1986 Chevrolet Nova Oil Type & Capacity
The 1986 Chevrolet Nova takes 5W-30 motor oil — 3.5 quarts with a filter change, per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
5W-30 — 3.5 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 4D Hatchback, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 3.20 QTS. | — |
| Base, 4D Hatchback, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 3.20 QTS. | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 3.20 QTS. | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 3.20 QTS. | — |
| CL, 4D Hatchback, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 3.20 QTS. | — |
| CL, 4D Hatchback, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 3.20 QTS. | — |
| CL, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 3.20 QTS. | — |
| CL, 4D Sedan, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 3.20 QTS. | — |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Nova
1986 Chevrolet Nova factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
6.3 quarts (5.96 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water. GM Specification 1825-M.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1986 Chevrolet Nova take?
The 1986 Chevrolet Nova takes 5W-30 motor oil (SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F)), per the factory service manual.
How much oil does a 1986 Chevrolet Nova take?
The 1986 Chevrolet Nova holds 3.5 quarts with a filter change, or 3.2 quarts without changing the filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1986 Chevrolet Nova?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1986 Chevrolet Nova. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.