1990 Dodge Colt Oil Type & Capacity
The 1990 Dodge Colt oil type depends on the engine: the Base takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts qt with filter); the DL, 1.5 X, Automatic takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts qt with filter); the DL, 1.5 X, Standard takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts qt with filter); the DL, 1.8 T takes 5W-20 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the GL, Automatic takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts qt with filter); the GL, Standard takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 1.5 X, Automatic takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 1.5 X, Standard takes 5W-20 (3.5 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 1.6 Y, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 1.6 Y, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.5 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 1.5 X, Automatic: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 1.5 X, Standard: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- DL, 1.8 T: 5W-20, 4.0 quarts with filter
- GL, Automatic: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- GL, Standard: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- GT, 1.5 X, Automatic: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- GT, 1.5 X, Standard: 5W-20, 3.5 quarts with filter
- GT, 1.6 Y, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.5 quarts with filter
- GT, 1.6 Y, 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 -10Deg.F), 20W-20/40/50 (Above 32Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.70 QTS. | — |
| DL, 1.5 X, Automatic — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-20/40/50 (Above 32Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.70 QTS. | — |
| DL, 1.5 X, Standard — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-20/40/50 (Above 32Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.70 QTS. | — |
| DL, 1.8 T — 1.8L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-20/40/50 (Above 32Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | 3.50 QTS. | — |
| GL, Automatic — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-20/40/50 (Above 32Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.70 QTS. | — |
| GL, Standard — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-20/40/50 (Above 32Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.70 QTS. | — |
| GT, 1.5 X, Automatic — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-20/40/50 (Above 32Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.70 QTS. | — |
| GT, 1.5 X, Standard — 1.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-20/40/50 (Above 32Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.70 QTS. | — |
| GT, 1.6 Y, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-20/40/50 (Above 32Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| GT, 1.6 Y, Standard — 1.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-20/40/50 (Above 32Deg.F) | 4.50 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Colt
🛞 1990 Dodge Colt Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1990 Dodge Colt Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1990 Dodge Colt Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1990 Dodge Colt Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
5.3 quarts (5.01 L) — 50/50 mixture of water and Ethylene-Glycol Base Antifreeze, such as MOPAR, PRESTON II, PEAK, or antifreeze containing the Alugard 340-2 inhibitor system.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1990 Dodge Colt take?
It depends on the engine: Base uses 5W-20; DL, 1.5 X, Automatic uses 5W-20; DL, 1.5 X, Standard uses 5W-20; DL, 1.8 T uses 5W-20; GL, Automatic uses 5W-20; GL, Standard uses 5W-20; GT, 1.5 X, Automatic uses 5W-20; GT, 1.5 X, Standard uses 5W-20; GT, 1.6 Y, Automatic uses 5W-20; GT, 1.6 Y, Standard uses 5W-20.
What is the oil capacity of a 1990 Dodge Colt?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Base holds 3.5 quarts with filter; DL, 1.5 X, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; DL, 1.5 X, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; DL, 1.8 T holds 4.0 quarts with filter; GL, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; GL, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; GT, 1.5 X, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; GT, 1.5 X, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; GT, 1.6 Y, Automatic holds 4.5 quarts with filter; GT, 1.6 Y, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1990 Dodge Colt?
Most 1990 Dodge Colt 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 1990 Dodge Colt?
Yes. 5W-20 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1990 Dodge Colt. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.