1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer Oil Type & Capacity
The 1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer oil type depends on the engine: the 2.5 E, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5 E, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts qt with filter); the 2.8 R, 4WD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the 2.8 R, 4WD, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the 2.8 R, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the 2.8 R, RWD, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the 4.3 Z, 4WD takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 4.3 Z, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the 4.3 Z, RWD, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- 2.5 E, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- 2.5 E, Standard: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- 2.8 R, 4WD, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- 2.8 R, 4WD, Standard: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- 2.8 R, RWD, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- 2.8 R, RWD, Standard: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- 4.3 Z, 4WD: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 4.3 Z, RWD, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 4.3 Z, RWD, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 E, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (Above 40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| 2.5 E, Standard — 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (Above 40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| 2.8 R, 4WD, Automatic — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (Above 40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| 2.8 R, 4WD, Standard — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (Above 40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| 2.8 R, RWD, Automatic — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (Above 40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| 2.8 R, RWD, Standard — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (Above 40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| 4.3 Z, 4WD — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (Above 40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| 4.3 Z, RWD, Automatic — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (Above 40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| 4.3 Z, RWD, Standard — 4.3L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to over 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (Above 40Deg.F to over 100Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your S10 Blazer
🛞 1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
11.5 quarts (10.88 L) — 56/44 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water. GM Specification 1825-M.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer take?
It depends on the engine: 2.5 E, Automatic uses 5W-30; 2.5 E, Standard uses 5W-30; 2.8 R, 4WD, Automatic uses 5W-30; 2.8 R, 4WD, Standard uses 5W-30; 2.8 R, RWD, Automatic uses 5W-30; 2.8 R, RWD, Standard uses 5W-30; 4.3 Z, 4WD uses 5W-30; 4.3 Z, RWD, Automatic uses 5W-30; 4.3 Z, RWD, Standard uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: 2.5 E, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; 2.5 E, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; 2.8 R, 4WD, Automatic holds 4.5 quarts with filter; 2.8 R, 4WD, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; 2.8 R, RWD, Automatic holds 4.5 quarts with filter; 2.8 R, RWD, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; 4.3 Z, 4WD holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 4.3 Z, RWD, Automatic holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 4.3 Z, RWD, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer?
Most 1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer 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 — Chevrolet recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1988 Chevrolet S10 Blazer. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.