1985 Buick Electra Oil Type & Capacity
The 1985 Buick Electra oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 2D Coupe, 3.8 3 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 2D Coupe, 4.3 T takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 4D Sedan, 3.8 3 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 4D Sedan, 4.3 T takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Park Avenue, 2D Coupe, 3.8 3 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Park Avenue, 2D Coupe, 4.3 T takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts with filter); the Park Avenue, 4D Sedan, 3.8 3 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Park Avenue, 4D Sedan, 4.3 T takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts with filter); the T-Type, 2D Coupe takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the T-Type, 4D Sedan takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 2D Coupe, 3.8 3: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 2D Coupe, 4.3 T: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 4D Sedan, 3.8 3: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 4D Sedan, 4.3 T: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Park Avenue, 2D Coupe, 3.8 3: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Park Avenue, 2D Coupe, 4.3 T: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- Park Avenue, 4D Sedan, 3.8 3: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Park Avenue, 4D Sedan, 4.3 T: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- T-Type, 2D Coupe: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- T-Type, 4D Sedan: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 2D Coupe, 3.8 3 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to Below -20Deg.F) 10W-30 (Preferred) or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (15Deg.F to Above100Deg.F), 20W-20, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 2D Coupe, 4.3 T — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to Below -20Deg.F) 10W-30 (Preferred) or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (15Deg.F to Above100Deg.F), 20W-20, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, 3.8 3 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to Below -20Deg.F) 10W-30 (Preferred) or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (15Deg.F to Above100Deg.F), 20W-20, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, 4.3 T — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to Below -20Deg.F) 10W-30 (Preferred) or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (15Deg.F to Above100Deg.F), 20W-20, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Park Avenue, 2D Coupe, 3.8 3 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to Below -20Deg.F) 10W-30 (Preferred) or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (15Deg.F to Above100Deg.F), 20W-20, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Park Avenue, 2D Coupe, 4.3 T — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to Below -20Deg.F) 10W-30 (Preferred) or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (15Deg.F to Above100Deg.F), 20W-20, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Park Avenue, 4D Sedan, 3.8 3 — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to Below -20Deg.F) 10W-30 (Preferred) or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (15Deg.F to Above100Deg.F), 20W-20, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Park Avenue, 4D Sedan, 4.3 T — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to Below -20Deg.F) 10W-30 (Preferred) or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (15Deg.F to Above100Deg.F), 20W-20, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| T-Type, 2D Coupe — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to Below -20Deg.F) 10W-30 (Preferred) or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (15Deg.F to Above100Deg.F), 20W-20, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| T-Type, 4D Sedan — 3.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (60Deg.F to Below -20Deg.F) 10W-30 (Preferred) or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (15Deg.F to Above100Deg.F), 20W-20, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Electra
1985 Buick Electra factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
13.5 quarts (12.77 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water. GM Specification 1825-M.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1985 Buick Electra take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 2D Coupe, 3.8 3 uses 5W-30; Base, 2D Coupe, 4.3 T uses 5W-30; Base, 4D Sedan, 3.8 3 uses 5W-30; Base, 4D Sedan, 4.3 T uses 5W-30; Park Avenue, 2D Coupe, 3.8 3 uses 5W-30; Park Avenue, 2D Coupe, 4.3 T uses 5W-30; Park Avenue, 4D Sedan, 3.8 3 uses 5W-30; Park Avenue, 4D Sedan, 4.3 T uses 5W-30; T-Type, 2D Coupe uses 5W-30; T-Type, 4D Sedan uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 1985 Buick Electra take?
Capacity depends on the engine: Base, 2D Coupe, 3.8 3 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Base, 2D Coupe, 4.3 T holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Base, 4D Sedan, 3.8 3 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Base, 4D Sedan, 4.3 T holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Park Avenue, 2D Coupe, 3.8 3 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Park Avenue, 2D Coupe, 4.3 T holds 6.0 quarts with filter; Park Avenue, 4D Sedan, 3.8 3 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Park Avenue, 4D Sedan, 4.3 T holds 6.0 quarts with filter; T-Type, 2D Coupe holds 4.0 quarts with filter; T-Type, 4D Sedan holds 4.0 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1985 Buick Electra?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1985 Buick Electra. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.