2012 Cadillac SRX Oil Capacity

The 2012 Cadillac SRX has an engine oil capacity of exactly 6 quarts (approximately 5.7 liters) and uses SAE 5W-30 motor oil.
Written by Andrew Biro
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
A 2012 Cadillac SRX has a total engine oil capacity of 6 quarts, or roughly 5.7 liters, and needs full-synthetic 5W-30 motor oil.
Regular oil changes are one of the simplest ways to keep your Cadillac's engine in good working order—but paying someone else to do it for you can quickly add up. Fortunately, replacing your own engine oil is one of the simplest aspects of car maintenance and may save you hundreds of dollars per year on car-related expenses.
Before you can perform a successful oil change, however, it’s a good idea to know how much oil will actually fill the reservoir—that’s why
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2012 Cadillac SRX engine oil capacity

You should be aware of your Cadillac's oil capacity as a safety precaution to prevent overfilling or underfilling the oil reservoir—the total oil capacity of the 3.6L V6 engine in a 2012 Cadillac SRX is 6 quarts or roughly 5.7 liters.
As you can see, this number and the engine's displacement—or the 3.6L space that its cylinders occupy—are not the same, and adding only three liters of oil can cause serious damage to your engine.

What kind of oil does the 2012 Cadillac SRX need?

Your 2012 Cadillac SRX requires full synthetic motor oil with a 5W-30 rating in order to function properly. This rating offers important details about the oil's viscosity at various temperatures.
The first number (in this case, "5") represents the oil's winter rating, or how it handles extremely cold temperatures—the lower the number, the lower the viscosity will be.
On the other hand, the "30" indicates how the oil reacts when exposed to extremely high temperatures of at least 212°F, or the normal operating temperature of an engine. Any oil with a "30" rating will still be quite thin even at these extremely high temperatures.
Try one of the suggestions below if you need assistance choosing a brand of 5W-30-rated oil:
  • What’s recommended: Castrol - EDGE® 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil
  • Second-best: Mobil 1 - Truck & SUV 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil
  • For older vehicles with more miles on them: Mobil 1 High Mileage Engine Oil Full Synthetic 5W-30

How often to change the oil on a 2012 Cadillac SRX

For optimum engine performance, Cadillac recommends changing your motor oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, or roughly twice a year.
Of course, this is based on normal driving circumstances, so if you drive more often than the average person, regularly take short trips, or routinely use dirt roads, you may need to replace your oil more frequently.
To reduce the possibility of unintentionally damaging your engine, check your oil once or twice a month before reaching the suggested intervals.
Here are a few warning signs to watch out for that might suggest your oil needs to be changed sooner, such as: 
  • Your oil has a grainy or gritty texture
  • Your oil is no longer amber, but rather a dark brown or black color
  • Your Cadillac's performance deteriorates noticeably
  • The engine has a smoky, greasy, or burning odor
  • The engine begins to produce
    strange noises
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How to change your oil and oil filter

If you choose to perform your own oil and oil filter change at home, you will need an oil drain pan, a socket wrench, and a filter wrench. It goes without saying that you'll also need six quarts of full-synthetic 5W-30 motor oil and a new filter.
After making sure you have everything you need, start your car by turning the key, and then wait a while as it runs until the engine reaches normal operating temperatures. This shouldn't take more than four to five minutes under normal circumstances.
As soon as the engine reaches the correct temperature, turn it off, open the hood, and do the following:
  1. Find the oil reservoir and take the cap off
  2. Put your drain pan right below the drain hole in the oil reservoir. With the socket wrench, you can take off the drain bolt and washer. Pour the oil into the pan
  3. While you wait for the oil to drain completely, use the filter wrench to take off the old
    oil filter
  4. Change the oil filter
  5. After all the oil has been drained, replace the bolt and put on a new washer. Check your owner's manual to find out how tight it should be
  6. Fill your engine with clean oil and replace the oil cap
To make sure you filled the reservoir with enough oil, use a dipstick to check the level. Start your car and let it run for a while if the level is good, and then check for leaks after the engine has warmed up. If you carefully follow these instructions, the oil pressure/warning light on the dashboard of your Cadillac should turn off automatically.
Finally, make sure to properly dispose of used engine oil—never pour used oil on the ground or in the trash. Instead, put it in a lidded container and move it to a recycling center or a participating auto parts retailer.
MORE: Cadillac SRX V6

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