1988 Chevrolet Caprice Oil Type & Capacity
The 1988 Chevrolet Caprice oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 4.3 Z takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Brougham LS, 4.3 Z takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Brougham LS, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Brougham LS, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Brougham, 4.3 Z takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Brougham, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Brougham, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Classic, 4D Sedan, 4.3 Z takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Classic, 4D Sedan, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Classic, 4D Sedan, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Classic, 4D Wagon takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 4.3 Z: 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
- Brougham LS, 4.3 Z: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Brougham LS, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Brougham LS, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Brougham, 4.3 Z: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Brougham, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Brougham, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Classic, 4D Sedan, 4.3 Z: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Classic, 4D Sedan, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Classic, 4D Sedan, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Classic, 4D Wagon: 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 — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Base, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Brougham LS, 4.3 Z — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Brougham LS, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Brougham LS, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Brougham, 4.3 Z — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Brougham, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Brougham, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Classic, 4D Sedan, 4.3 Z — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Classic, 4D Sedan, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Classic, 4D Sedan, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Classic, 4D Wagon — 5.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Caprice
1988 Chevrolet Caprice factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
12.2 quarts (11.54 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water. GM Specification 1825-M.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 4.3 Z uses 5W-30; Base, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 uses 5W-30; Base, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Brougham LS, 4.3 Z uses 5W-30; Brougham LS, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 uses 5W-30; Brougham LS, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Brougham, 4.3 Z uses 5W-30; Brougham, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 uses 5W-30; Brougham, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Classic, 4D Sedan, 4.3 Z uses 5W-30; Classic, 4D Sedan, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 uses 5W-30; Classic, 4D Sedan, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Classic, 4D Wagon uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice take?
Capacity depends on the engine: Base, 4.3 Z 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; Brougham LS, 4.3 Z holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Brougham LS, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Brougham LS, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Brougham, 4.3 Z holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Brougham, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Brougham, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Classic, 4D Sedan, 4.3 Z holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Classic, 4D Sedan, 5.0 H, 200-4R/MW9 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Classic, 4D Sedan, 5.0 H, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Classic, 4D Wagon holds 5.0 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1988 Chevrolet Caprice?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.