Chevy Equinox Makes Oil Changes Easier Than Ever

The Chevy Equinox has long been a favorite among drivers, combining the roominess and functionality of an SUV with the peppy, responsive ride that only a crossover can deliver. That’s not entirely unique within the sector, but the Equinox pulls it off better than most, giving drivers the best of both worlds while also turning some heads thanks to its sleek, modern styling. The Equinox also gets marks for its reliability, with an annual repair cost that’s well below the industry average, ensuring you won’t face any unexpected surprises down the road. When you leave DePaula Chevrolet, your NY Chevy Equinox dealer, in your new SUV, you can expect it to last for a long time to come. But just what does it take to ensure you see that odometer roll over to the big 200,000? In a word: oil.

When to Change Your Oil

While you still might be able to hear your dad’s voice in the back of your head telling you that the sky will fall if you don’t change the oil every 3,000 miles, certain life lessons become a little outdated over time. Thanks to the modern lubricants used in today’s motor oil, many vehicles can go 5,000 or even 7,500 miles between oil changes, but the Chevy Equinox takes it one step further: it simply tells you when it’s time to change the oil.

The vehicle uses a sophisticated Engine Oil Life System to determine when it’s time to do the deed. This complex system not only tracks the vehicle’s mileage since the last oil change but also takes into account a number of other factors, including engine revolutions and temperature. There are a number of advantages to this “smart” oil life system, which customizes the timeline based on real-time driving data, not a one-size-fits-all recommendation from the manual.

When the Equinox’s engine oil life system determines that it’s time for a change, a message reading “Change Engine Oil Soon” will be displayed on the SUV’s dashboard. This isn’t an emergency by any means, but Chevy does recommend completing the oil change within 600 miles of when the message is first displayed. If you’re worried that the system might be malfunctioning, just be patient: according to the manual, the oil change message might not be displayed for as long as a year under certain driving conditions. Get an oil change at your earliest convenience (don’t forget to change the oil filter at the same time), and then reset the engine oil life system by following the steps.

Use the arrows on the steering wheel to navigate through the Equinox’s instrument cluster, known as the Driver Information Center (DIC), to the Vehicle Information Menu option. Click on this heading and use the arrows until “Remaining Oil Life” is displayed on the DIC. Press and hold the checkmark button for several seconds, letting go when the displayed message changes to “Remaining Oil Life 100%” is displayed on the screen. If you forget to reset the system after an oil change, it is recommended to play it safe and get your next oil change after 3,000 miles. If you get your oil changed here at DePaula Chevrolet, we will automatically reset the system for you.

Why Do You Need to Change Oil?

Aside from gasoline, there’s no fluid more vital to your vehicle’s continued performance than motor oil. How vital? Well, according to some estimates, an engine without oil will only be able to run for 30 minutes at the most before failing catastrophically. Even if run for less than 30 minutes, irreparable damage could take place as fast-moving engine parts start to warp due to excessive friction and heat. Motor oil is essential in lubricating these sensitive––and expensive––components within your engine, so it’s always best to play it safe. Aside from these types of catastrophic failures, there are a number of other reasons why it’s important to follow a regular oil change schedule.

Performance – As we mentioned above, engine oil plays a huge role in lubricating engine components and reducing friction and heat, but this isn’t the only way that regular oil changes can increase a vehicle’s performance. Motor oil also helps rid the engine of the contaminants like dirt, fuel, and metal engine particles that wear off over the course of a vehicle’s life. It’s important to keep your oil at the recommended level, but just as important to change it out regularly. When exposed to the high temperatures found within the engine, oil breaks down over time and becomes less effective. Older oil loses some of its viscosity and can’t cling to engine cylinder walls like it once could, meaning they won’t be adequately lubricated. It’s also less effective at dissipating heat, which is never good news when it comes to engines.

Emissions – Any vehicle with an internal combustion engine is going to produce some emissions, but the issues can become a whole lot worse when you’re using old, dirty oil. As this oil begins to wear down, it starts to release hydrocarbons, which build up inside the engine’s crankcase before passing through the exhaust system and into the atmosphere. New York is one of the 34 U.S. states that requires an emissions test as part of the vehicle inspection process, so fresh oil could mean the difference between passing the inspection and coming back for another try.

