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Chevrolet Silverado 2014-Present: How to Change Oil

Arm yourself with the knowledge of changing your Silverado 1500's oil and avoid the hassle of having to take it to the shop every time. Read more to learn about the process.

By Mark Garrett - June 3, 2015
Contributors: 2CarPros

This article applies to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2014-present).

Oil is the life blood of your engine. It not only lubricates the internal engine parts but it also helps cool the engine and keep it clean. Changing the oil and filter yourself costs so little that it is just darn cheap insurance. It is important to change your oil when the maintenance reminder display reads "Change Engine Oil Soon." You could change it sooner, but the vehicle's Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the computer that controls and monitors your powertrain, takes hundreds of factors into consideration to let you know the best time to change the oil. It used to be that changing oil every 3,000 miles made sense, but times have changed. Modern engines run so clean because of fuel injection and the PCM controlling the performance that it is actually wasteful to change the oil so soon. Unless the PCM actually lets you know that it is time after monitoring what the engine has been going through, then it truly must be time. A modern PCM has a tremendous amount of computing power.

The debate over conventional motor oil versus synthetic is still going on. The cost of synthetic keeps coming down while the cost of conventional oil keeps going up. High-end cars recommend synthetic so you may want to check into it for your Silverado 1500.

Materials Needed

  • 6 quarts of the oil recommended in the Owner's Manual
  • New oil filter
  • Jack and jack stands
  • 15 mm wrench
  • Container to catch the oil that is drained out
  • Oil filter wrench
  • Funnel
  • Rags
  • Latex gloves

Step 1 – Jack front end up, place on stands

Use caution when jacking your truck up. Place the jack stands under the frame so it is solid.

(Related Article - How to Jack Up Your Truck - ChevroletForum.com)

Figure 1. Truck secured on jack stands.

Pro Tip

Wear latex gloves while changing your oil. They are cheap and keep your hands clean.

Step 2 – Remove oil pan drain plug

The drain plug is on the side of the oil pan at the bottom. It takes a 15 mm wrench to remove it. The plug will be very tight. Place your container for catching the oil under the plug you are removing

Figure 2. Oil pan drain plug.

Pro Tip

The oil from the pan can squirt out a foot or more so be careful and adjust where you place the catch pan at.

Step 3 – Let oil drain in container

Your Silverado holds 6 quarts of engine oil so it will take a while for it to drain out. When the Texas Tea escaping your oil pan has ceased to flow, replace the oil pan drain plug. It needs to be tight, but don't get too carried away or else when you try to take it out next time you will not be happy (torque spec 20 ft./lb.).

Figure 3. Oil draining.

Pro Tip

You can buy an oil change kit when you get your oil and filter that includes a plastic container that catches the oil, an oil filter wrench, a funnel, and rags to clean up with.

Step 4 – Remove and replace the oil filter

The oil filter is located in a recess in the oil pan on the driver's side. It will be tight so you will need an oil filter wrench. There are dozens of different styles but a simple strap type normally works well.

Figure 4. Typical strap type oil filter wrench.

There will be oil in the filter so, as soon as you loosen it, oil will start coming out. Have your oil catch pan under the filter. Let the oil drain out of the filter before you remove it. After you remove the filter, wipe the surface clean where the filter screws onto the oil pan clean. Be sure the seal from the old filter did not remain stuck to the pan.

Put a thin layer of your new oil on the rubber seal on the new oil filter. Spin the new filter onto the oil pan hand tight. You can snug it up but do not use the oil filter wrench to tight the filter. It will seal with moderate force.

Pro Tip

After you change your oil a few times, you will get a sense of how tight to tighten the oil filter. A filter that has been over-tightened is a bad deal. It may have to be chiseled off. That will ruin your day.

Step 5 – Add new oil to engine

  • Wipe off any oil that is setting on the frame of the truck.
  • Let your truck down from the jack stands.
  • The oil filler cap is on the passenger side of the engine on the valve cover.
  • Figure 5. Removing oil filler cap. Yellow handle is dipstick.
  • Figure 6. Oil filler with funnel.
  • Put your funnel into the oil filler and pour in 6 quarts of your new oil. Pull out the dipstick to see if the oil level shows on it. Start your truck up and let it run for a minute. The oil pressure should come up to normal. If it does not, shut off the engine and make sure you put the new oil in. Check the oil level on the dipstick. It should show in the normal operating range on the dipstick.
  • Look under your truck and check for leaks.
  • Reset the oil life display to 100%.

Pro Tip

Recycle your used motor oil and filter. Most auto supply stores offer recycling. Pros don't dump used motor oil!

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