🔧 Engine Oil & Oil Filter - Oil Change

Changing the oil and filter on your Equinox keeps the engine lubricated and helps prevent wear. This job is straightforward if you have basic hand tools and a way to safely lift the vehicle.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a cool engine so you do not burn yourself on hot oil or exhaust parts.
• Use jack stands if you lift the vehicle. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Keep the transmission in Park and set the parking brake before going underneath.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a proper recycling center.

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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
• 15mm socket
• Ratchet
• Oil filter wrench
• Drain pan
• Torque wrench
• Funnel
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil 5W-30 synthetic - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine cool down.
• Gather the new filter and oil before draining anything.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of the vehicle at the proper lift points.
• Place the vehicle on jack stands and lower it gently onto the stands.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.

Step 2: Remove the engine oil fill cap

• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap by hand.
• This helps the oil drain faster.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use the 15mm socket and ratchet to remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain completely.
• Install a new oil drain plug washer if your plug uses one.
• Reinstall the drain plug and tighten to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter.
• Use the oil filter wrench to loosen and remove the filter.
• Check that the old filter gasket came off with the filter.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Lightly coat the new filter gasket with clean engine oil.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches.
• Tighten the filter by hand an additional 3/4 turn.
• Do not use the wrench to tighten the new filter.

Step 6: Refill with new engine oil

• Lower the vehicle back to level ground.
• Use a funnel to add about 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 synthetic engine oil first.
• Wait a minute, then check the dipstick and top off as needed.
• Final capacity is typically about 5 quarts with filter change, but always verify the dipstick level.

Step 7: Start and inspect

• Start the engine and let it run for 30 seconds.
• Look underneath for oil leaks at the drain plug and filter.
• Shut the engine off and wait a few minutes, then recheck the oil level.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the oil level again after a short drive.
• Verify there are no leaks under the vehicle.
• Reset the oil life monitor through the vehicle information menu if needed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $75-$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$60 (parts only)

You Save: $40-$80 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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