🔧 Traverse - Engine Oil and Filter Change

This is a solid beginner DIY job. Drain the old oil, replace the spin-on filter, refill the engine, check for leaks, and reset the oil-life monitor. Your Traverse’s 3.6L V6 takes 6.0 US quarts (5.7 liters) with a new filter.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work beneath a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use ramps or properly positioned jack stands.
• ⚠️ Let the exhaust cool enough to touch safely. Warm oil drains well, but hot oil burns fast.
• ⚠️ Keep the engine off and the key away from the vehicle while working underneath.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and oil-resistant gloves.
• ⚠️ Do not overfill the engine. Too much oil can cause engine damage.
• ⚠️ The battery does not need to be disconnected.

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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 (specialty)
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Oil drain pan rated 10-quart minimum
• Long-neck funnel
• Plastic trim-clip tool
• Shop towels
• Oil-resistant nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Full-synthetic SAE 5W-30 engine oil meeting GM dexos1 specification - Qty: 6 quarts
• Vehicle-matched spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain-plug sealing washer - Qty: 1 if damaged or flattened

Use oil carrying the current dexos1 approval. The factory manual specifies full-synthetic 5W-30 for this engine. chevrolet.com)

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📋 Park your Traverse on firm, level pavement.
• 📋 Run the engine for three to five minutes, then shut it off. The oil should be warm, not scorching hot.
• 📋 Shift into Park, apply the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind both rear wheels.
• 📋 Open the hood and loosen the engine oil-fill cap. This helps the oil drain smoothly.
• 📋 If lifting the front, raise it only at the approved front lifting point and support it at both front support points.
• 📋 Confirm the vehicle is stable before putting any part of your body underneath it.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the front

• Use the 2-ton floor jack to raise the front of your Traverse enough to reach the oil pan safely.
• Place both 2-ton jack stands under the approved front support points, then lower the vehicle onto them.
• Push the vehicle gently from the side. It must remain completely stable.
• If it moves, stop and reposition it.

Step 2: Locate the drain plug and filter

• Put on the safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use the plastic trim-clip tool only if an access panel or splash-shield fastener blocks the drain plug or filter.
• Identify the engine oil pan drain plug and the spin-on oil filter. Confirm you are not opening the transmission case.
• Position the 10-quart drain pan beneath the drain plug, slightly toward the expected direction of flow.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Use the 15mm six-point socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pushing it lightly toward the oil pan. Pull it away quickly when the threads release.
• Allow the oil to drain until it slows to an occasional drip, usually 10-15 minutes.
• Clean the drain plug with a shop towel. Replace its sealing washer if it is cracked, distorted, or deeply grooved.

Step 4: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the 10-quart drain pan underneath the oil filter.
• Turn the filter counterclockwise by hand. If it is stuck, loosen it with the adjustable oil-filter wrench.
• Keep the filter upright while lowering it because it contains used oil.
• Check that the old rubber filter gasket came off with the filter. A gasket left on the engine can cause a major leak.
• Wipe the filter mounting surface clean with a shop towel.
• Two filter gaskets make one impressive mess.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Dip a clean gloved finger into fresh oil and spread a thin film over the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• Thread the filter clockwise onto the engine by hand.
• When the gasket first touches the mounting surface, tighten the filter approximately another three-quarter turn by hand.
• Do not use the oil-filter wrench to tighten it unless the filter manufacturer specifically supplies a torque value.

Step 6: Reinstall the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan completely by hand. It should turn easily without binding.
• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench to tighten it to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the drain-plug area clean with a shop towel. A clean surface makes fresh leakage easy to spot.

Step 7: Lower the vehicle

• Reinstall any removed access panel using the plastic trim-clip tool.
• Use the 2-ton floor jack to raise the vehicle slightly off the stands.
• Remove both 2-ton jack stands, then lower your Traverse slowly onto level ground.

Step 8: Add the new oil

• Place the long-neck funnel in the engine oil-fill opening.
• Pour in approximately 5.5 quarts of full-synthetic SAE 5W-30 dexos1 oil.
• Wait one minute, remove the dipstick, wipe it with a shop towel, reinstall it fully, and check the level.
• Add oil gradually until the level reaches the upper portion of the dipstick’s crosshatched operating range.
• The expected total with a new filter is 6.0 quarts (5.7 liters). Use the dipstick as the final authority rather than blindly pouring every drop. ownersmanuals2.com
• Remove the long-neck funnel and securely reinstall the oil-fill cap.

Step 9: Start the engine and inspect for leaks

• Make sure no tools remain beneath the hood or vehicle.
• Start the engine and confirm the oil-pressure warning light turns off within a few seconds.
• If the warning light remains on, shut the engine off immediately.
• Let the engine idle for about 30 seconds while checking the drain plug and filter for leakage.
• Shut the engine off and wait at least five minutes.

Step 10: Perform the final oil-level check

• Remove the dipstick, wipe it with a shop towel, reinstall it fully, and remove it again.
• The oil should be within the crosshatched operating range, preferably near the upper mark without exceeding it.
• Add small amounts through the long-neck funnel if needed, checking the dipstick after each addition.

Step 11: Reset the engine oil-life monitor

• Switch the ignition on with the engine off.
• Use the steering-wheel controls to display Driver Information Center > Remaining Oil Life.
• Press and hold the steering-wheel checkmark button for several seconds.
• Release the button when the display changes to 100%.
• If needed, display Remaining Oil Life and slowly press the accelerator pedal fully three times within five seconds. Verify that the display shows 100%. chevrolet.com

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Drive your Traverse for 10-15 minutes, then park on level ground.
• ✅ Look underneath for fresh oil around the drain plug and filter.
• ✅ After waiting at least five minutes, check the dipstick again and correct the level if necessary.
• ✅ Recheck the level and both sealing areas after the next drive.
• ✅ Pour the used oil into sealed containers and take it, along with the drained filter, to a recycling collection point.
• ✅ Record the date and odometer reading for your maintenance history.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $80-$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (oil, filter, and sealing washer)

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

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This service takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.5 hour.

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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.