Fuel Economy – When it comes to engine performance, it’s all about reducing friction. The less resistance between the moving parts within the engine, the more power that gets translated into the pure RPMs that keep you moving down the road. For example, when properly maintained, the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine in your Chevy Equinox is rated for 28 MPG combined, but that number might be tough to hit if you’re driving with dirty oil. The type of oil you’re using can also have an effect on fuel economy, with some studies suggesting that using the wrong grade of oil can lower gas mileage by as much as two percent. Chevy recommends using a 0W-20 viscosity grade motor oil 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine and 5W-30 for the 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine.

Engine Life – If you want to keep your engine purring along for as long as possible, regular oil changes are key. At this point, you have learned enough about how oil affects engine performance to understand why it’s so important in extending a vehicle’s service life, but just to reiterate: dirty oil simply doesn’t do a good job lubricating engine components to prevent serious damage. With its ability to reduce extreme temperatures and create a barrier between fast-moving engine parts, fresh motor oil won’t only reduce the day-to-day cost of operating a vehicle by improving performance but can also help to prevent some of the big-ticket repairs that we all dread.

Tips For Changing Oil

When it comes to when, why, and how to change the oil on your Chevy Equinox, there are a few tricks that could make your life a whole lot easier. From pouring over the manual and checking the oil manually to what types of oil to use and which additives to avoid, as your Chevy Equinox dealer, we’ll share some insider tips that are all too easy to overlook.

Read the Manual – It’s important to follow the maintenance schedule from Day 1, not just when your vehicle starts experiencing problems. If regular service is neglected for too long, no amount of maintenance is going to make up for that long period of neglect. The owner’s manual accompanying your Chevy Equinox offers a comprehensive maintenance schedule that could go a long way in limiting expensive, inconvenient problems down the road, so take some time to review the literature before you find yourself in the breakdown lane.

Checking Oil – The Equinox’s Engine Oil Life System is a great failsafe, but it’s no substitute for regularly checking your oil. This is one of the easiest tasks you’ll ever complete on your vehicle but is too often neglected by drivers who only ever think to check the oil when something goes awry. Ideally, the engine’s oil levels should be checked every 400 miles and especially before any extended road trip that could put an unprecedented burden on the engine. Regularly checking your oil also gives you a good excuse to get familiar with how things are going under the hood, potentially allowing you to spot minor issues like worn belts, missing fluid caps, and battery corrosion before they grow into big-ticket repairs. We won’t go over the specifics of checking oil here but should mention something unique to the Equinox’s Engine Oil Life System: if the system alerts you to low oil, but the oil level seems to be adequate upon further inspection, the vehicle should be taken to our service center for service. Also, remember to let the engine cool down before checking the oil, as it’ll give you a more accurate reading.

Cold Weather – In extreme temperatures, viscous liquids like motor oil can start to get a little wonky. When the thermometer gets a little too high, oil can become too thin to provide adequate coverage and protection. Inversely, cold temperatures can cause the oil to thicken, becoming too viscous to flow where it’s needed. By “cold,” we’re not talking 32°F or even 0°F, but more along the lines of -20°F. It doesn’t get cold enough during winters here in New York to switch to Chevy’s recommended 0W-40 cold temperature oil.

Oil Additives/Flushes – Chevy doesn’t recommend adding any additives to the engine oil on the Equinox. While such additives can help reduce friction and engine wear, they’re not necessary as long as you always remember to use the correct oil. The Equinox requires a full-synthetic oil that meets the stringent dexos1 specifications, so make sure to always keep an eye out for the dexos1 logo when you’re shopping for oil. This type of oil, approved by GM for use on many of its vehicles, has been extensively tested and provides long-lasting protection that’ll keep your Equinox humming along for years to come––which is why we use it in all the oil changes we perform here at DePaula Chevrolet. Similarly, Chevy advises against using any engine oil system flushes––aftermarket additives that remove deposits or sludge and other grime from your engine––as such products can result in long-term engine damage.

An Oil Change Goes a Long Way

With a little TLC, your Chevy Equinox will keep you riding in style for years to come. This dependable SUV is made for the long haul, but that’s no excuse for skimping on the recommended maintenance schedule. Thankfully when it comes to oil changes, the Equinox has your back, with its built-in Engine Oil Life System ensuring you never miss an oil change. This advanced technology, with its ability to monitor a variety of real-world conditions aside from simple mileage, goes a long way in improving the SUV’s longevity. This not only makes for a better driving experience but can make all the difference in the future when it comes to resale value. From performance and emission to fuel economy and engine life, a little oil change goes a long way when it comes to the Chevy Equinox.