🔧 Silverado 1500 - Engine Oil and Filter Change

This is a very manageable first service. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the spin-on filter, refill the engine, check for leaks, and reset the oil-life monitor.

Assumption: These specifications apply to the stock 5.3L gasoline engine. Use 8 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full-synthetic oil meeting GM dexos1 specifications, including the filter.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work under your Silverado while it’s supported only by a jack.
• 🛑 Use level, solid ground and place the transmission in Park.
• 🌡️ Warm oil drains better, but hot oil and exhaust parts can cause serious burns.
• 🔑 Shut the engine off and keep the key away from the vehicle while underneath.
• 🧤 Wear gloves and safety glasses. Used engine oil can irritate your skin.
• ♻️ Collect every drop and take the used oil and filter to an approved recycling location.
• 🔋 Battery disconnection isn’t required.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 15mm six-point socket
• 3/8-inch-drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench rated 10-80 ft-lbs
• Adjustable oil-filter wrench
• Oil drain pan rated 10-quart minimum
• Long-neck oil funnel
• Vehicle ramps rated 3-ton minimum
• Rubber wheel chocks
• Mechanic’s nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• SAE 0W-20 full-synthetic GM dexos1 engine oil - Qty: 8 quarts
• Wix WL10255 premium spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain-plug sealing washer - Qty: 1 if damaged or leaking

The Wix filter is my pick. Its silicone anti-drainback valve helps retain oil inside the filter after shutdown. A good filter costs less than cleaning oil off the driveway.

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📍 Park your Silverado on level, solid ground.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for three to five minutes, then shut it off and wait five minutes.
• 🚗 Drive the front wheels onto the ramps slowly and center both tires.
• 🛑 Place the transmission in Park, apply the parking brake, and shut off the engine.
• 🧱 Place rubber wheel chocks tightly behind both rear tires.
• 🔓 Open the hood, remove the oil-filler cap, and pull the dipstick partly out.
• 🧰 Confirm the drain pan holds at least 10 quarts before opening the drain.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Position the drain pan

• Put on the mechanic’s nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Slide the 10-quart drain pan beneath the oil-pan drain plug.
• Position the pan slightly behind the plug because the oil initially flows outward.
• Oil travels farther than you expect.

Step 2: Remove the drain plug

• Use the 15mm six-point socket and 3/8-inch-drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing it by hand while pressing it lightly toward the oil pan.
• Pull the plug away quickly and allow the oil to drain without touching the stream.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip, usually 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Inspect and reinstall the drain plug

• Use shop towels to clean the drain plug and the sealing surface around its hole.
• Inspect the plug threads and sealing washer. Replace the washer if it’s crushed, split, or distorted.
• Thread the plug clockwise by hand until fully seated. It should turn easily without binding.
• Use the 15mm socket and torque wrench to tighten it to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Don’t overtighten it. The oil pan loses every argument with a long ratchet.

Step 4: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan beneath the spin-on oil filter.
• Use the adjustable oil-filter wrench to turn the old filter counterclockwise.
• An oil-filter wrench grips the filter can when it’s too tight to remove by hand.
• Once loose, turn the filter by hand while keeping it upright.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the filter.
• If the gasket stayed on the engine, remove it carefully by hand.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Use shop towels to clean the engine’s filter-mounting surface.
• Apply a thin film of clean 0W-20 oil to the new Wix filter’s rubber gasket.
• Thread the filter clockwise by hand until the gasket contacts the mounting surface.
• Tighten it by hand approximately three-quarters of a turn beyond gasket contact.
• Don’t use the filter wrench for final tightening unless the filter instructions specifically require it.
• Hand-tight is enough here.

Step 6: Lower the truck before filling

• Remove the tools, drain pan, and shop towels from beneath your Silverado.
• Remove the rear wheel chocks temporarily.
• Start the engine only long enough to back slowly off the ramps, then shut it off.
• Park on level ground, apply the parking brake, and reinstall the wheel chocks.
• Checking the dipstick while the truck is tilted can give a misleading reading.

Step 7: Add fresh engine oil

• Place the long-neck funnel into the oil-filler opening.
• Pour in approximately 7.5 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full-synthetic dexos1 oil.
• Remove the funnel, install the oil-filler cap, and fully seat the dipstick.
• Keep the remaining oil available for the final level adjustment.

Step 8: Build oil pressure and inspect for leaks

• Start the engine and watch the instrument panel.
• The oil-pressure warning should turn off within a few seconds.
• Shut the engine off immediately if the warning remains on or you hear abnormal knocking.
• Let the engine idle for about 30 seconds, then shut it off.
• Use the safety glasses and a flashlight to inspect the drain plug and filter for fresh oil.
• Don’t crawl underneath unless your Silverado is safely raised and supported again.

Step 9: Set the final oil level

• Wait at least five minutes with your Silverado on level ground.
• Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with a shop towel.
• Insert it fully, remove it again, and read the level.
• Add the remaining oil through the long-neck funnel in small amounts until the level reaches the full mark.
• The total capacity with a new filter is approximately 8 quarts.
• Don’t fill above the dipstick’s full mark.

Step 10: Reset the engine-oil life

• Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the steering-wheel controls to display the Driver Information Center > Info > Oil Life screen.
• Press and hold the check-mark button until the display resets to 100%.
• If that screen isn’t available, switch the ignition on without starting and press the accelerator pedal fully three times within five seconds.
• Switch the ignition off, restart the engine, and confirm the oil-life display shows 100%.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Confirm the dipstick level is at the full mark without exceeding it.
• 🔍 Recheck the filter and drain-plug areas after the first drive.
• 🧼 Clean any spilled oil from the frame, splash shield, and driveway.
• ♻️ Pour the used oil into a sealed container and recycle it with the old filter.
• 📏 Check the oil level again after roughly 50 miles or 80 kilometers.
• 📝 Follow the oil-life monitor, but check the dipstick regularly between services.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $45-$75 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hours.

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