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2016–2019 Chevrolet Volt

2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt — Oil and Filter Change

🔧 Easy 30–45 minutes

Quick Video Tutorial

Parts You Need

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Total Cost
$0.00
Part Name Part Number Price Buy
5W-30 dexos engine oil (4 quarts) — —
Spin-on oil filter — —

💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps carefully

1

Run the engine to warm the oil

The Volt's 1.5L range extender may not have run recently — force it on by putting the car in Hold mode or Mountain mode and letting it idle for 3–5 minutes. This warms the oil for draining. Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake. Have 4 quarts of 5W-30 dexos ready.

2

Lift the front for underbody access

The Volt sits low, so drive onto ramps or lift the front evenly. The 1.5L's oil pan and filter are accessed from below — you may need to remove a small underbody panel. Never work under the car on a jack alone.

3

Drain the oil

Remove the oil fill cap to vent the crankcase. Locate the drain plug on the oil pan, position the drain pan, and remove the plug with a wrench. The 1.5L holds 4 quarts — allow 10 minutes for a complete drain, as the infrequently-run engine may have settled oil.

4

Replace the oil filter

Loosen the spin-on filter with a filter wrench and remove it by hand. Clean the mounting surface, verify the old gasket came off, oil the new gasket, and install hand-tight plus three-quarter turn. The Volt's filter is small — do not overtighten.

5

Refill and check the level

Reinstall the drain plug (hand-thread first, then snug). Pour in 4 quarts of 5W-30 dexos. Start the engine (it will run in maintenance mode), let it idle for 30 seconds, shut it off, wait 2 minutes, and check the dipstick. Verify the level reads full and check for leaks underneath.

6

Reset the oil-life monitor

The Volt tracks oil life based on engine run time, not mileage — it may call for a change every 2 years even with low miles. Reset the monitor through the infotainment system under Vehicle Settings. Record the date, since time matters more than miles on the Volt.

All Done!

Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • • Not warming the engine first, leaving old oil in the pan.
  • • Overfilling — 4 quarts is the full capacity.
  • • Ignoring the 2-year time-based interval because mileage is low.