How to Change Your 2023 Chevy Traverse 2.0T's Oil — DIY Guide

Here's what I do every time I service the 2023 Chevy Traverse 2.0T — and once you've done it once, the whole job takes under 30 minutes. GM dealers charge $130–$160 for this service; parts cost around $35–$45. The Traverse's turbocharged Ecotec 2.0T uses a spin-on filter and a conventional bottom-drain setup — nothing exotic. The only real nuance is the GM dexos1 Gen 3 oil spec.

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Parts & Tools

Item	OEM / Spec	Detail
Oil filter	ACDelco PF64 (OE# 12680277)	Spin-on, driver-side of engine
Drain plug washer	OE crush washer or new sealing plug	Replace each service
Motor oil	0W-20 full synthetic	GM dexos1 Gen 3 certified
Capacity	4.2 qt with filter	2.0T Ecotec LTG
Drain plug torque	18 lb-ft (25 Nm)	15mm hex

Additional tools: 15mm socket, filter wrench, drain pan, funnel, torque wrench.

Oil note: GM dexos1 Gen 3 is the required spec for the 2023 Traverse 2.0T — not Gen 2, not generic API SP. Pennzoil Platinum 0W-20, Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-20, and Valvoline Advanced 0W-20 all carry dexos1 Gen 3 certification. Using a non-certified oil voids the powertrain warranty and can trigger false OLM readings.

Filter note: The PF64 fits across multiple Chevy/GMC models — widely available at any auto parts store. Buy an OE AC Delco if you can; it typically costs the same as the house brand and uses a nitrile anti-drain-back valve that holds up better in turbo applications.

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DIY vs. Shop Cost

Item	DIY Cost	Shop Cost
GM dexos1 Gen 3 0W-20 (5 qt)	$26–$36	—
ACDelco PF64 filter	$8–$12	—
Drain plug washer	$1–$2	—
Total parts	~$35–$50	—
Labor	$0	$100–$120
Total	~$35–$50	$135–$170

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Step-by-Step Oil Change

1. Warm the Engine

Run the Traverse for 5 minutes. Warm oil drains completely in about 7 minutes; cold oil leaves a thicker residue on the pan walls. Park on level ground and set the parking brake.

2. Raise the Vehicle (If Needed)

The 2023 Traverse has reasonable ground clearance — on many driveways you can slide a low-profile drain pan under without ramps. If needed, use ramps or a floor jack and stands at the designated frame jack points.

3. Drain the Oil

Locate the drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan — 15mm hex. Position your drain pan, loosen counterclockwise, and remove by hand the last few turns to avoid a splash. Allow 7–8 minutes for full drain. Remove the old sealing washer.

4. Replace the Filter

The PF64 spin-on sits on the driver's side of the engine, accessible from above or from underneath depending on your setup. Break it loose with a filter wrench, unscrew by hand (have a rag ready — residual oil will run). Apply a thin film of fresh oil to the new filter's gasket. Thread on hand-tight, then snug an additional 3/4 turn — do not use a wrench to tighten.

5. Reinstall the Drain Plug

Install a new crush washer or reuse the OE self-sealing plug if it's in good shape. Thread in by hand until it seats, then torque to 18 lb-ft (25 Nm). The aluminum oil pan is easy to overtorque — use a torque wrench.

6. Add Oil

Remove the yellow-capped oil filler on the top of the engine. Add 4.0 quarts of dexos1 Gen 3 0W-20 to start, then check the dipstick. The full range on the 2023 Traverse dipstick is tight — add in small increments. Final capacity with filter is 4.2 quarts.

7. Start and Check for Leaks

Crank the engine — the oil pressure light clears within 3 seconds. Let it idle for 90 seconds. Check under the vehicle for drips at the drain plug and filter. Shut off, wait 5 minutes, recheck the dipstick.

8. Reset the Oil Life Monitor (OLM)

In the DIC (Driver Information Center): press the Menu button → scroll to Oil Life → hold Set/Reset for 5 seconds until it resets to 100%. The OLM factors in turbo heat cycles — reset it every time regardless of displayed percentage.

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2023 Traverse 2.0T Ownership Notes

The 2.0T Ecotec is a solid engine, but the turbocharger generates heat that shortens oil life faster than a naturally aspirated engine. Two things I always do:

1. Short-trip correction: If you do a lot of short drives (under 15 minutes), reduce your interval — the OLM doesn't fully account for cold-start condensation buildup in the oil from repeated short trips.
2. Post-drive shutdown: Let the engine idle for 60 seconds after hard driving before shutting off. Turbo cooldown reduces heat soak into the oil pan.

For related GM oil change guides, see the 2022 GMC Yukon 5.3L Ecotec3 oil change guide and our GM oil change overview at /guides/oil-changes.

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