The three-row 2012 Buick Enclave crossover SUV is perfect for families. It offers all of the functionality of a minivan, but it’s still stylish and well-equipped. If you’re on a budget, changing your oil at home is a great way to lower your Buick ownership costs. But you’ll need to know the engine oil capacity—which is 6 quarts.

When you think “luxury vehicle,” you might think you need to have your

routine maintenance

performed at a dealership—but there’s no shame in cutting your costs by performing some DIY services. And keeping up with your oil changes could even help you save big on

car repairs

in the future. Of course, you need to know exactly how to go about those services first.

When it comes to changing your Enclave’s oil, the first step is knowing your oil capacity. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered—complete with extra information regarding the oil type, as well as all of the other tools you’ll need to get the job done. Let’s dive in.

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2012 Buick Enclave engine oil capacity

Here’s the big question: how much oil goes in a 2012 Buick Enclave?

The ‘12 Enclave is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that has an oil capacity of 6 quarts—or about 5.7 liters.

But how can a 3.6-liter engine hold 5.7 liters of oil? Let us explain. The 3.6-liter label refers to your engine’s displacement—or how much oil is taken up by the cylinders while the engine is working. Your oil capacity articulates how much oil will be needed for each change. The two numbers are never interchangeable.

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What kind of oil does a 2012 Buick Enclave need?

Don’t just run off and buy 6 quarts of the first oil you see on the shelf.

Your 2012 Buick Enclave requires SAE full synthetic 5W-30 motor oil for optimal engine performance, per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

If you didn’t know that all engine oils aren’t created equal, don’t worry—we can explain.

First off, SAE stands for “Society of Automotive Engineers,” which is simply the organization that reviews oils and assigns grades. In this case, the assigned grade is 0W-20.

The numbers in the grade refer to the oil’s viscosity, or thickness. Because your oil’s viscosity will vary at different temperatures, this is indicated in the grade. “W” stands for “winter,” and the number preceding the “W” indicates the viscosity at low temps, while the number after the “W” indicates the viscosity at high heat.

Finally, you’ll want to opt for full synthetic oil, which contains fewer impurities compared to conventional oil.

Buick specifically recommends Mobil 1 - Advanced Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil, but you’re welcome to opt for whatever brand you think is best—as long as you choose the proper grade.

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How often to change oil on a 2012 Buick Enclave

Are you ready to

change your oil

? How do you know?

Experts recommend changing full synthetic oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

If you ever take the cheaper route and use conventional oil instead, make sure you still get the same exact grade, and change your oil more often—every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

That leaves a pretty big window, so to make sure you’re changing the oil at the right time, check your oil level on a regular basis (e.g. once a month or every other refuel). Look out for the following signs that your oil needs to be changed:

It appears dark brown or black (it should be light brown or amber, like a cup of tea. Dirty oil is darker, like a cup of soda.)

It feels coarse or gritty

There are unfamiliar noises coming from the engine

You notice new smells, especially anything that smells like oil, smoke, or burning

There are changes in your vehicle’s performance

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How to change your oil and oil filter

When shopping for oil, don’t forget to purchase a replacement filter for your vehicle. You’ll also need a few tools, including a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench designed to remove the old oil filter.

And then it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get started. First, run the engine for a while, until it reaches normal operating temperature. In warm temperatures, this should take just about five minutes. Then, turn the engine off, open the hood, and follow these steps:

Remove the oil fill cap

Get underneath the engine and remove the oil drain bolt and washer, draining the old oil into the drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and continue to let the oil drain

Install the new filter

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

Refill the engine with your new oil and replace the fill cap

Turn your car on and let it warm up for about 30 seconds, which will allow the new oil to fill the filter. Use your dipstick to make sure that you’ve added enough oil to the engine, and top it off if necessary.

Once you’re done, run the vehicle for a few minutes and watch for any leaks. If you’ve done everything right, your dashboard’s

oil pressure light

should turn off.

Finally, remember to clean up responsibly. Seal your dirty oil in a container and dispose of it at an appropriate recycling center. Never dump it in the trash or on the ground.

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