🔧 Acadia - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

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

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and use jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be very hot; let the engine cool 15–30 minutes.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and exhaust parts to avoid smoke/odor.
• ⚠️ If you raise the Acadia, chock the rear wheels and set the parking brake.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

---

🔧 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 rags
• 15mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive)
• Flat trim clip tool
• 7mm socket
• 24mm socket
• Oil filter wrench (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🧰 Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off and let it cool down so oil flows but won’t burn you.
• 🧰 Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• 🧰 If you need more room, lift the front with a floor jack and support with jack stands under the proper front lift points.
• 🧰 Have your new oil and filter opened and ready so you’re not searching while oil is draining.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the hood and prep the fill point

• Remove the oil fill cap by hand and set it aside (this helps oil drain faster).
• Pull the oil dipstick up slightly to vent the crankcase.
• Set the cap where it can’t fall in.

Step 2: Access the drain plug (lower cover if equipped)

• If a lower splash shield is in the way, remove its fasteners using a 7mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.
• For push-clips, pop them out using a flat trim clip tool (a small pry tool made for plastic clips).

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place the drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Loosen the drain plug using a 15mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.
• Finish removing the plug by hand and let the oil fully drain (usually 5–10 minutes).
• Inspect the drain plug sealing surface and replace the oil drain plug gasket if it’s a separate gasket/washer.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Reinstall the drain plug by hand first (this prevents cross-threading).
• Tighten using a torque wrench (3/8" drive): Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop rags so you can easily spot leaks later.

Step 5: Replace the oil filter (two possible setups)

• Look for your filter style first:
• If you see a round plastic cap housing (usually on top/front of the engine), use the 24mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to loosen the cap, remove the cartridge filter, and install the new one.
• If you see a metal spin-on canister underneath, use an oil filter wrench (specialty) to loosen it, then remove by hand.
• For either style, wipe the sealing surface clean with shop rags.
• For a spin-on filter, lightly oil the new filter’s rubber gasket using a dab of new oil, then install until gasket contacts, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• For a cartridge housing, reinstall the cap and tighten with a torque wrench (3/8" drive): Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Hand-tight is usually enough for spin-on filters.

Step 6: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reinstall the cover and fasteners using a 7mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.
• Reinstall any push-clips by pressing them in by hand (use the flat trim clip tool to align if needed).

Step 7: Refill with the correct oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Pour in SAE 5W-30, dexos1-approved full synthetic: start with about 5.5 quarts, then top off as needed.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, and verify the 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 settle.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter area (use safety glasses).
• Check the dipstick level, wipe, reinsert, and recheck; top off slowly using the funnel until it’s in the safe range.

Step 9: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Use one of these common Acadia methods:
• Method A (cluster menu): With ignition ON, use the steering wheel controls to go to Vehicle Info > Oil Life, then press and hold SET/CLR until it resets to 100%.
• Method B (pedal): With ignition ON (engine off), fully press and release the accelerator pedal 3 times within 5 seconds.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Recheck for leaks after your first short drive (5–10 minutes).
• ✅ Confirm the oil level again on level ground after the engine sits a few minutes.
• ✅ Properly recycle used oil and the old filter at an auto parts store or recycling center.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$200 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $40-$85 (parts only)

You Save: $80-$115 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.

---

🎯 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.