--- title: "2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox Transmission Fluid & Coolant" description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: Dexron VI ATF, 6-speed automatic (6T45 with the 2.4L, 6T70 with the V6s). A pan drain-and-fill takes roughly 4-5 qt; GM lists fluid replacement at 45,000 mi only for severe service. Coolant: Dex-Cool (orange, 50/50 pre-mix). Change at 150,000 mi / 5 years." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/fluids" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox Fluid Types and Capacities Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: Dexron VI ATF, 6-speed automatic (6T45 with the 2.4L, 6T70 with the V6s). A pan drain-and-fill takes roughly 4-5 qt; GM lists fluid replacement at 45,000 mi only for severe service. Coolant: Dex-Cool (orange, 50/50 pre-mix). Change at 150,000 mi / 5 years. ## 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox fluid guide (Check your manual) | System | Fluid type & capacity | | --- | --- | | Coolant | Dex-Cool (orange, 50/50 pre-mix). Change at 150,000 mi / 5 years | | Transmission | Dexron VI ATF, 6-speed automatic (6T45 with the 2.4L, 6T70 with the V6s). A pan drain-and-fill takes roughly 4-5 qt; GM lists fluid replacement at 45,000 mi only for severe service | | Brake fluid | DOT 3 brake fluid | | Power steering | 2.4L: none (electric power steering). V6 models use hydraulic steering. GM power steering fluid | | Differential | AWD rear drive module: SAE 75W-90 synthetic gear oil; inspect/replace at 45,000-mi intervals under severe service | Note: Plain washer fluid; no special spec ## Which Chevrolet Equinox model years does this cover? These fluids specifications apply to every Chevrolet Equinox built from 2012 through 2017, the 2nd generation, compact/mid-size crossover suv (theta platform). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012) - [2013 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2013) - [2014 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2014) - [2015 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2015) - [2016 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2016) - [2017 Equinox](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2017) ## What changed during the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Last year for the 3.0L LFW V6 option | | 2013 | 3.6L LFX V6 (301 hp) replaces the 3.0L; MyLink touchscreen infotainment added | | 2016 | Facelift begins: new projector-beam headlights across the lineup with LED running lamps on LT/LTZ; Teen Driver mode and an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot added GM-wide this model year | | 2016-2017 | Facelift: new front/rear fascias, grille and wheels; mechanical specs (oil, filters, wipers, bulbs) carry over unchanged | | 2017 | Final year of the 2nd generation: carries over with minimal changes after 2016's refresh; LTZ trim renamed Premier, new Midnight Edition and Sport appearance packages added | ## 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox fluids: common questions ### What transmission fluid does a 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox take? Dexron VI ATF, 6-speed automatic (6T45 with the 2.4L, 6T70 with the V6s). A pan drain-and-fill takes roughly 4-5 qt; GM lists fluid replacement at 45,000 mi only for severe service. Transmission fluid specifications are not interchangeable. Friction modifiers differ between them, and the wrong fluid causes shudder long before it causes failure. ### What coolant does a 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox use? Dex-Cool (orange, 50/50 pre-mix). Change at 150,000 mi / 5 years. ### What brake fluid does a 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox take? DOT 3 brake fluid. ### What differential fluid does a 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox take? AWD rear drive module: SAE 75W-90 synthetic gear oil; inspect/replace at 45,000-mi intervals under severe service. ## Sources - [AMSOIL product lookup, 2013 Equinox 2.4L LEA (oil viscosity/capacity/torque)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2013/chevrolet/equinox/2-4l-4-cyl-engine-code-k-lea-k-flex/) - [AMSOIL product lookup, 2015 Equinox 3.6L LFX (6 qt, 5W-30)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2015/chevrolet/equinox/3-6l-6-cyl-engine-code-3-lfx-4/) - [NHTSA TSB library, GM Special Coverage N192291100, excessive oil consumption](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10171430-9999.pdf) - [ClassAction.org, Equinox/Terrain oil-consumption settlement details (SCA 15285)](https://www.classaction.org/blog/settlement-reached-in-class-action-over-chevy-equinox-gmc-terrain-oil-consumption-here-are-the-details) - [NHTSA recall 16V-582, 2013 Equinox windshield wiper motor](https://auto-recalls.justia.com/chevrolet/equinox/2013/16v582000/index.html) - [NHTSA recall report 22V-165, 2014-2015 Equinox/Terrain wiper module](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2022/RCLRPT-22V165-9528.PDF) - [TirePressure.org, 2013 Equinox placard tire sizes and pressures](https://tirepressure.org/chevrolet/equinox/2013) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2014 Equinox EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2014_Chevrolet_Equinox.shtml) - [FinditParts, ACDelco PF457G cross-reference (Wix 57082, Baldwin P7442)](https://www.finditparts.com/products/3862532/acdelco-pf457g) - [TerrainForum, GM bulletin on ACDelco PF63E filter for high-feature V6](https://www.terrainforum.net/threads/pf-63-oil-filter-info.10938/) - [Turan-Foley Chevrolet, Equinox lug nut torque (140 lb-ft) by year](https://www.turanfoley.com/blogs/7280/chevy-equinox-lug-nut-torque-research/) ## Other Chevrolet Equinox generations - [2025 Chevrolet Equinox fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2025/fluids) - [2018-2024 Chevrolet Equinox fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2018-2024/fluids) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/fluids). ## More for the 2012-2017 Chevrolet Equinox - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/brakes) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2012-2017/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.