If that “check engine oil” light flips on your 2014 GMC Sierra 1500’s dashboard, you’ll need to know its engine oil capacity before you can even think about changing it yourself. For this make and model, both how much and what type of oil you need vary based on the size of the engine.

The only thing more satisfying than seeing that annoying oil pressure dashboard light turn off? Knowing that you did the work yourself—and saved some cash in the process. And

Jerry

, the driving expert and

car insurance

comparison tool, is here to teach you just how to do it. We'll even give you all the info you need to buy the right quantity and quality of motor oil.

Plus, before we wrap up, we’ll show you how to use our app's free tool to save some money on your

GMC Sierra 1500 insurance costs

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

2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Oil Capacity

How much oil your 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 needs depends on the kind of engine you’ve got under its hood. This specific model year of the Sierra 1500 has three different engine types: 4.3-liter V8, 5.3-liter V8, and 6.2-liter V8. Their engine oil capacities are as follows:

4.3-liter V8: 6 quarts (5.7 liters)

5.3-liter V8: 8.5 quarts (8 liters)

6.2-liter V8: 8.5 quarts (8 liters)

There are a lot of different numbers up here, and it’s easy to get the engine’s displacement mixed up with its oil capacity. The first figures measured in liters (in this case, 4.3, 5.3, amd 6.2) refer to the engine displacement—or the volume of space that the cylinders occupy in the engine. The engine oil capacity, on the other hand, is the amount of motor oil needed during a routine oil change.

These two figures are not interchangeable, so do your best to keep them straight!

MORE:

What do your car dashboard lights mean, and what should you do?

What kind of oil does a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 need?

Just like how the amount of engine oil you need for your 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 changes depending on the engine type, so does what kind of oil is best. Here’s a rundown of oil type by engine type:

4.3-liter V8: SAE 5W-30. Or, if you live in a colder environment with temperatures regularly below -20°F, you can use SAE 0W-30 oil

5.3-liter V8: SAE 0W-20

6.2-liter V8: SAE 0W-20

If you’re brand new to oil types, allow us to explain a little bit about what they mean. Basically, these oil types tell us about the oil’s viscosity, or thickness, under different temperature conditions. The W stands for winter, and the number right before it (in this case, 0 or 5) tells us that these oil types will flow well in 0°F temperatures.

Likewise, the 20 or 30 at the end indicates that the oil will flow well even at your engine’s blazing hot operating temperature of 212°F. SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, the entity that codes and grades oil viscosity.

For its vehicles,

GMC

recommends that in addition to looking for SAE-grade oil, you also keep an eye out for ones that are licensed to the dexos1 specification.

ACDelco Fully Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil

ACDelco Fully Synthetic SAE 0W-20 Motor Oil

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2014 GMC Sierra

Thankfully, the guidelines for how often to change your oil are a little more straightforward. If you’re using conventional oil, you should aim to change it every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Or, if you opt for synthetic oil, you can go a little longer without an oil change and only swap it out every 7,000 to 10,000 miles.

Still, these are pretty wide ranges. If you notice any of the following signs, you should probably get your oil changed regardless of when you last had it done:

Motor oil that needs changing is dark brown or black

Motor oil feels coarse or gritty

Unfamiliar noises coming from the engine

New smells, especially anything that smells like oil, smoke, or burning

Changes in your vehicle’s performance

MORE:

Are GMCs expensive to maintain?

Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds

Find Savings!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

How to change your oil and filter

Ready to roll up your sleeves and

change your oil

? Here’s what you’ll need:

15 mm socket wrench

Filter wrench

Motor oil (type and amount varies on engine type)

Drain pan

Replacement filter

Funnel

Gloves

Safety goggles

Once you’ve got all your supplies ready, start off by running your engine for about five to ten minutes so it can reach its normal operating temperature. After that, turn your engine off and complete the following steps:

Go underneath your truck and place the drain pan beneath the oil drain plug

Using your socket wrench, remove the drain plug and allow the old oil to drain out into the pan

Once all the old oil is out, reinstall the drain plug and tighten it to 20 lb-ft

Reposition the drain pan so it is beneath the oil filter and remove the filter with the filter wrench

Allow the old oil to drain out of the old filter and into the drain pan

Add a splash of motor oil to your new oil filter and reattach it to your vehicle by hand. It’s also a good idea to lubricate the rubber O-ring washer with a little oil as well so it seals better to your vehicle.

Open the hood of your car and remove the oil fill cap

Position your funnel into the mouth of the oil reservoir and pour your new motor oil into your engine

Replace the oil fill cap

Run the engine for a couple of minutes to check for any leaks

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

But we’re quite done yet! It’s time to clean up. Don’t just dump your old oil down any drain or toss it into your garbage can. Pour it into a sealed container and bring it to your local recycling center so it can be disposed of properly.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Knowing how to change your oil and stocking up on the right supplies to do it is the money-saving gift that keeps on giving. As is shopping for your

car insurance

policy with

Jerry

The savings keep coming even after Jerry finds you great insurance at the lowest price. Before every policy renewal period, you’ll be presented with new competitive quotes, which means you’ll always have the best coverage at the best price. If you want to switch policies, that’s fine! Jerry can help cancel your old policy.

“I can’t thank the
Jerry
app enough! They saved me $160 a month, and I didn’t even have to talk over the phone. They took care of everything through text.” —Travis Y.

RECOMMENDED