Chevy Traverse Oil Type & Change Guide for Peak Engine Performance

Chevy Traverse is an all-purpose vehicle that accommodates adventure seekers and families. One of the most significant service requirements that help your Chevy Traverse run well is to change the oil frequently. Oil keeps the engine lubricated, reduces wear, and enables an engine to perform at its best. In this article, we are going to talk about the recommended Chevy Traverse oil type, how often it should be replaced, and how to take care of the engine of your vehicle.

Chevy Traverse Oil Type Suggestions

For the majority of the Chevy Traverse models, 5W-30 full synthetic oil is the right oil. This oil ensures maximum performance in terms of temperature variance and driving conditions. It is a great insurance against engine wear, contributes towards keeping your fuel consumption in check, and increases the lifespan of your vehicle.

Why is Full Synthetic Oil Preferred?

You may ask why the use of synthetic color Chevy Traverse oil type is preferred over conventional oils. Full synthetic oil has several benefits, particularly to such modern car engines as the one in the Chevy Traverse:

Improved Performance in High Temperatures
Longer Oil Change Intervals
Engine Protection

What is the Fuel Requirement of the Chevy Traverse?

The Chevy Traverse oil type varies with the model year and the type of engine. Other models, especially the newer ones, might differ in oil capacities, and thus, you should read the owner’s manual before you change the oil.

2020-2025 Chevy Traverse Oil Capacity:

Engine Type: 3.6 Lit V6
Oil Capacity: It is about 6 quarts (5.7 liters)

Make sure to check the manual for the exact capacity of your model. Once an oil change is done, you should use the dipstick to see the level of oil to make sure that the right amount of oil has been added.

When Should You Change the Oil in Your Chevy Traverse?

Knowing when to change the oil is as essential. Engine buildup and smooth running of the engine can be prevented by engine oil changes at regular intervals.

Recommended Oil Change Interval:

Chevrolet advises an oil change every 7,500 miles or 12 months, the shortest period. Nevertheless, some driving conditions can result in changing the oil more often:

A lot of stop-and-go driving (such as going to the city)
Towing heavy loads
Driving in extreme weather (hot or cold)

Under such conditions, it may be worth trying to change your oil more often, e.g., every 5000 miles or 6 months.

Oil Problem Indicators:

As recommended, the usual time for an oil change is recommended, but chances are that your Traverse may give you indications that it is time to change the oil. These may be:

The oil change light on the dashboard
Rough engine performance
Uncleaned or dark oil in the dipstick

When you see any of the symptoms, you should change the oil immediately.

How to Change the Oil in Your Chevy Traverse

Oil change is an easy task that you can perform yourself with the help of some specialized instruments and a little knowledge. The following is how to go about changing the oil of your Chevy Traverse:

Here is the list of tools you will require:

Socket wrench (with a suitable size socket on the drain plug)
Oil filter wrench (to get out the old oil filter)
Oil catch pan (to siphon the old oil)
New oil filter (you should verify this is the correct type of filter to use on your Traverse as well)
Synthetic oil -5W-30 (a minimum of 6 quarts)
Funnel (to add oil)
Rags and gloves (to clean up)

Steps to Change the Oil

Here is the step-by-step guide to the Chevy Traverse oil type change:

Prepare the Vehicle:

Ensure that your Chevy is on a flat surface.
Shut the engine and wait 10 minutes before it cools.
Put wheel chocks in place behind wheels, and bumpers and engagement of the parking brake are also advisable.

Lift the Car:

Raise the vehicle with a jack when necessary, in front, so that it can be jacked up with jack stands. Make the vehicle steady and then drive.

Drain the old Oil:

Put the oil catch pan underneath the plug of the oil drain.
Loosen and remove the drain plug using a socket wrench.
Allow the oil to run down fully into a 10-15 minute window.

Change/Replace Oil Filter:

With the help of a supply of the oil filter wrench, eliminate the worn-out oil filter.

A small measure of the new oil should be used to lubricate the rubber gasket of the new oil filter and the new filter should be fitted by hand, but it has to be snugly fitted.

Reinstall the Drain Plug:

When the oil is completely drained, remove the drain plug and replace it with a new one (as required), and turn it back into position.

Add New Oil:

Open the top of the engine with the oil fill cap.
The new oil can be poured into, a funnel being used. Use the dipstick to measure the level of oil so as to ensure overfilling.
Put in the oil filler cap and remove any spills of oil.

Turn on the Engine:

Crank the engine and keep the engine running around a few minutes to circulate the oil. Look at whether the oil filter and drain plug have any leaks.

Dispose of Used Oil:

Bring the old oil and the filter to a recycling center or an auto parts place that recycles used oil and has it disposed of properly.

How to Choose the Right Oil Filter for the Chevy Traverse

You probably have heard about the oil change and Chevy Traverse oil type, where the oil filter plays a decisive role in it. It assists in ensuring the engine does not get contaminants as it cleans out all the dirt and debris present in the oil.

The oil filter you purchase to change the oil in your Chevy Traverse must be of high quality and one that matches the demands of the manufacturer. You may opt for OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) filters or high-quality replacement aftermarket filters (AC Delco, Mobil 1, or K&N).

What is the size of an oil filter used on a Chevy Traverse?

The size of the oil filter of the Chevy Traverse is standard, and the part number AC Delco PF63E is the most popular one. The filter number of your model year should be checked.

Pitfalls of Common Oil Change

You should not make mistakes while changing oil; otherwise, it can result in a disaster for the engine or inefficient oil changes.

The wrong Chevy Traverse oil type: Never use the wrong kind of oil; check the owner’s manual to know the right type of oil. The wrong oil may lead to bad engine performance.
Failure to change the oil filter: The oil filter cannot be left out during an oil change. Somehow, a clogged or aged filter can lead to inefficient running of the engine.
Overfilling or underfilling the oil: Fill the oil carefully, and check the oil level should be done through the dipstick. An excess of oil may damage the engines, whereas a lack of oil causes inappropriate lubrication.

Tips for Maintaining Your Chevy Traverse Engine

Here are some additional tips for maintaining your Chevy Traverse engine:

Periodic oil inspection: It is also necessary to check the level of the oil regularly by using the dipstick. It is important to observe the level of oil to avoid serious issues with the engine.
Drive Safely: You can drive in a harsh environment, which could be due to extreme temperatures or pulling heavy loads, which should be considered more frequently, owing to changes in oil.
Keep to the Schedule: A long-time rule of thumb when changing oil is that the replacement should be made every 7,500 miles or after 12 months, as suggested by the manufacturer, to keep the engine properly lubricated and going smoothly.

Conclusion

Regular oil change is an important part of the whole process of maintaining your Chevy Traverse. Make sure you use the right Chevy Traverse oil type, change the oil, and run the oil filter regularly. With the above indications, you will be able to maintain your Chevy Traverse with high performance in the upcoming years.