The 2017 GMC Terrain has an engine oil capacity of 5 quarts on the 2.5-liter engine and 6 quarts on the 3.6-liter engine.
Owning a car comes with maintenance costs, but you can save a pretty penny by doing oil changes yourself. Before you head to the garage, check your GMC Terrain’s owner’s manual or this helpful guide to learn how much and what type of oil to get. We’ll even include a quick oil change how-to if it’s been a while!
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There are two things you need to know before buying motor oil—what type to get and how much you need. Let’s jump right into capacity.
The 2017 GMC Terrain has two drivetrain options. Here’s how much oil the Terrain needs depending on the engine:
2.5-liter four-cylinder engine: 5 quarts or 4.7 liters
3.6-liter six-cylinder engine: 6 quarts or 5.7 liters
When you shop, realize that the 2.5- or 3.6-liter measurement at the beginning of the engine type is the engine displacement
. This is the volume its cylinders take up—it’s not the same as oil capacity, so don’t confuse the two. What kind of oil does a 2017 GMC Terrain need?
Now that you know how much oil to get, figure out the correct type. GMC
advises buying their specially developed fully synthetic oil called Dexos. As you shop, you’ll see several different brands produce Dexos synthetic oil. As long as you purchase SAE 5W-30 motor oil, it will work in your Terrain. GMC also notes that if you live in an extremely cold environment where the temperatures drop to −20 °F (−29 °C), use 0W-30 oil, so your engine starts easier.
How to read oil specifications
The oil specs are actually pretty simple, they describe the oil’s viscosity or thickness. Let’s decipher what “SAE 5W-30” means!
SAE stands for “Society of Automotive Engineers” and you’ll notice that just about every motor oil has this on the label. “W” stands for winter, and the number 5 shows that the oil won’t thicken even at 0°F. The number 30 tells you the oil stays thin when the engine temperature climbs over 212°F.
How often to change oil on a 2017 GMC Terrain
GMC makes it really easy to tell when your SUV needs an oil change. The Terrain is equipped with an engine oil life system. This sophisticated computer system tracks how many revolutions the engine has performed, its temperature, and how many miles you’ve put on the vehicle.
When the system detects that the oil is ready for a change, you’ll see Change Engine Oil Soon appear on the dash. Plan on changing the oil as soon as possible or at least within 600 miles of the light coming on.
If your Terrain’s engine oil life system gets reset and you don’t think it’s accurate, change the oil within 3,000 miles of your last oil change. It’s also a good idea to check the oil at least once a month or every other time you refuel. Look for the following signs that it’s time for new oil:
The motor oil looks dark brown or black instead of pale or light brown
The oil feels coarse or sandy when you rub it between your fingers
You hear strange noises coming from the engine
You smell oil, smoke, or burning
You realize the Terrain drives and handles differently
MORE: How much does an oil change cost?
How to change your oil and oil filter
Whether the oil change system light came on or you noticed signs that the oil is getting old, it’s time to change the oil on your Terrain. Here’s what you’ll need: a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench (which makes it easier to remove the old oil filter). Don’t forget to buy the correct synthetic oil and a replacement filter.
Start by running the engine just until it reaches normal operating temperature. This typically takes about five minutes. Turn off the engine, pop the hood, and follow these steps:
Unscrew the oil fill cap and put it aside (where you won’t lose it)
Slide underneath the SUV and put a drain pan underneath the engine. Remove the oil drain bolt and washer, so the oil drains.
Remove the old oil filter and continue to drain the oil
Swap out the oil drain bolt with a new washer and tighten it
Pour new oil into the engine and screw on the oil fill cap
Turn on the engine and let it run for 30 seconds so the filter begins to absorb some of the new oil. Switch off the engine and check the dipstick to see if you need to add more engine oil. Run the engine for a couple more minutes and watch for leaks.
Although the oil pressure light
automatically resets after an oil change on many vehicles, it doesn’t on the Terrain. You’ve got to reset the engine oil life system manually, but it’s a snap! To reset the system, turn the ignition to ON/RUN, but keep the engine off. Then, press down and release the accelerator pedal three times in five seconds. That’s it! The last step: clean-up. Do not pour the old oil out on the ground or throw it in your regular garbage bin. Instead, pour it into a sealed container and take it to your local recycling center.
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