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 with filter); the Base, 3.8 9, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts with filter); the Diablo, 3.8 9 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Diablo, 3.8 A, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Diablo, 3.8 A, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Diablo, 5.0 H, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Diablo, 5.0 H, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Diablo, 5.7 N, 250C/M31 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts with filter); the Diablo, 5.7 N, 350C/MX2 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts 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. |
Buy the right oil
Buy 10W-30 motor oil on Amazon1983 GMC Caballero oil filter on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More specs & repair guides for your Caballero
1983 GMC Caballero factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site 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.
How much oil does a 1983 GMC Caballero take?
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.
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.