🔧 Traverse - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Traverse with fresh oil. Clean oil protects the 3.6L V6 from wear, heat, and sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot.
• ⚠️ Never rely on a floor jack alone. Always support your Traverse with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Used engine oil can irritate skin. Wear gloves and avoid prolonged contact.
• ⚠️ Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or auto parts store.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this oil change.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 15mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Oil filter cap wrench 74mm 15-flute
• Drain pan 8-quart minimum
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil 5W-30 full synthetic dexos1 Gen 2 or newer - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug seal - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Traverse on level ground.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Run the engine for 2-3 minutes if it is cold, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap. This helps the oil drain smoothly.
• A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not too loose or too tight.
• An oil filter cap wrench fits over the round oil filter so you can loosen it without crushing it.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Support the Front

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front of your Traverse at the front subframe lift point.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the approved front support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and lightly shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable.
• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Never crawl under a jack-only vehicle.

Step 2: Position the Drain Pan

• Slide the drain pan 8-quart minimum under the engine oil drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan.
• Use shop towels nearby in case oil drips outside the pan.

Step 3: Remove the Engine Oil Drain Plug

• Use a 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Turn the plug counterclockwise by hand once loose, then pull it away quickly so the oil drains into the pan.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Inspect the drain plug and remove the old drain plug seal.

Step 4: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install the new engine oil drain plug seal onto the drain plug.
• Wipe the oil pan sealing surface with shop towels.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug to Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Hand-start bolts before using tools.

Step 5: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the drain pan 8-quart minimum under the oil filter area.
• Use the oil filter cap wrench 74mm 15-flute with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter counterclockwise.
• Once loose, spin the oil filter off by hand.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the filter. The gasket is the rubber sealing ring on the filter.
• Wipe the filter mounting surface clean with shop towels.

Step 6: Install the New Oil Filter

• Dip a gloved finger in clean oil and lightly coat the rubber gasket on the new engine oil filter.
• Thread the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches the engine.
• Use the oil filter cap wrench 74mm 15-flute and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the filter to Torque to 18 Nm (13 ft-lbs).
• If your replacement filter label gives a different tightening instruction, follow the filter maker’s instruction.
• Do not overtighten the filter.

Step 7: Refill the Engine Oil

• Lower your Traverse back to level ground using the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum after removing the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Place the funnel into the engine oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 5.5 quarts of engine oil 5W-30 full synthetic dexos1 Gen 2 or newer.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 8: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use a flashlight if available, or visually inspect with safety glasses on, around the drain plug and oil filter for leaks.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes so the oil can settle back into the oil pan.

Step 9: Check and Adjust the Oil Level

• Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean with shop towels, reinstall it fully, then pull it out again.
• Add oil through the funnel in small amounts until the level reaches the full mark.
• The total capacity with filter replacement is approximately 6 quarts.
• Reinstall the dipstick and oil fill cap securely by hand.

Step 10: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel controls to open the Driver Information Center.
• Select Info > Oil Life.
• Press and hold the checkmark/select button until the oil life resets to 100%.
• If prompted, select Yes using the steering wheel controls.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Drive your Traverse for 5-10 minutes, then park on level ground and recheck the oil level.
• ✅ Recheck the drain plug and oil filter area for any seepage.
• ✅ Confirm the oil life display shows 100%.
• ✅ Pour the used oil into a sealed container and recycle it with the old filter.
• ✅ Check the oil level again the next day to make sure it remains full.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$80 (parts only)

You Save: $45-$80 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.6 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.