Chevy Trax maintenance schedule
The Chevy Trax maintenance schedule follows the GM Oil Life System for oil changes: change the oil within 600 miles of the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message, and at least once a year. The rest is fixed: tire rotation every 7,500 miles, cabin air filter every 22,500 miles or 2 years, spark plugs every 60,000 miles, and brake fluid every 5 years. The 2024 and later Trax adds one big item: the timing belt at 150,000 miles or 15 years.
On this page (8 sections)
How the Oil Life System works on the Trax
The system tracks engine revolutions, engine temperature, and miles, and shows the oil life left as a percentage; 99% means 99% of the oil’s life remains. When CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON appears, change the oil and filter within the next 600 miles. If the system is reset by accident, change the oil 3,000 miles after the last change. After each change, reset it: how to reset the oil light. How Chevrolet sets service across its models: Chevrolet maintenance schedule.
Trax service items by generation
From Chevrolet’s Trax manuals, in our own words. When an item has both miles and years, do it at whichever comes first.
2nd generation (2024–2026)
Reminder system: GM Oil Life System.9 Oil changes: when CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON shows, within 600 miles; at least once a year.
| Service | When |
|---|---|
| Tire rotation | every 7,500 miles9 |
| Engine air filter | when the Engine Air Filter Life System asks9 |
| Cabin air filter | every 22,500 miles or 24 months, whichever comes first9 |
| Spark plugs | every 60,000 miles9 |
| Engine coolant | every 150,000 miles or 6 years, whichever comes first9 |
| Timing belt and oil pump drive belt | every 150,000 miles or 15 years, whichever comes first9 |
| Brake fluid | every 5 years9 |
| Automatic transmission fluid and filter | severe service: every 45,000 miles9 |
1st generation (2015–2022)
Reminder system: GM Oil Life System.1 Oil changes: when CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON shows, within 600 miles; at least once a year.
| Service | When |
|---|---|
| Tire rotation | every 7,500 miles1 |
| Cabin air filter | every 22,500 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first1 |
| Engine air filter | every 45,000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first1 |
| Spark plugs | every 60,000 miles (2015 manual: every 37,500 miles)1 |
| Engine coolant | every 150,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first1 |
| Brake fluid | every 5 years (2020–2022 manuals)1 |
| Automatic transmission fluid | severe service: every 45,000 miles1 |
| Rear axle fluid (AWD) | every 150,000 miles; severe service every 75,000 miles1 |
The timing belt on the 2024 and later Trax
The 1.2-liter three-cylinder in the second-generation Trax has a timing belt and a separate oil pump drive belt. Chevrolet’s 2024–2026 manuals list both for replacement at 150,000 miles or 15 years, whichever comes first. The 15-year limit matters for a Trax that is driven little. More on the job: timing belt replacement.
The second generation also has an Engine Air Filter Life System, so the engine air filter is replaced when the car asks rather than at a fixed mileage.
Older manuals, different numbers
Chevrolet changed several intervals during the first generation. If your Trax is a 2015–2019, check your own manual for these:
- Spark plugs: the 2015 manual lists them every 37,500 miles; from 2016 the interval is 60,000 miles. See spark plug replacement.
- Brake fluid: every 45,000 miles or 3 years in the 2015–2016 manuals; in 2017–2019, every 5 years for DOT 3 fluid or every 3 years for DOT 4; every 5 years from 2020. More: brake fluid flush.
- All-wheel drive: the 2016–2019 manuals list a transfer case fluid change at 97,500 miles.
Normal or severe service
The Oil Life System already shortens oil changes under hard use. For the other items, Chevrolet lists severe service as mostly heavy city traffic in hot weather, hilly or mountain driving, high-speed driving, and taxi, police, or delivery use. The 2024 and later manuals add commercial use, dusty roads, and frequent trips of less than 4 miles. Under severe service, change the automatic transmission fluid every 45,000 miles (with the filter on the second generation), and on a first-generation all-wheel drive Trax the rear axle fluid every 75,000 miles. Which column fits you: normal vs severe maintenance.
Keep the record
A Trax is often bought used, and a dated record of oil changes, brake fluid, and spark plugs is what the next owner asks for. The oil life display resets each time and keeps no history. Write down the date, odometer, and work at every visit in a car maintenance log, and keep the receipts. Back to the Trax MPG, tires, and towing page.
FAQ
How often does a Chevy Trax need an oil change?
When the Oil Life System shows CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON, within the next 600 miles, and at least once a year. Oil grade by year: Trax oil type.
Does the Chevy Trax have a timing belt?
The 2024 and later Trax does. Chevrolet says to replace the timing belt and oil pump drive belt at 150,000 miles or 15 years. For a 2015–2022 Trax, check the maintenance schedule in your own manual.
When does a Trax need spark plugs?
Every 60,000 miles on 2016–2022 and 2024–2026 models. The 2015 manual lists 37,500 miles.
How often should the Trax brake fluid be changed?
Every 5 years on 2020 and later models. Earlier manuals list 3 years for some fluids, so check the one for your year.
Milealot is an independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors or Chevrolet. Chevrolet, Chevy, and Trax are trademarks of their owner and are used here only to name the vehicles.
Sources
- 2021 Chevrolet Trax Owner’s Manual (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2015 Chevrolet Trax Owner Manual (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2016 Chevrolet Trax Owner’s Manual (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2017 Chevrolet Trax Owner’s Manual (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2018 Chevrolet Trax Owner’s Manual (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2019 Chevrolet Trax Owner’s Manual (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2020 Chevrolet Trax Owner’s Manual (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2022 Chevrolet Trax Owner’s Manual (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2024 Chevrolet Trax Owner’s Manual (archived) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2025 Chevrolet Trax Owner’s Manual (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2026 Chevrolet Trax Owner’s Manual (archived) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2015 Chevrolet Trax specifications, Chevrolet Media (archived) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2016 Chevrolet Trax specifications, Chevrolet Media (archived) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2017 Chevrolet Trax specifications, Chevrolet Media (archived) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2022 Chevrolet Trax fact sheet, Chevrolet Media (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2024 Chevrolet Trax Delivers Beyond Expectations (Chevrolet Media, Oct 2022) (checked November 12, 2026)