1988 GMC S15 Jimmy Oil Type & Capacity
The 1988 GMC S15 Jimmy oil type depends on the engine: the 2.5 E, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the 2.5 E, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the 2.8 R, 4WD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the 2.8 R, 4WD, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the 2.8 R, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the 2.8 R, RWD, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the 4.3 Z, 4WD takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the 4.3 Z, RWD takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts 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: 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 — 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. | — |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your S15 Jimmy
1988 GMC S15 Jimmy factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site 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 GMC S15 Jimmy 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 uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 1988 GMC S15 Jimmy take?
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 holds 5.0 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1988 GMC S15 Jimmy?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1988 GMC S15 Jimmy. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.