1987 GMC Caballero Oil Type & Capacity
The 1987 GMC Caballero oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 4.3 Z, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 4.3 Z, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Diablo, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 4.3 Z, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 4.3 Z, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Diablo, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4.3 Z, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Base, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Diablo, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Diablo, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Diablo, 4.3 Z, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Diablo, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Diablo, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), 30 (40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Caballero
🛞 1987 GMC Caballero Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1987 GMC Caballero Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1987 GMC Caballero Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1987 GMC Caballero Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
13.2 quarts (12.49 L) — 56/44 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water. GM Specification 1825-M.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1987 GMC Caballero take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 uses 5W-30; Base, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 uses 5W-30; Base, 4.3 Z, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Base, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 uses 5W-30; Base, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Diablo, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 uses 5W-30; Diablo, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 uses 5W-30; Diablo, 4.3 Z, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Diablo, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 uses 5W-30; Diablo, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 1987 GMC Caballero?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Base, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Base, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Base, 4.3 Z, 700R4/MD8 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Base, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 4.3 Z, 700R4/MD8 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Diablo, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1987 GMC Caballero?
Most 1987 GMC Caballero 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 — GMC recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1987 GMC Caballero?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1987 GMC Caballero. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.