1988 Dodge Dakota Oil Type & Capacity
The 1988 Dodge Dakota oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 2.2 C takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 3.9 X, 4WD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 3.9 X, 4WD, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 3.9 X, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 3.9 X, RWD, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the S takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, 4WD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, 4WD, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, RWD, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 2.2 C: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.9 X, 4WD, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.9 X, 4WD, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.9 X, RWD, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.9 X, RWD, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- S: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Sport, 4WD, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Sport, 4WD, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Sport, RWD, Automatic: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Sport, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 2.2 C — 2.2L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 30 (Above 20Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Base, 3.9 X, 4WD, Automatic — 3.9L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 30 (Above 20Deg.F) | — | 5.00 QTS. | — |
| Base, 3.9 X, 4WD, Standard — 3.9L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 30 (Above 20Deg.F) | — | 5.00 QTS. | — |
| Base, 3.9 X, RWD, Automatic — 3.9L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 30 (Above 20Deg.F) | — | 5.00 QTS. | — |
| Base, 3.9 X, RWD, Standard — 3.9L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 30 (Above 20Deg.F) | — | 5.00 QTS. | — |
| S — 2.2L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 30 (Above 20Deg.F) | — | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Sport, 4WD, Automatic — 3.9L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 30 (Above 20Deg.F) | — | 5.00 QTS. | — |
| Sport, 4WD, Standard — 3.9L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 30 (Above 20Deg.F) | — | 5.00 QTS. | — |
| Sport, RWD, Automatic — 3.9L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 30 (Above 20Deg.F) | — | 5.00 QTS. | — |
| Sport, RWD, Standard — 3.9L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 30 (Above 20Deg.F) | — | 5.00 QTS. | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Dakota
🛞 1988 Dodge Dakota Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1988 Dodge Dakota Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1988 Dodge Dakota Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1988 Dodge Dakota Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
9.8 quarts (9.27 L) — Mopar P/N 4267020, PRESTONE II, PEAK, or antifreeze containing the ALUGARD 340-2 inhibitor system.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1988 Dodge Dakota take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 2.2 C uses 5W-30; Base, 3.9 X, 4WD, Automatic uses 5W-30; Base, 3.9 X, 4WD, Standard uses 5W-30; Base, 3.9 X, RWD, Automatic uses 5W-30; Base, 3.9 X, RWD, Standard uses 5W-30; S uses 5W-30; Sport, 4WD, Automatic uses 5W-30; Sport, 4WD, Standard uses 5W-30; Sport, RWD, Automatic uses 5W-30; Sport, RWD, Standard uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 1988 Dodge Dakota?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Base, 2.2 C holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.9 X, 4WD, Automatic holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.9 X, 4WD, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.9 X, RWD, Automatic holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.9 X, RWD, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; S holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Sport, 4WD, Automatic holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Sport, 4WD, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Sport, RWD, Automatic holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Sport, RWD, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1988 Dodge Dakota?
Most 1988 Dodge Dakota 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 — Dodge recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1988 Dodge Dakota?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1988 Dodge Dakota. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.