1990 GMC Safari Oil Type & Capacity
The 1990 GMC Safari oil type depends on the engine: the Van Cargo Extended, AWD, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Cargo Extended, AWD, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Cargo Extended, RWD, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Cargo Extended, RWD, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Cargo, 2.5 E, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts qt with filter); the Van Cargo, 2.5 E, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts qt with filter); the Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 B, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 B, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger, 4.3 B, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger, 4.3 B, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Van Cargo Extended, AWD, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Cargo Extended, AWD, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Cargo Extended, RWD, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Cargo Extended, RWD, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Cargo, 2.5 E, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- Van Cargo, 2.5 E, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 B, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 B, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger, 4.3 B, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger, 4.3 B, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Cargo Extended, AWD, 4L60/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Cargo Extended, AWD, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Cargo Extended, RWD, 4L60/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Cargo Extended, RWD, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Cargo, 2.5 E, 4L60/MD8 — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Cargo, 2.5 E, 700R4/MD8 — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.50 QTS. | 3.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 B, 4L60/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 B, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger, 4.3 B, 4L60/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger, 4.3 B, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
| Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 — 4.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | 4.00 QTS. | — |
Complete Oil Change Bundle for 1990 GMC Safari
Everything you need delivered in one order. Pre-matched to your factory spec (5W-30, 5.0 quarts).
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices shown are real-time retail estimates.
Buy the right oil & filter for your Safari
🛒 Buy 5W-30 Full Synthetic Oil (5.0 quarts needed) on AmazonPopular Full Synthetic Brands (5W-30):
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More factory specs & repair guides for your Safari
🛞 1990 GMC Safari Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1990 GMC Safari Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1990 GMC Safari Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1990 GMC Safari Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
12.8 quarts (12.11 L) — 56/44 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water. GM Specification 1825-M.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1990 GMC Safari take?
It depends on the engine: Van Cargo Extended, AWD, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Cargo Extended, AWD, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Cargo Extended, RWD, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Cargo Extended, RWD, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Cargo, 2.5 E, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Cargo, 2.5 E, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 B, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 B, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger, 4.3 B, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger, 4.3 B, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 1990 GMC Safari?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Van Cargo Extended, AWD, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Cargo Extended, AWD, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Cargo Extended, RWD, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Cargo Extended, RWD, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Cargo, 2.5 E, 4L60/MD8 holds 3.5 quarts with filter; Van Cargo, 2.5 E, 700R4/MD8 holds 3.5 quarts with filter; Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Cargo, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 B, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 B, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger Extended, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger, 4.3 B, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger, 4.3 B, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, AWD, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, AWD, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, RWD, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Van Passenger, 4.3 Z, RWD, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1990 GMC Safari?
Most 1990 GMC Safari 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 — GMC recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1990 GMC Safari?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1990 GMC Safari. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.