaust.
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands (never rely on a floor jack alone).
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and tires; clean spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Dispose of used oil and the filter properly (most parts stores accept both).

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension (6")
• 15mm socket
• Torque wrench (10-50 Nm range)
• Oil filter wrench (adjustable band type)
• Trim clip removal tool

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-30 full synthetic, GM dexos1 approved) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap (this helps the crankcase vent while draining).
• Lift the front using a floor jack and set it securely on jack stands at the factory jack points.

---

🔨 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.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to pop out any plastic push-clips.
• Use a 3/8" drive ratchet with a 15mm socket (or the appropriate fastener size present) to remove any bolts holding the shield, then set the shield aside.

Step 2: Drain the old engine oil

• Locate the oil pan drain plug at the bottom of the oil pan.
• Use a 15mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, turning counterclockwise.
• Finish unthreading the plug by hand and quickly pull it away so the oil drains into the drain pan.
• Let it drain for 5-10 minutes until it slows to a drip.
• Wipe the drain plug area clean with shop rags.

Step 3: Reinstall the drain plug

• Install a new oil drain plug gasket on the drain plug (if your plug uses one).
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench with a 15mm socket to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Hand-starting the plug prevents expensive oil-pan damage.

Step 4: Remove the old oil filter

• Locate the oil filter at the front/lower area of the engine.
• Reposition the drain pan under the filter because it will spill.
• Use an oil filter wrench (adjustable band type) to break it loose, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the filter (a stuck gasket can cause a major leak).

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of new oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the mounting surface.
• Tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn. Do not over-tighten.

Step 6: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the shield and start all fasteners by hand.
• Use the trim clip removal tool to reinstall any push-clips.
• Use a 3/8" drive ratchet with the correct socket to snug the bolts (do not strip plastic fasteners).

Step 7: Refill with new oil

• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Add about 5.5 quarts of SAE 5W-30 dexos1 oil first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

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

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back to the pan.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Check the dipstick, then top off as needed (typical total with filter is about 6.0 quarts).

Step 9: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Turn the ignition to ON (engine off).
• Use the steering wheel buttons to open the Driver Information Center oil life screen.
• Press and hold SET/CLR until it resets to 100%.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Recheck the dipstick after your first short drive and top off if needed.
• ✅ Inspect the driveway/garage floor for fresh drips over the next day.
• ✅ Pour used oil into a sealed container and recycle the oil and filter.

---

💰 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 0.5-1.0 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.