2011 GMC Acadia Engine Oil Capacity

The 2011 GMC Acadia has an oil capacity of 5.5 quarts. For more details about your oil change, click here.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The 2011 GMC Acadia has an engine oil capacity of 5.5 quarts. Before you can change its oil, though, there are a few more things that you’ll need to know. 
No one likes spending money on basic car maintenance like oil changes—and you don’t have to! If you know the engine oil capacity for your 2011 GMC Acadia and the type of oil it uses, you’ll be able to change your own oil. 
To walk you through your first oil change,
Jerry
, the super app for
car insurance
savings, has created this quick guide on the 2011 GMC Acadia’s engine oil capacity. We’ll go over how to change your oil, what type of oil to use, how often to replace your oil, and even how you can save money on your
GMC Acadia car insurance cost
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

2011 GMC Acadia engine oil capacity

Every engine has a different motor oil capacity. It’s important that you keep your engine full (or reasonably close to full) on oil whenever you operate it—otherwise, you could have overheating issues. 
The 2011 GMC Acadia has an engine oil capacity of 5.5 quarts. Whenever you change the oil, make sure to add precisely that amount. Too much oil can be as damaging to your engine as not enough! 

What kind of oil does a 2011 GMC Acadia need?

Now you know how much oil your Acadia needs—but you still need to know what type of oil it uses. Not all motor oils are the same. There are a lot of different kinds, and each kind has a different viscosity level
Viscosity is a measure of how thick an oil is. For your 2011 GMC Acadia, you’ll need fully-synthetic motor oil with a viscosity rating of 5W-30
The two numbers in a viscosity rating refer to the oil’s thickness at different temperatures. 5W means that the oil has a viscosity level of 5 at “winter temperature”, which is 0°F. The 30 means that it has a viscosity level of 30 at normal operating temperature, which is 212°F
You can use most brands of motor oil as long as the oil is high-quality and meets the correct viscosity rating. Below, you’ll find a few of the best options available. 

How often to change the oil in a 2011 GMC Acadia

Now that you know what type and quantity of motor oil to use for your 2011 GMC Acadia, it’s time to figure out when you’ll need your next oil change. 
You should only need to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first. That being said, you might encounter issues from time to time that requires more frequent oil changes
Keep an eye out for the common oil-related problems listed below. If you ever notice any, you’ll want to change your oil as soon as possible.
  • Your
    GMC
    ’s engine is producing new or strange smells
  • There are unfamiliar noises emanating from the engine bay
  • The motor oil has turned black (or very dark brown) instead of the original amber color
  • The oil has visible contaminants in it or feels coarse between your fingers 

How to change your oil and oil filter

Changing the oil in your 2011 GMC Acadia is easier than you might think. You’ll just need a few
essential car tools and supplies
(fresh oil/oil filter, a drain pan, a filter wrench, a socket wrench, and a rag) and about half an hour of spare time. 
When you’re ready to change your oil, just follow these steps: 
  • Run the engine for about 10 minutes so that the engine and oil can warm up. Then, shut off the engine
  • Under the hood, locate and remove the oil fill cap.
  • From underneath the engine, locate and remove the oil drain bolt—just make sure that you have the drain pan positioned to catch the oil, which will begin gushing out.
  • While you’re waiting for the old oil to drain, use the filter wrench to remove the old oil filter. Once the draining is complete, install the new filter. Then, reattach the oil drain bolt.
  • Refill the engine’s oil using your fresh motor oil and then reattach the oil fill cap.
And just like that, you’ve changed your oil! Don’t forget to properly dispose of the old oil in accordance with the law—that means pouring it into a sealable container and delivering it to a nearby recycling center. 

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Once you’ve finished up in the garage, it’s time to head inside and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation! Just because you’re kicking back on the couch, though, doesn’t mean that you can’t still be working to
save more money on your car expenses
.
All you’ll need to do is download
Jerry
—the
trustworthy insurance comparison app
and policy shopping extraordinaire! 
In just 45 seconds, Jerry will take the details of your current car insurance policy and get to work finding you the best deals. You’ll get to keep your same coverage (or adjust it) and save money. 
With the tap of a button, you can choose your new policy, and Jerry will get to work having your coverage switched over! 
Jerry
is the future of car insurance! I downloaded the app, entered the information, picked my insurance rate, and paid my fee. I even switched insurance providers easily! Jerry saved me $182/month so quickly!” —Paulina F.
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
Try GarageGuard™

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings