2014 GMC Terrain Engine Oil Capacity
The 2014 GMC Terrain has an oil capacity of 5 to 6 quarts with a filter, depending on its engine. Learn more about engine oil here.
Written by Christelle Agustin
Reviewed by Amy Bobinger
Ready to change your own oil? The 2014 GMC Terrain has an engine oil capacity of 5 quarts with the 2.4-liter engine and 6 quarts with the 3.6-liter engine.
Changing your oil can be daunting when you’re used to letting the mechanic handle it, but sometimes getting your hands dirty can be rewarding and way more practical! Ready to learn all about the oil capacity and oil changes? In this guide, we’ll tell you how much oil the 2014 GMC Terrain needs, what kind of oil to use, and when and how to get an oil change.
2014 GMC Terrain engine oil capacity
The oil capacity of the 2014 GMC Terrain depends on its engine. The 2.4-liter L4 engine holds 5 quarts of oil with a filter, while the 3.6-L V6 engine can hold 6 quarts with a filter.
As you’re reading those specifications, you may notice that there are two measurements—one measurement in liters and another in quarts. There’s a difference! The 2.4- or 3.6-liter size refers to
engine displacement
or the volume taken up by the engine’s cylinders. The larger the volume, the more powerful an engine is. The quart measurement or oil capacity refers to how much oil is needed to lubricate the engine.What kind of oil does a 2014 GMC Terrain need?
Every vehicle requires engine oil of a specific grade and viscosity—you can’t just pour in any oil you get your hands on.
GMC recommends oil approved by dexos1® with a viscosity of SAE 5W-30. If you live in a cold climate that reaches as low as −20°F, you may use SAE 0W-30.
Do not use SAE 10W-30, 10W-40, or 20W-50 oils as they could damage your vehicle and prevent it from starting.
MORE: How much should an oil change cost?
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
How to read engine oil viscosity grades
Reading engine oil is almost like learning a new language but, lucky for you, it’s much more straightforward! Here’s a breakdown of how to read the viscosity grade, “SAE 5W-30”:
- SAE: The acronym for Society of Automotive Engineers, the organization that standardizes engine oil specifications. Today, they’ve changed their name to SAE International.
- 5W: Refers to the oil’s viscosity in freezing temperatures (“W” stands for winter). The thinnest grade is 0W and the thickest is 25W.
- 30: Refers to the oil’s viscosity when the engine is running hot. The thinnest viscosity is 20 and 60 is the thickest.
When you put everything together, SAE 5W-30 means that you have engine oil that has a thin consistency in both hot and cold temperatures. In other words, you won’t have to struggle to start your engine once winter comes around!
How often to change oil on a 2014 GMC Terrain
You should change your oil every 7,500 miles or 12 months on the 2014 GMC Terrain, whichever comes first.
If you’ve lost count of how many days it’s been since your last oil change, pay attention to your dashboard lights. Your GMC Terrain will flash a “CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON” message that alerts you to change your oil in the next 600 miles.
Think you’re due for an oil change now? You may be right. Watch out for these telltale signs when checking your oil or driving:
- Oil is gritty and coarse
- Oil is thick and sludgy
- Oil is dark in color like soda (clean oil should be translucent like tea)
- Smoking or burning smells coming from the engine
- Vehicle is slow to accelerate and underperforms
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds (Title in payload)
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversHow to change your oil and oil filter
It’s time for the real work—changing your oil and filter. Here are the tools you’ll need:
- Drive-up ramps
- Oil drain pan
- 15mm socket
- 32mm shallow socket
- Swivel-head ratchet
- New oil filter and O rings
- Sealed container (for old oil)
- Funnel
- 5 to 6 quarts of oil
Follow these steps to successfully perform an oil change:
- Open your hood using the hood release handle located above the emergency brake.
- Remove the oil filler cap. This will allow the oil to flow out faster.
- Get under the vehicle and position the oil drain pan under the engine.
- Using the 15mm socket, loosen the oil drain bolt. Carefully untwist it as the oil will quickly rush out.
- Return to the hood and tighten the 32mm socket onto the oil filter cap and then use the swivel-head ratchet to remove the oil filter cap.
- Remove the old oil filter.
- Lubricate the new O rings with oil and install them on both the oil filter cap and the new oil filter.
- Install the new oil filter and oil filter cap. Tighten it closed with the 32mm socket.
- After the oil has completely drained, replace the oil drain plug. You may also pour the old engine oil into a sealed container for later disposal.
- It’s time to add the new oil! Place the funnel into the engine and pour 5 to 6 quarts of oil, depending on your vehicle.
- Replace the oil filler cap and you’re done!
To make sure you’ve put in the right amount of oil, turn your engine on for a couple of minutes and turn it off. You can then check the oil levels with your dipstick and add oil if needed.
The final step is to reset the engine oil life system. With your car on and engine off, navigate your dashboard information by using the center console’s buttons. Press the MENU button to select the Option tab. Use the arrow buttons to view REMAINING OIL LIFE and press SET/CLR to reset it. Your remaining oil life should now display 100%!
Now that you’ve successfully changed your GMC Terrain’s oil, you can clean up and recycle the old oil at a local recycling center, GMC dealership, or repair shop.
“I just had to buy a new car, and I needed quick help to get insurance before I could get my plates. Because I work so many hours,Jerrywas the ideal choice for getting things done without long phone calls and waiting periods.” —Rosa G.
RECOMMENDED
Saved $725 annuallySaved $834 annuallySaved $668 annually
Haven’t shopped for insurance in the last six months? There might be hundreds $$$ in savings waiting for you.
Judith switched to Progressive
Saved $725 annually
Alexander switched to Travelers
Saved $834 annually
Annie switched to Nationwide
Saved $668 annuallyCheck if you are overpaying for car insurance.
No phone calls. No long forms. Quotes from 50+ insurance companies.
Find insurance savings
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
4.7You might also be interested
