Chevrolet maintenance schedule
The Chevrolet maintenance schedule is built around the Engine Oil Life System. The car works out when the oil is worn from engine revolutions, engine temperature, and miles driven, then shows CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON. Chevrolet says to change the oil within the next 600 miles of that message, and at least once a year even if it never appears. Tire rotation and the other required services come every 7,500 miles.
On this page (9 sections)
The short answer
| Item | When |
|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter | When CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON shows (within 600 miles), and at least once a year |
| Tire rotation and required services | Every 7,500 miles |
| Cabin (passenger compartment) air filter | Every 22,500 miles or 24 months |
| Engine air filter | When the Engine Air Filter Life System asks for it |
| Spark plugs | Every 60,000 miles |
| Engine coolant | Drain and fill at 150,000 miles or 6 years |
| Brake fluid | Every 5 years |
From the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox owner’s manual. Older manuals, such as the 2019 Equinox, show these items as check marks in a mileage chart, with time limits in footnotes, and some intervals differ. Other models, engines, and years differ too; check your own manual. By year: Equinox and Trax maintenance schedules.
The Engine Oil Life System
GM calls it the Engine Oil Life System; many owners call it the oil life monitor. Ford’s Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor works on the same idea. The driver information center shows the remaining oil life as a percentage. When the system decides the oil is worn, CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON comes on, and the Equinox manuals say to change the oil and filter within the next 600 miles.
Two time rules apply. Under the best conditions, the system may not ask for an oil change for up to a year, but the oil and filter must be changed at least once a year. And if the system is ever reset by accident, the oil must be changed within 3,000 miles of the last oil change.
Reset the system after every oil change. In the 2019 Equinox, display REMAINING OIL LIFE in the driver information center and press and hold the V button for several seconds until it shows 100%. Other models use different buttons; see how to reset the oil light.
Every 7,500 miles: tire rotation and required services
The oil change floats; the rest of the schedule does not. Chevrolet recommends a visit every 7,500 miles to rotate the tires and do the required services. In the 2019 Equinox manual, the required services include checking the oil level and oil life, coolant, washer fluid, tire pressure and wear, the engine air filter, the brakes, and the steering and suspension. See tire rotation.
Chevrolet also lists severe use: mainly heavy city traffic in hot weather, mainly hilly or mountain driving, frequent towing, high-speed or competitive driving, and taxi, police, or delivery service. Those cars follow the “Additional Required Services - Severe” chart. Compare in normal vs severe maintenance.
Chevrolet Covered Maintenance
Chevrolet covers one maintenance visit during the first 12 months of owning a 2024 or newer vehicle, at a Chevy Certified Service dealer. Chevrolet’s Covered Maintenance page lists what it includes:
- Gas and diesel vehicles: oil and oil filter change, a multi-point vehicle inspection, and a 4-tire rotation according to the vehicle’s schedule. Diesels also get a diesel exhaust fluid top-off.
- Electric vehicles: a 4-tire rotation and a multi-point inspection.
- Corvette: one oil change (Mobil 1 required) and inspection within the first 24 months of ownership.
After that visit, maintenance is at your cost. Book the free visit before the 12 months run out, and keep the receipt in your records.
Where to find your Chevy’s schedule
The Maintenance Schedule section of the owner’s manual has the full charts for your model and engine; Chevrolet posts owner’s manuals online, and the printed manual is in the glove box. How maintenance records protect your warranty: maintenance and warranty.
Keep a record
An oil life percentage does not tell you when the 7,500-mile visit or the yearly oil change is due. Write down the date, odometer, and work at each visit, and keep the receipts, in a car maintenance log. Chevrolet model pages, such as the Equinox and Trax, have the schedule by year. More makes: car maintenance by make.
Chevrolet models
- Chevrolet Equinox MPG, gas tank, tires, and towingChevy Equinox mpg by year from the EPA, gas tank size and range, tire sizes, oil, and towing capacity for…
- Chevy Trax MPG, gas tank, tires, and towingChevy Trax mpg by year from the EPA, gas tank size and range, tire sizes, oil, and why Chevrolet says not to…
FAQ
How often does a Chevy need an oil change?
When CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON shows, within the next 600 miles, and at least once a year even if the message never appears.
How often should I rotate the tires on a Chevrolet?
Every 7,500 miles, together with the required services in the owner’s manual.
Does a new Chevrolet come with free maintenance?
One visit. Chevrolet covers one maintenance visit, with an oil change and tire rotation, in the first 12 months of owning a 2024 or newer vehicle, at a Chevy Certified Service dealer.
What if I reset the Chevy oil life by mistake?
The system loses track. The 2019 and 2024 Equinox manuals say to have the car serviced within 3,000 miles of the last oil change, then reset the system.
Milealot is an independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors or Chevrolet. Chevrolet, Chevy, and the model names are trademarks of their owner and are used here only to name the vehicles and programs.
Sources
- Chevrolet, 2024 Equinox owner’s manual, Maintenance Schedule (7,500-mile tire rotation and required services, oil life, cabin filter, Engine Air Filter Life System, spark plugs, coolant, brake fluid; severe use) (checked November 13, 2026): gm.com (PDF)
- Chevrolet, 2019 Equinox owner’s manual (Engine Oil Life System reset; required services; accidental reset) (checked November 12, 2026): chevrolet.com
- Chevrolet, Covered Maintenance (one visit in the first 12 months, 2024 or newer; EV and Corvette terms) (checked November 12, 2026): chevrolet.com