Chevrolet Equinox Engine Oil Change Guide
How to change the motor oil and filter in a 2018 to 2022 GM Chevy Equinox with the Ecotec 1.5L Turbo I4 engine.
ByPaul B. Michaels
Author & Photographer
Auto Mechanic Since 1989
Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevy, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Holden such as the Trax, Blazer, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Cruze, Malibu, Impala, Camaro, Cascada, LaCrosse, Encore, Envision, Enclave, Regal, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade, CTS, XTS, CT6, Astra, Commodore and Trailblazer may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.
A few compatible replacement aftermarket oil filters with their part numbers include the following: Fram XG10060, ACDelco PF64, K&N HP-1017, Royal Purple 10-48, Bosch 3334,Purolator L12222 and Mobil 1 M1-113.
The tools and other items needed to complete this procedure include a 15mm socket, a 3/8" drive ratchet, a used oil catch container, a Lisle 63600 oil filter wrench (optional) with a short extension bar and an automotive funnel.
The oil capacity specification in the owner's manual for the Ecotec 1.5L turbo I4 engine for an oil change with a filter replacement is either 4.2 U.S. quarts (4.0L) for the FWD (front wheel drive) model or 5.3 U.S. quarts (5.0 liters) for the AWD (all wheel drive transmission) model.
So even though both the Equinox FWD and AWD models have the same Ecotec 1.5L turbo I4 engine, you will need 5 U.S. quarts of new SAE 0W-20 oil for an oil change on the FWD model and 6 U.S. quarts for an oil change on the AWD model.
The first steps are to warm up the engine for a few minutes, drive the vehicle on to a level surface, turn off the ignition and place the transmission into "Park".
Warming up the engine will help suspend any contaminants, debris or fine metal shavings in the old oil and also allow it to drain out more quickly.
Engage the emergency / parking brake and placewheel chocks on both sides of the rear tires to prevent the vehicle from moving.
Then open the hood, twist off the oil filler cap in the counterclockwise direction and partially remove the oil dipstick an inch or two.
Slide under the passenger side of the engine bay with the 15mm socket, a 3/8" drive ratchet and a used oil catch container.
If you need more room to work under the SUV, use the floor jack to raise the vehicle and securely support it with at least two jack stands. Do not solely rely on the floor jack to support the vehicle!
Locate the black metal oil pan and the silver metal oil drain bolt. The OEM canister style oil filter on this 2018 Equinox was a blue ACDelco UPG64R.
The oil filter is situated just in front of the black metal oil pan.
Loosen the oil drain bolt by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with a 15mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet.
(You may also be able to use a Torx T30 star bit socket.)
Be careful when you remove the oil drain bolt. The old oil might still be hot enough to burn your fingers.
Allow the old oil to drain out for at least a few minutes or until the flow slows down to just an occasional drop.
Inspect the metal washer or "gasket" on the oil drain bolt and replace it if necessary.
Spin in the drain bolt a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to prevent it from becoming cross threaded.
Tighten the oil drain bolt with the 15mm socket and the 3/8" drive ratchet to just a small fraction of a turn past hand tight.
If you have a torque wrench, the service manual specification for the oil drain bolt is 18 lb-ft of torque.
Twist off the old oil filter in the counterclockwise direction.
If you have trouble removing a stuck or stubborn old oil filter that was over tightened at the factory or a quick lube oil change shop, I highly recommend using a Lisle 63600 oil filter wrench.
It makes removing oil filters much easier than doing it by hand.
Allow the old oil to drain out from the filter receptacle for at least a minute or two.
Drain out the old oil from the filter and discard it.
Make sure that the rubber o-ring gasket from the old oil filter is not still attached to the engine.
Lubricating the rubber o-ring will help it form a better seal, prevent oil leaks and also make it easier to remove the filter during the next oil change.
Some mechanics prefer to fill the new oil filter with oil before installing it. This is an optional step that may or may not make a marginal difference in engine protection during the first engine start after an oil change.
Spin on the new oil filter in the clockwise direction.
Tighten it to about 1/2 to 1/3 turn past finger tight. Try to avoid over tightening the new oil filter to prevent from damaging the rubber gasket which could lead to an oil leak.
Double check that the drain bolt and the new oil filter are tight before moving on to the next steps.
If your Equinox has a FWD (front wheel drive) transmission, which is a "standard" feature, the oil capacity for an oil change with a filter replacement is 4.2 U.S. quarts (4.0L).
If your Equinox has the AWD (all wheel drive) transmission, which is an "optional" feature, the oil capacity is a larger amount of 5.3 U.S. quarts (5.0 liters).
This 2018 Equinox Premier has the standard FWD (front wheel drive) transmission.
Since it is far better to have slightly less oil than necessary in an engine than to overfill it, I recommend only pouring in about 75% to 90% of the total capacity.
Insert the automotive funnel into the oil filler port.
Slowly pour in the new SAE 0W-20 oil.
Temporarily replace the oil filler cap and push down the dipstick.
Turn off the ignition and allow the new oil to drain back down to the oil pan for at least ten to fifteen minutes.
(Although the owner's manual recommends having the engine off for at least two hours before checking the oil level.)
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean with a paper towel, fully re-insert it and pull it out again to check the oil level.
If necessary, slowly pour in more oil up to the total capacity specification and check the oil level again.
Once the oil level reaches the upper hole in the dipstick by the cross hatched area that indicates the "MAX" (maximum) or "FULL" line, replace the dipstick and secure the oil fill cap.
You may not need to pour in the entire amount of oil capacity specification to reach the full line depending on how long you allowed the old oil to drain out.
Avoid over filling the engine. Running an engine that has been overfilled with oil may cause sluggish performance, damage to seals or other components and possibly lead to oil leaks.
Double check that the oil fill cap is tight and the dipstick is securely in place.
To reset the "Engine Oil Life System", follow these steps: 1. With the engine off, toggle the "DIC" (driver information center) menu until you see the "Remaining Oil Life" screen. 2. Press and hold the "check" symbol button for a few seconds to reset the oil life. 3. You should see "Remaining Oil Life 100%" on the screen.
An alternative method to reset the oil life on some Chevrolet models is as follows: 1. Place the ignition in "Service Mode" by pressing and holding the "START" button for more than five seconds. 2. Change the "DIC" screen to the oil life display. 3. Fully press down and then release the accelerator (gas) pedal three times within five seconds. 4. The display should reset to 100% oil life.
Don't forget to record the oil change in your vehicle's service records.
(The standard oil change interval specification in the owner's manual is 7,500 miles or about 12,000 Km.)
It would also be a good idea to check your driveway, garage or parking spot for drops of fresh oil during the next few days which could indicate a leak from the oil filter or the drain bolt.
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