1.5L I4 Turbo (LYX)
- Oil viscosity
- 5W-30
- Oil capacity
- 4.2 qt with filter
- Oil spec
- dexos1
- Timing drive
- Chain, no scheduled service
- Coolant
- Dexcool (orange)
Third generation (2018 to 2024)
2018 Chevrolet Equinox Maintenance Schedule
Enter the current mileage to see what needs attention, then use the milestones below to plan the work ahead.
Review status Aug 11, 2026 Verification against the printed manual in progress
BodySUV
DriveFWD / AWD
Transmission6-speed automatic (1.5L) / 9-speed automatic (2.0L)
Engines2 available
01 / Full schedule
Service points by mileage
Grouped the way a service booklet reads. Costs are broad national shop ranges; severe use shortens the intervals shown in that column.
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | Replace | 7,500 mi / 12 mo | 5,000 mi / 6 mo | $65 to $125 | Light |
| Oil filter | Replace | 7,500 mi / 12 mo | 5,000 mi / 6 mo | Included in service | Light |
| Tire rotation | Rotate | Every 7,500 mi | Same | $25 to $60 | Light |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads | Inspect | 10,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | $150 to $320 | Moderate |
| Rear brake pads | Inspect | 10,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | $150 to $320 | Moderate |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake lines and hoses | Inspect | 15,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | Up to $60 | Light |
| Suspension and steering inspection | Inspect | 15,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | Up to $90 | Light |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin air filter | Replace | 22,500 mi / 24 mo | Same | $45 to $95 | Easy |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear differential fluid | Inspect | Every 30,000 mi | Same | $70 to $140 | Moderate |
| Shocks and struts | Inspect | Every 30,000 mi | Same | $600 to $1400 | Involved |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine air filter | Replace | Every 45,000 mi | 22,500 mi | $35 to $75 | Easy |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serpentine belt | Inspect | First at 60,000 mi, then every 15,000 mi | Same | $90 to $200 | Light |
| Spark plugs | Replace | Every 60,000 mi | Same | $150 to $420 | Moderate |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic transmission fluid | Replace | Every 97,500 mi | 45,000 mi | $150 to $320 | Moderate |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine coolant | Replace | 150,000 mi / 60 mo | Same | $130 to $260 | Moderate |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | Test | Every 12 mo | Same | $160 to $320 | Light |
| Battery terminal cleaning | Clean | Every 12 mo | Same | Up to $40 | Easy |
| Brake fluid | Flush | Every 60 mo | Same | $90 to $160 | Moderate |
| Tire pressure | Inspect | Every 1 mo | Same | Up to $10 | Easy |
| Washer fluid | Inspect | Every 1 mo | Same | Up to $10 | Easy |
| Wiper blades | Inspect | Every 6 mo | Same | $30 to $80 | Easy |
Time limits still apply when you drive fewer miles than the interval. Calendar-based items are listed in their own group above.
02 / Engine and fluids
The specs people need at the parts counter
Confirm the engine before buying fluids, filters, or ignition parts. Capacities and specs differ between them.
2.0L I4 Turbo (LTG)
- Oil viscosity
- 5W-30
- Oil capacity
- 5 qt with filter
- Oil spec
- dexos1
- Timing drive
- Chain, no scheduled service
- Coolant
- Dexcool (orange)
Common tire sizes 225/65R17235/50R19
03 / The year in context
What this schedule asks of you
The 2018 Equinox runs the third-generation formula of small turbocharged fours: a 1.5L on volume trims and a 2.0L above it. GM pacing applies, with the Oil Life System capped at 7,500 miles, a 45,000-mile air filter, and five-year coolant and brake fluid.
The schedule wrinkle that catches owners is the plug interval. These turbo engines call for spark plugs at 60,000 miles, and the misfire complaints that show up past that point usually trace straight to plugs left on the older 97,500-mile habit.
Both engines take dexos1 5W-30 in modest quantities, filters are cheap, and the AWD hardware asks only for periodic fluid attention, so the running cost story is dominated by staying on top of that shorter ignition schedule.
SEV
Shorter intervals
Do you use the severe schedule?
Frequent short trips, towing, dusty roads, extreme temperatures, and long idling shorten the intervals. The severe column in the table above shows by how much; the toggle in the mileage check applies it.
Check severe-use timing04 / Worth knowing
Before you book service
- 01
Spark plugs on these turbo fours are due at 60,000 miles, not the six-figure interval most GM owners expect. It is the most commonly missed line on this schedule.
- 02
The 1.5L pairs with a 6-speed and the 2.0L with a 9-speed; the fluids differ, so the gearbox matters at the parts counter.
- 03
A 1.6L diesel also reached this generation; its fuel filter and oil requirements differ enough that this page covers the gasoline engines only.
- 04
AWD versions add a rear drive module. Its fluid gets inspected on schedule and deserves replacement if the vehicle tows.
05 / Cost outlook
What routine service may cost
Estimated from this schedule over five years or 60,000 miles of normal driving. Parts, labor rates, location, and condition all move the total; treat these as planning figures.
5 years / 60K at a shop $1,100 to $2,550 Independent shop rates
DIY parts estimate $370 to $1,000 Routine items only
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, this site earns a commission at no extra cost to you. See the full disclosure.
Find parts for this Equinox
- Engine oilAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Engine air filterAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Cabin air filterAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Wiper bladesAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Front brake padsAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- BatteryAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
08 / Common questions
2018 Equinox service answers
01 How often does a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox need an oil change?
The published interval is every 7,500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Under severe conditions such as short trips, towing, dust, or extreme temperatures, the interval drops to 5,000 miles.
02 Does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox have a timing belt or a timing chain?
Every available engine, the 1.5L I4 Turbo (LYX) and the 2.0L I4 Turbo (LTG), uses a timing chain. There is no scheduled timing belt replacement.
03 What oil does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox take, and how much?
1.5L I4 Turbo (LYX): 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter. 2.0L I4 Turbo (LTG): 5W-30, 5 quarts with filter. Confirm the grade printed in the owner's manual before buying.
04 When do the spark plugs need to be replaced on a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
The schedule calls for spark plugs every 60,000 miles. GM assigns these small turbo engines a 60,000-mile plug interval, far shorter than the 97,500 miles on the older engines.
05 Does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox ever need automatic transmission fluid changes?
Plan on automatic transmission fluid every 97,500 miles, or 45,000 miles under severe use. Severe covers towing, plowing, and sustained hot-climate hauling.
06 When does the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox need a coolant change?
Engine coolant is due every 150,000 miles. The specified coolant is Dexcool (orange).
07 What extra maintenance does the AWD Equinox need?
The driveline adds its own fluids: differential gear oil and, where fitted, transfer case fluid. They are inexpensive services with long intervals under normal use, and much shorter ones under towing or off-road duty. The schedule table lists each with its interval.
08 What counts as severe service for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox?
Repeated trips under about five miles, extended idling, stop-and-go traffic in heat, dusty or gravel roads, towing, and sustained sub-freezing starts. If a few of those describe a typical week, use the severe column in the table above; most manufacturers write their fine print around exactly that kind of driving.
09 / Sources
Where this schedule came from
- 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Owner's Manual, maintenance section Accessed 2026-08-11
- 2018 Chevrolet Equinox maintenance schedule booklet Accessed 2026-08-11
Reference only. Confirm the schedule for your exact vehicle in the owner's manual. This site is not affiliated with Chevrolet or any manufacturer.
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