This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022) GM Chevrolet Colorado truck in changing the motor oil and replacing the oil filter in the LFX or LGZ 3.6 liter V6 engine. The procedure should be the same or very similar for the Ecotec 2.5L turbocharged I4 engine or the Duramax 2.8L turbodiesel I4 engine.
Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick and Holden such as the Trax, Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Tahoe, Suburban, Sonic, Cruze, Trailblazer, Spark, Malibu, Impala, Volt, Bolt, Corvette, Camaro, Silverado, Express, Regal, LaCrosse, Cascada, Encore, Enclave, Envision, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade, CT5, CTS, XTS, CT6, ATS, Astra and Commodore may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.
A few compatible replacement cartridge style oil filters for the 2015 and 2016 model years equipped with the LFX 3.6L V6 engine include the following: ACDelco PF2129G, Bosch 3474 and K&N PS-7003.
The compatible oil filter part numbers for the newer 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 model years with the LGZ 3.6L V6 engine are as follows: ACDelco PF2257G, Bosch 72260WS and Fram TG10246.
The tools needed to complete this procedure include a 15mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet, a used oil catch container, a 24mm socket with a long extension bar, a 1/2" drive ratchet, a small flat head screwdriver and an automotive funnel.
Both the LFX and LGZ 3.6L V6 engines require 6.0 U.S. quarts (or 5.7L) of new SAE 5W-30 oil for an oil change with a filter replacement.
The first steps are to warm up the engine for a few minutes, drive the truck on to a level surface, place the transmission in park and turn off the ignition.
Warming up the engine will help suspend any contaminants or fine metal shavings within the old oil and also allow it to drain out more quickly.
Engage the emergency / parking brake and place wheel chocks on both sides of the rear tires to prevent the truck from moving.
Open the hood, twist off the oil filler cap in the counterclockwise direction and partially lift up the yellow handled oil dipstick an inch or two. Set the oil fill cap aside in a safe place.
Taking off the oil filler cap and partially removing the dipstick will help prevent a vacuum from forming and allow the old oil to drain out more quickly.
Start the engine and allow the engine to warm up for a few minutes.
Turn off the ignition and allow the new oil to drain back down to the oil pan for at least five minutes or about ten to fifteen minutes for the most accurate reading.
Pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean with a paper towel, fully re-insert it and pull it out again to check the oil level.
If necessary, slowly pour in more oil up to the 6 U.S. quarts (or 5.7 liters) total oil capacity specification and repeatedly check the oil level on the dipstick until it reaches the top of the cross hatched area which indicates the "FULL" or "MAX" (maximum) oil level.
You may not need to pour in all of the new oil in order for the level to reach the full line on the dipstick depending on how long you allowed the old oil to drain out.
Once the oil level is correct, re-insert the dipstick and make sure that the oil fill cap is tight.
To reset the engine oil life system and clear the "CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON" warning message on the driver information center (DIC), follow these steps: 1. Display the "Oil Life Remaining" screen on the display. 2. Press and hold the "SET/CLR" button for a few seconds until the oil life resets to 100%.
An alternative method to resetting the oil life system is as follows: 1. Turn the ignition switch to the "ON/RUN" setting but do not start the engine. 2. Switch the DIC until it displays the "Oil Life Remaining" screen. 3. Fully press down the accelerator (gas) pedal slowly three times within five seconds. The oil life should display 100%.
Be sure to write down the oil change and filter replacement in your vehicle's service records.
Please check out all of my 2015-2019 GM Chevrolet Colorado DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.