1983 GMC Caballero Oil Type & Capacity
The 1983 GMC Caballero oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 3.8 9 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 3.8 9, 250C/M31: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.8 A, 250C/M31: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 5.0 H, 250C/M31: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 5.7 N, 250C/M31: 10W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2: 10W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 3.8 9: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 3.8 A, 250C/M31: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 5.0 H, 250C/M31: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2: 10W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 5.7 N, 250C/M31: 10W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2: 10W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 — V6 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Base, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 — V6 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Base, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 — V6 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Base, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 — V6 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Base, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 — V8 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Base, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 — V8 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Base, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 — V8,Diesel | SAE 10W-30 | 7.00 QTS. | — | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Base, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 — V8 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Base, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 — V8,Diesel | SAE 10W-30 | 7.00 QTS. | — | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Base, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 — V8 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Diablo, 3.8 9 — V6 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Diablo, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 — V6 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Diablo, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 — V6 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Diablo, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 — V8 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Diablo, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 — V8 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Diablo, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 — V8,Diesel | SAE 10W-30 | 7.00 QTS. | — | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Diablo, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 — V8 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Diablo, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 — V8,Diesel | SAE 10W-30 | 7.00 QTS. | — | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
| Diablo, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 — V8 | SAE 10W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | Use oil that has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute. |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Caballero
🛞 1983 GMC Caballero Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1983 GMC Caballero Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1983 GMC Caballero Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1983 GMC Caballero Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
15.0 quarts (14.19 L) — 56/44 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water. GM Specification 1825-M.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1983 GMC Caballero take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 uses 10W-30; Base, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 uses 10W-30; Base, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 uses 10W-30; Base, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 uses 10W-30; Base, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 uses 10W-30; Base, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 uses 10W-30; Base, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 uses 10W-30; Base, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 uses 10W-30; Diablo, 3.8 9 uses 10W-30; Diablo, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 uses 10W-30; Diablo, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 uses 10W-30; Diablo, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 uses 10W-30; Diablo, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 uses 10W-30; Diablo, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 uses 10W-30; Diablo, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 uses 10W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 1983 GMC Caballero?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Base, 3.8 9, 250C/M31 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; Base, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 3.8 9 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 holds 7.0 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1983 GMC Caballero?
Most 1983 GMC Caballero owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — GMC recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1983 GMC Caballero?
Yes. 10W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1983 GMC Caballero. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.