1986 Pontiac Sunbird Oil Type & Capacity: 5W-30 (5.0 quarts)
The 1986 Pontiac Sunbird takes 5W-30 motor oil — 5.0 quarts with a filter change, per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
5W-30 — 5.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 4D Sedan, 1.8 0, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, 1.8 0, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, 1.8 J, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, 1.8 J, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Convertible, 1.8 0, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Convertible, 1.8 0, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Convertible, 1.8 J, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Convertible, 1.8 J, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Coupe, 1.8 0, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Coupe, 1.8 0, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Coupe, 1.8 J, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Coupe, 1.8 J, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Hatchback, 1.8 0, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Hatchback, 1.8 0, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Hatchback, 1.8 J, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 2D Hatchback, 1.8 J, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 4D Sedan, 1.8 0, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 4D Sedan, 1.8 0, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 4D Sedan, 1.8 J, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 4D Sedan, 1.8 J, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| GT, 4D Sedan, 2.0 P — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| LE, 4D Sedan, 1.8 0, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| LE, 4D Sedan, 1.8 0, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| LE, 4D Sedan, 1.8 J, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| LE, 4D Sedan, 1.8 J, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| LE, 4D Wagon, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| LE, 4D Wagon, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Convertible, 1.8 0, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Convertible, 1.8 0, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Convertible, 1.8 J, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Convertible, 1.8 J, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Coupe, 1.8 0, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Coupe, 1.8 0, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Coupe, 1.8 J, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Coupe, 1.8 J, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Hatchback, 1.8 0, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Hatchback, 1.8 0, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Hatchback, 1.8 J, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Hatchback, 1.8 J, Standard — 1.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Sunbird
🛞 1986 Pontiac Sunbird Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1986 Pontiac Sunbird Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1986 Pontiac Sunbird Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1986 Pontiac Sunbird Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
7.9 quarts (7.47 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 Pontiac Sunbird take?
The 1986 Pontiac Sunbird takes 5W-30 motor oil (SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 15W-30 (10Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F)), per the factory service manual.
What is the oil capacity of a 1986 Pontiac Sunbird?
The 1986 Pontiac Sunbird oil capacity is 5.0 quarts with a filter change, or 4.5 quarts without changing the filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1986 Pontiac Sunbird?
Most 1986 Pontiac Sunbird 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 — Pontiac recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1986 Pontiac Sunbird?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.
Other Pontiac Sunbird years
1994 Sunbird1993 Sunbird1992 Sunbird1991 Sunbird1990 Sunbird1989 Sunbird1988 Sunbird1987 Sunbird1985 Sunbird