On the T1 Silverado this is one of the easiest jobs on the truck, with two catches: capacity and oil spec. The 5.3L L84 and 6.2L L87 take a full 8 quarts of 0W-20 dexos1 Gen 3, the 2.7L turbo takes 6, and the 3.0L Duramax takes roughly 7.4 quarts of dexos D — a completely different oil that is not interchangeable with the gas spec. The drain plug on the gas engines is a 15 mm hex head in an aluminum pan, so torque it with a wrench rather than by feel.
The filter is where the engines split. Gas trucks use a spin-on filter you reach from underneath after pulling the plastic undertray; the diesel uses a cartridge in a housing on top of the engine, which means you can do the whole job with an extractor and never lift the truck. The two things people get wrong: buying only 5 quarts for a V8, and forgetting to reset the oil life monitor, which leaves the change reminder counting down from the old interval.
| Item | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Floor jack 2 ton minimum, low-profile Lifts the front of the truck for drain plug and filter access (not needed on lifted trucks with room underneath). | Required | shop |
| Jack stands 3 ton pair Supports the truck at the frame rails while you work under it. | Safety | shop |
| Wheel chocks Blocks the rear wheels before lifting. | Safety | shop |
| Socket set 7 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 13 mm, 3/8 in drive Removes front undertray/air dam bolts and splash shield fasteners on trucks so equipped. | Required | shop |
| Trim/panel fastener remover Plastic pry tool set Pops the plastic push-pin retainers holding the lower engine shield without breaking them. | Recommended | shop |
| Ratchet 3/8 in drive, 8-10 in handle Drives the drain plug and shield fasteners. | Required | shop |
| 15 mm socket 6-point, 3/8 in drive Fits the oil pan drain plug on the 2.7L and 5.3L/6.2L V8s. | Required | shop |
| Drain pan 10-12 quart with spout or sealed lid The 5.3L and 6.2L hold 8 quarts, so a small 6-quart pan will overflow. | Required | shop |
| Oil filter wrench Cap-style or 3-jaw for PF63/PF66 spin-on filter Loosens the spin-on filter on the 2.7L and V8 engines; hand-tight is usually not enough to break it loose. | Required | shop |
| Oil filter cartridge cap socket 32 mm / 1-1/4 in low-profile cap socket (3.0L Duramax only) — verify fit Removes the top-mounted plastic cartridge filter housing cap on the LM2 diesel. | Required | shop |
| Torque wrench 3/8 in drive, 10-80 ft-lb range Sets the drain plug (and diesel filter cap) to spec — the aluminum-pan threads and plastic cap strip easily. | Required | shop |
| Funnel Long-neck or flexible-spout The fill cap sits in a tight spot; a bare bottle spills oil on the intake and shrouds. | Required | shop |
| Engine oil 0W-20 dexos1 Gen 3 (2.7L, 5.3L, 6.2L): 6.0 qt for 2.7L, 8.0 qt for 5.3L/6.2L. 0W-20 dexos D (3.0L Duramax): approx. 7.4 qt Correct spec oil; dexos D is required on the diesel and is not interchangeable with dexos1. | Parts | shop |
| Oil filter PF66 (2.7L L3B), PF63 (5.3L L84 / 6.2L L87), PF64 cartridge (3.0L LM2) — confirm by VIN Each engine family uses a different filter; the diesel is a cartridge with new O-rings in the box. | Parts | shop |
| Drain plug washer/gasket Crush washer or gasketed plug per engine Reused washers are the most common cause of a weeping drain plug. | Consumables | shop |
| Nitrile gloves Hot used oil and diesel soot are hard on skin. | Safety | shop |
| Safety glasses Protects your eyes from dripping oil while working overhead. | Safety | shop |
| Shop towels Wipe the filter mount, pan flange and any spills. | Consumables | shop |
| Brake/parts cleaner Non-chlorinated Cleans oil off the crossmember and undertray so you can spot future leaks. | Consumables | shop |
| Oil extractor (optional) 6-8 L fluid extractor Lets you pull oil through the dipstick tube on the 3.0L Duramax and skip lifting the truck entirely. | Recommended | shop |
| Creeper or cardboard Keeps you off the ground while draining and reaching the filter. | Recommended | shop |
2.7L L3B: 6.0 qt 0W-20 dexos1 Gen 3, PF66 spin-on filter, 15 mm drain plug. 5.3L L84 and 6.2L L87: 8.0 qt 0W-20 dexos1 Gen 3, PF63 spin-on filter, 15 mm drain plug torqued to 18 ft-lb. 3.0L LM2 Duramax: about 7.4 qt 0W-20 dexos D, PF64 top-mounted cartridge filter needing a cap socket (roughly 32 mm — verify fit), and no spin-on filter at all.
| Oil pan drain plug (5.3L L84 / 6.2L L87) | 18 ft-lb (25 Nm) |
| Oil pan drain plug (2.7L L3B) | verify in the service manual (approx. 18 ft-lb / 25 Nm) |
| Oil pan drain plug (3.0L LM2 Duramax) | verify in the service manual |
| Spin-on oil filter (PF63 / PF66) | verify in the service manual — otherwise hand-tighten 3/4 turn after gasket contact |
| Oil filter housing cap (3.0L LM2) | verify in the service manual (plastic cap — do not overtighten) |
| Front undertray / splash shield bolts | Snug only, approx. 4-6 ft-lb |
The 15 mm drain plug, 8-quart V8 capacity, 0W-20 dexos1 Gen 3 spec and PF63/PF66 filter applications are solid for this generation; double-check your filter part number and the 3.0L Duramax cap socket size and torque against the owner's manual or a parts lookup for your VIN.
8.0 quarts with a new filter on the L84 5.3L, and the same 8.0 quarts on the 6.2L L87. Add about 7.5 quarts first, run the engine briefly, then top up to the dipstick's upper mark.
A 15 mm six-point socket on the 2.7L, 5.3L and 6.2L. Use a torque wrench and a fresh washer — the pan is aluminum and 18 ft-lb is all it needs.
No. The LM2 diesel requires 0W-20 meeting dexos D. Gasoline-spec dexos1 oil has additive levels that can foul the DPF and could be treated as a warranty issue.
With the engine off and ignition on, use the driver information center: Vehicle Information (or Oil Life) and hold the set/reset button until it reads 100%. If your trim has no menu option, press the accelerator fully to the floor three times within five seconds with the ignition on and the engine off.