1988 Plymouth Colt Oil Type & Capacity
The 1988 Plymouth Colt oil type depends on the engine: the Base takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.5 K, Automatic takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.5 K, Standard takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 F, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts with filter); the DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 F, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts with filter); the DL, 4D Sedan, 1.5 K, Automatic takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the DL, 4D Sedan, 1.5 K, Standard takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the DL, 4D Sedan, 1.6 F, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts with filter); the DL, 4D Sedan, 1.6 F, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts with filter); the DL, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the DL, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the E, 2D Hatchback takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the E, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the E, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the Premier, 1.5 K, Automatic takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the Premier, 1.5 K, Standard takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts with filter); the Premier, 1.6 F, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts with filter); the Premier, 1.6 F, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.5 K, Automatic: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.5 K, Standard: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 F, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 F, Standard: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 4D Sedan, 1.5 K, Automatic: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 4D Sedan, 1.5 K, Standard: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 4D Sedan, 1.6 F, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 4D Sedan, 1.6 F, Standard: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 4D Wagon, Automatic: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 4D Wagon, Standard: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- E, 2D Hatchback: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- E, 4D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- E, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- Premier, 1.5 K, Automatic: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- Premier, 1.5 K, Standard: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- Premier, 1.6 F, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- Premier, 1.6 F, Standard: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.5 K, Automatic — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.5 K, Standard — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 F, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 F, Standard — 1.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| DL, 4D Sedan, 1.5 K, Automatic — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| DL, 4D Sedan, 1.5 K, Standard — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| DL, 4D Sedan, 1.6 F, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| DL, 4D Sedan, 1.6 F, Standard — 1.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| DL, 4D Wagon, Automatic — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| DL, 4D Wagon, Standard — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| E, 2D Hatchback — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| E, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| E, 4D Sedan, Standard — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| Premier, 1.5 K, Automatic — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| Premier, 1.5 K, Standard — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| Premier, 1.6 F, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Premier, 1.6 F, Standard — 1.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above 0Deg.F), 15W-40 (Above 10Deg. F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to 80Deg. F), 20W-40/50/30 (Above 20Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
Buy the right oil
Buy 5W-20 motor oil on Amazon1988 Plymouth Colt oil filter on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More specs & repair guides for your Colt
1988 Plymouth Colt factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
5.3 quarts (5.01 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water. Includes: .69 qt. in reserve tank.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1988 Plymouth Colt take?
It depends on the engine: Base uses 5W-20; DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.5 K, Automatic uses 5W-20; DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.5 K, Standard uses 5W-20; DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 F, Automatic uses 5W-20; DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 F, Standard uses 5W-20; DL, 4D Sedan, 1.5 K, Automatic uses 5W-20; DL, 4D Sedan, 1.5 K, Standard uses 5W-20; DL, 4D Sedan, 1.6 F, Automatic uses 5W-20; DL, 4D Sedan, 1.6 F, Standard uses 5W-20; DL, 4D Wagon, Automatic uses 5W-20; DL, 4D Wagon, Standard uses 5W-20; E, 2D Hatchback uses 5W-20; E, 4D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-20; E, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-20; Premier, 1.5 K, Automatic uses 5W-20; Premier, 1.5 K, Standard uses 5W-20; Premier, 1.6 F, Automatic uses 5W-20; Premier, 1.6 F, Standard uses 5W-20.
How much oil does a 1988 Plymouth Colt take?
Capacity depends on the engine: Base holds 3.5 quarts with filter; DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.5 K, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.5 K, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 F, Automatic holds 4.5 quarts with filter; DL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 F, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; DL, 4D Sedan, 1.5 K, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; DL, 4D Sedan, 1.5 K, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; DL, 4D Sedan, 1.6 F, Automatic holds 4.5 quarts with filter; DL, 4D Sedan, 1.6 F, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; DL, 4D Wagon, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; DL, 4D Wagon, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; E, 2D Hatchback holds 3.5 quarts with filter; E, 4D Sedan, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; E, 4D Sedan, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; Premier, 1.5 K, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; Premier, 1.5 K, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; Premier, 1.6 F, Automatic holds 4.5 quarts with filter; Premier, 1.6 F, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1988 Plymouth Colt?
Yes. 5W-20 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1988 Plymouth Colt. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.