The 2012 GMC Acadia’s V-6 engine provides a smooth, steady, and reliable ride, but to keep this SUV hitting the roads with everything it has to offer, you’ll need to know its engine oil capacity.

Whether you’ve hit the 7,000-mile benchmark or you’re experiencing the tell-tale symptoms of dirty oil, knowing how to change your engine oil yourself will save you from paying for a mechanic’s labor and from maintenance problems down the road. Before you get your hands dirty, you’ll need to know the oil capacity of your vehicle.

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide to 2012 GMC Acadia oil capacity, we’ll run through everything you need to know about your engine’s oil and the steps to change it. As a bonus, we’ll show you how to save money and time on

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2012 GMC Acadia engine oil capacity

Let’s get right to it: just how much engine oil does a 2012 GMC Acadia need?

The engine in a 2012 GMC Acadia has an oil capacity of 6 quarts or 5.7 liters. Keep in mind that this number is not to be used interchangeably with the 3.6-liter volume of your engine’s cylinders. While that number refers to your engine’s displacement—your oil capacity is the amount of oil your GMC needs each time it gets an oil change.

What kind of oil does a 2012 GMC Acadia need?

Now that you know how much oil you’ll need, it’s time to find out the correct kind of oil for your Acadia. That’s right—your engine doesn’t just have specifications regarding volume. Your GMC also needs a specific type of oil to function optimally. According to GMC manufacturers, SAE 5W-30 engine oil is the key to your vehicle’s heart.

So what do all those numbers and letters mean, exactly? While the oil grade can look complex to the unfamiliar eye, it can be broken down pretty easily. SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, AKA the entity that codes each oil grade. The numbers in the oil grade refer to the oil’s viscosity at different temperatures, while the “W” stands for winter.

Low viscosity ratings tell us that oil will perform well in colder temperatures and that the oil won’t wear out your engine. In other words, the 5 preceding the “W” indicates that the oil will flow easily at 0°F, while the 20 indicates that it’ll also have a relatively low viscosity at 212°F.

The genuine article: Stick to what the experts and owner's manual both recommend and try this

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Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change oil on a 2012 GMC Acadia

Now that you’re an expert on oil capacity and oil type, how do you know when you actually need to

change your oil

In general, it’s recommended that you change the oil in your GMC Acadia every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. However, if you’ve opted for synthetic oil, you won’t need an oil change for a good 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

If your GMC isn’t getting driven very frequently, having your oil changed every six months should be sufficient to keep your car running smoothly. If you notice any of the following symptoms, though, you’ll need to get your oil changed sooner:

Darkly colored oil

Motor oil feels coarse or gritty

Loud noises

or burning smells coming from the engine

Poor vehicle performance

Check engine light

is on

MORE:

How to check and decode a GMC VIN

How to change your oil and oil filter

If it’s time to change your oil and you’d like to skip the costs of a mechanic’s labor, you can change your oil and filter yourself in a few simple steps. First, you’ll need to gather your materials:

A socket wrench

A drain pain

A filter wrench

A replacement filter

6 quarts of 5W-30 synthetic oil

Next, let your engine run until it reaches a normal operating temperature. After a few minutes, you can turn the engine off, open the hood, and locate and remove the oil fill cap.

Have your drain pan at the ready and get underneath the engine to remove the oil drain bolt and washer. Let the old oil drain into the pan.

Once the oil has drained, you can remove the old

oil filter

, install the new one, and replace the drain bolt and washer. You can now fill the engine with the new oil. Using a dipstick, check that you’ve filled it to the appropriate level. If everything looks good, you can replace the oil cap.

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary

As a final check, run your Acadia for a few minutes to ensure the engine’s running smoothly and that there are no leaks. Your dashboard’s

oil pressure light

should turn off. Before you take off, make sure to properly clean up and dispose of the old oil at a recycling center.

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