1983 Nissan 280ZX Oil Type & Capacity
The 1983 Nissan 280ZX oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 2.8 C, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.85 quarts with filter); the Base, 2.8 C, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.85 quarts with filter); the Base, 2.8 H, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.1 quarts with filter); the Base, 2.8 H, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.1 quarts with filter); the GL, 2.8 C, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.85 quarts with filter); the GL, 2.8 C, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.85 quarts with filter); the GL, 2.8 H, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.1 quarts with filter); the GL, 2.8 H, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.1 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 2.8 C, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.85 quarts with filter
- Base, 2.8 C, Standard: 5W-30, 5.85 quarts with filter
- Base, 2.8 H, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.1 quarts with filter
- Base, 2.8 H, Standard: 5W-30, 5.1 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.8 C, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.85 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.8 C, Standard: 5W-30, 5.85 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.8 H, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.1 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.8 H, Standard: 5W-30, 5.1 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 2.8 C, Automatic — Turbocharger | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40, (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.85 QTS. | 5.35 QTS. | — |
| Base, 2.8 C, Standard — Turbocharger | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40, (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.85 QTS. | 5.35 QTS. | — |
| Base, 2.8 H, Automatic — Normally Aspirated | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40, (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.10 QTS. | 4.60 QTS. | — |
| Base, 2.8 H, Standard — Normally Aspirated | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40, (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.10 QTS. | 4.60 QTS. | — |
| GL, 2.8 C, Automatic — Turbocharger | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40, (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.85 QTS. | 5.35 QTS. | — |
| GL, 2.8 C, Standard — Turbocharger | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40, (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.85 QTS. | 5.35 QTS. | — |
| GL, 2.8 H, Automatic — Normally Aspirated | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40, (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.10 QTS. | 4.60 QTS. | — |
| GL, 2.8 H, Standard — Normally Aspirated | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40, (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.10 QTS. | 4.60 QTS. | — |
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More specs & repair guides for your 280ZX
1983 Nissan 280ZX factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
11.1 quarts (10.5 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1983 Nissan 280ZX take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 2.8 C, Automatic uses 5W-30; Base, 2.8 C, Standard uses 5W-30; Base, 2.8 H, Automatic uses 5W-30; Base, 2.8 H, Standard uses 5W-30; GL, 2.8 C, Automatic uses 5W-30; GL, 2.8 C, Standard uses 5W-30; GL, 2.8 H, Automatic uses 5W-30; GL, 2.8 H, Standard uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 1983 Nissan 280ZX take?
Capacity depends on the engine: Base, 2.8 C, Automatic holds 5.85 quarts with filter; Base, 2.8 C, Standard holds 5.85 quarts with filter; Base, 2.8 H, Automatic holds 5.1 quarts with filter; Base, 2.8 H, Standard holds 5.1 quarts with filter; GL, 2.8 C, Automatic holds 5.85 quarts with filter; GL, 2.8 C, Standard holds 5.85 quarts with filter; GL, 2.8 H, Automatic holds 5.1 quarts with filter; GL, 2.8 H, Standard holds 5.1 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1983 Nissan 280ZX?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1983 Nissan 280ZX. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.