1988 Chevrolet Cavalier Oil Type & Capacity
The 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier takes 5W-30 motor oil — 4.0 quarts with a filter change, per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
5W-30 — 4.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 2D Coupe, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 2D Coupe, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, 2.0 1, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, 2.0 1, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, 2.8 W, Automatic — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, 2.8 W, Standard — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| RS, 2D Coupe, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| RS, 2D Coupe, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| RS, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| RS, 4D Sedan, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| VL, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| VL, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Z24, 2D Convertible, Automatic — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Z24, 2D Convertible, Standard — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Z24, 2D Coupe, Automatic — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Z24, 2D Coupe, Standard — 2.8L 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 Cavalier
1988 Chevrolet Cavalier factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
9.6 quarts (9.08 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 Cavalier take?
The 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier takes 5W-30 motor oil (SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F)), per the factory service manual.
How much oil does a 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier take?
The 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier holds 4.0 quarts with a filter change.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.
Other Chevrolet Cavalier years
2005 Cavalier2004 Cavalier2003 Cavalier2002 Cavalier2001 Cavalier2000 Cavalier1999 Cavalier1998 Cavalier1997 Cavalier1996 Cavalier1995 Cavalier1994 Cavalier1993 Cavalier1992 Cavalier1991 Cavalier1990 Cavalier1989 Cavalier1987 Cavalier1986 Cavalier1985 Cavalier1984 Cavalier1983 Cavalier
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