1987 Pontiac Grand Prix Oil Type & Capacity
The 1987 Pontiac Grand Prix oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 3.8 A takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 5.0 H takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Brougham, 3.8 A takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Brougham, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Brougham, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Brougham, 5.0 H takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the LE, 3.8 A takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the LE, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the LE, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the LE, 5.0 H takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 3.8 A: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 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, 5.0 H: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Brougham, 3.8 A: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Brougham, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Brougham, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Brougham, 5.0 H: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- LE, 3.8 A: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- LE, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- LE, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- LE, 5.0 H: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 3.8 A — 3.8L 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) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Base, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 — 4.3L 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) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 — 4.3L 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) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 5.0 H — 5.0L 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) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Brougham, 3.8 A — 3.8L 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) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Brougham, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 — 4.3L 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) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Brougham, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 — 4.3L 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) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Brougham, 5.0 H — 5.0L 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) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| LE, 3.8 A — 3.8L 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) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| LE, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 — 4.3L 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) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| LE, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 — 4.3L 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) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| LE, 5.0 H — 5.0L 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) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
Buy the right oil
Buy 5W-30 motor oil on Amazon1987 Pontiac Grand Prix oil filter on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More specs & repair guides for your Grand Prix
1987 Pontiac Grand Prix factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
12.9 quarts (12.2 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water. GM Specification 1825-M.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1987 Pontiac Grand Prix take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 3.8 A uses 5W-30; Base, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 uses 5W-30; Base, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 uses 5W-30; Base, 5.0 H uses 5W-30; Brougham, 3.8 A uses 5W-30; Brougham, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 uses 5W-30; Brougham, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 uses 5W-30; Brougham, 5.0 H uses 5W-30; LE, 3.8 A uses 5W-30; LE, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 uses 5W-30; LE, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 uses 5W-30; LE, 5.0 H uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 1987 Pontiac Grand Prix take?
Capacity depends on the engine: Base, 3.8 A holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 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, 5.0 H holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Brougham, 3.8 A holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Brougham, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Brougham, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Brougham, 5.0 H holds 5.0 quarts with filter; LE, 3.8 A holds 5.0 quarts with filter; LE, 4.3 Z, 200-4R/MW9 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; LE, 4.3 Z, 200C/MV9 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; LE, 5.0 H holds 5.0 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1987 Pontiac Grand Prix?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1987 Pontiac Grand Prix. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.