2016 GMC Sierra Engine Oil Capacity
Every trim level of the 2016 GMC Sierra has an engine oil capacity of eight quarts or about 7.5 liters.
Written by Liz Jenson
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
The 2016
GMC Sierra
has an oil capacity of 8 quarts with the filter in place, but you should always check your oil level after refilling your reservoir.Changing your vehicle’s oil at home is a great way to save on
basic car maintenance
costs, but you’ll need to be sure to get the right kind of oil and the right amount of product to perform this procedure correctly.2016 GMC Sierra engine oil capacity
The 2016 GMC Sierra has an engine oil capacity of 8 quarts or just over 7.5 liters. This is true for all 2016 Sierra models, whether they’re equipped with the 4.3-liter V6 engine, the 5.3-liter V8 engine, or the 6.2-liter V8 engine.
When determining how much oil you need, be sure not to get your engine displacement confused with your engine oil capacity. Both of these numbers can be measured in liters, but they measure completely different parts of the car!
Engine displacement refers to the amount of space taken up by your engine’s cylinders multiplied by the stroke of the crankshaft then multiplied by the number of cylinders and is essentially a measurement of the size of your engine. This means that, even if you have a 4.3-liter engine, your truck still requires 7.5 liters of oil.
What kind of oil does a 2016 GMC Sierra need?
GMC recommends that you use 5W-30 SAE synthetic engine oil for your 2016 GMC Sierra. This type of oil is necessary to keep all the moving parts of your engine properly lubricated and to prevent any issues further down the line.
But what does this oil grade mean? The numbers in your oil grade reference the oil’s viscosity, or how thick it is, and the W stands for winter. The number 5 before the W indicates that type of oil has a low viscosity at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, while the 30 indicates that the oil is still relatively thin at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the boiling point of pure water. In short, this type of oil performs well at low temperatures, meaning it will cause less wear and tear on your engine than a thicker oil might cause.
The SAE refers to the Society of Automotive Engineers, which is responsible for coding oil viscosity.
Synthetic motor oil is recommended due to its longevity. While high-quality conventional motor oil won’t necessarily harm your engine, vehicles with synthetic motor oil can drive up to 5,000 additional miles before requiring an oil change.
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 often to change oil on a 2016 GMC Sierra
Now that you know what type of oil to buy and how much to put into your Sierra, it’s time to
change your oil
! …Or, maybe not. GMC recommends that you change the oil in your 2016 Sierra every 7,500 miles, but there are a few telltale signs to let you know that your car needs an oil change.
- Motor oil with a dark brown or black color. Clean oil is light brown or amber, like a cup of tea, while dirty oil looks more like a cup of soda.
- Dirty oil feels coarse or gritty due to the tiny bits of metal inside.
- Unfamiliar noises coming from the engine can indicate that it’s time for an oil change.
- Some new smells, especially things like oil, smoke, or burning, should let you know to change your oil immediately
- Changes in your vehicle’s performance could be a result of dirty engine oil.
MORE: How to remote start your GMC Sierra
How to change your oil and oil filter
If it’s time to change your oil, you can do so by following these steps:
- Remove the oil fill cap.
- Get underneath the engine and place your drain pan underneath the oil drain bolt.
- Remove the drain bolt and washer. The old oil flows out as you do this, so try to stay out of the way of the spray.
- Once the flow of oil has slowed, remove the old oil filter and let the oil continue to drain.
- Install your new oil filter per the instructions on the packaging.
- Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft torque. Improper tightening can cause leaks and other issues, so be sure your bolt reaches 29 lb-ft!
- Refill the engine with your new oil from under the hood using a funnel and replace the fill cap.
When you’re done, the
oil pressure light
in your car should turn off automatically. Once you’re done, be sure to properly dispose of the old oil. That means no throwing it in the trash! Instead, bring the oil to your local recycling center."I thought I was already paying the lowest rate possible for my age group, butJerryfound me a better deal for the same coverage with Travelers! Everything went so smoothly that I couldn’t help but make a change right away.”—Athit S.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Where can I buy engine oil for my 2016 GMC Sierra?
You can get engine oil for your vehicle at your local auto parts store or gas station. Simply let the employee know what kind of vehicle you drive or what kind of oil you need.
What kind of oil does the 2016 GMC Sierra need?
The 2016 GMC Sierra requires 5W-30 SAE fully synthetic motor oil in order to function properly.
How often should I change the oil in my GMC Sierra?
Generally speaking, it’s recommended that you change the oil in your Sierra every 7,000 miles. However, there are other factors that indicate a need to change your oil, including dark or gritty motor oil, a strange noise or burning smell from your engine, or a decline in vehicle performance.
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
4.7You might also be interested
