1990 GMC Suburban Oil Type & Capacity

The 1990 GMC Suburban oil type depends on the engine: the R1500, 5.7 K, 4L60/MD8 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the R1500, 5.7 K, 700R4/MD8 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the R1500, 6.2 C, 4L60/MD8 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the R1500, 6.2 C, 700R4/MD8 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80-HD/M40 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80/M40 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 400/M40 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 475/M40 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 5.7 K, Standard takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 6.2 J, 3L80-HD/M40 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 6.2 J, 3L80/M40 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 6.2 J, 400/M40 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 6.2 J, 475/M40 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 7.4 N, 3L80-HD/M40 takes 10W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 7.4 N, 3L80/M40 takes 10W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 7.4 N, 400/M40 takes 10W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the R2500, 7.4 N, 475/M40 takes 10W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the V1500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the V1500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the V1500, 5.7 K, Standard takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the V1500, 6.2 C, 4L60/MD8 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the V1500, 6.2 C, 700R4/MD8 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80-HD/M40 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80/M40 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 400/M40 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 475/M40 takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the V2500, 5.7 K, Standard takes 10W-30 (5.0 quarts qt with filter); the V2500, 6.2 J, 3L80-HD/M40 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the V2500, 6.2 J, 3L80/M40 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the V2500, 6.2 J, 400/M40 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the V2500, 6.2 J, 475/M40 takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.

Factory-spec answer

It depends on the engine:

Oil capacity by engine

EngineOil Type (viscosity)Capacity w/ FilterCapacity w/o FilterNotes
R1500, 5.7 K, 4L60/MD8 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
R1500, 5.7 K, 700R4/MD8 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
R1500, 6.2 C, 4L60/MD8 — Eng VIN CAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
R1500, 6.2 C, 700R4/MD8 — Eng VIN CAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80-HD/M40 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80/M40 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 400/M40 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 475/M40 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
R2500, 5.7 K, Standard — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
R2500, 6.2 J, 3L80-HD/M40 — Eng VIN JAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
R2500, 6.2 J, 3L80/M40 — Eng VIN JAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
R2500, 6.2 J, 400/M40 — Eng VIN JAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
R2500, 6.2 J, 475/M40 — Eng VIN JAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
R2500, 7.4 N, 3L80-HD/M40 — Eng VIN NAPI - SAE 10W-306.00 QTS.5.00 QTS.
R2500, 7.4 N, 3L80/M40 — Eng VIN NAPI - SAE 10W-306.00 QTS.5.00 QTS.
R2500, 7.4 N, 400/M40 — Eng VIN NAPI - SAE 10W-306.00 QTS.5.00 QTS.
R2500, 7.4 N, 475/M40 — Eng VIN NAPI - SAE 10W-306.00 QTS.5.00 QTS.
V1500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
V1500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
V1500, 5.7 K, Standard — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
V1500, 6.2 C, 4L60/MD8 — Eng VIN CAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
V1500, 6.2 C, 700R4/MD8 — Eng VIN CAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80-HD/M40 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80/M40 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 400/M40 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 475/M40 — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
V2500, 5.7 K, Standard — Eng VIN KAPI - SAE 10W-305.00 QTS.4.00 QTS.
V2500, 6.2 J, 3L80-HD/M40 — Eng VIN JAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
V2500, 6.2 J, 3L80/M40 — Eng VIN JAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
V2500, 6.2 J, 400/M40 — Eng VIN JAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
V2500, 6.2 J, 475/M40 — Eng VIN JAPI - SAE 10W-30 or 15W-407.00 QTS.
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More factory specs & repair guides for your Suburban

🛞 1990 GMC Suburban Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1990 GMC Suburban Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1990 GMC Suburban Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1990 GMC Suburban Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)

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Coolant capacity

18.5 quarts (17.5 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 Suburban take?

It depends on the engine: R1500, 5.7 K, 4L60/MD8 uses 10W-30; R1500, 5.7 K, 700R4/MD8 uses 10W-30; R1500, 6.2 C, 4L60/MD8 uses 10W-30; R1500, 6.2 C, 700R4/MD8 uses 10W-30; R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80-HD/M40 uses 10W-30; R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80/M40 uses 10W-30; R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 400/M40 uses 10W-30; R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 475/M40 uses 10W-30; R2500, 5.7 K, Standard uses 10W-30; R2500, 6.2 J, 3L80-HD/M40 uses 10W-30; R2500, 6.2 J, 3L80/M40 uses 10W-30; R2500, 6.2 J, 400/M40 uses 10W-30; R2500, 6.2 J, 475/M40 uses 10W-30; R2500, 7.4 N, 3L80-HD/M40 uses 10W-30; R2500, 7.4 N, 3L80/M40 uses 10W-30; R2500, 7.4 N, 400/M40 uses 10W-30; R2500, 7.4 N, 475/M40 uses 10W-30; V1500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 uses 10W-30; V1500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 uses 10W-30; V1500, 5.7 K, Standard uses 10W-30; V1500, 6.2 C, 4L60/MD8 uses 10W-30; V1500, 6.2 C, 700R4/MD8 uses 10W-30; V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80-HD/M40 uses 10W-30; V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80/M40 uses 10W-30; V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 400/M40 uses 10W-30; V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 475/M40 uses 10W-30; V2500, 5.7 K, Standard uses 10W-30; V2500, 6.2 J, 3L80-HD/M40 uses 10W-30; V2500, 6.2 J, 3L80/M40 uses 10W-30; V2500, 6.2 J, 400/M40 uses 10W-30; V2500, 6.2 J, 475/M40 uses 10W-30.

What is the oil capacity of a 1990 GMC Suburban?

Oil capacity depends on the engine: R1500, 5.7 K, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; R1500, 5.7 K, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; R1500, 6.2 C, 4L60/MD8 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; R1500, 6.2 C, 700R4/MD8 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80-HD/M40 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80/M40 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 400/M40 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 475/M40 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 5.7 K, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 6.2 J, 3L80-HD/M40 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 6.2 J, 3L80/M40 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 6.2 J, 400/M40 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 6.2 J, 475/M40 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 7.4 N, 3L80-HD/M40 holds 6.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 7.4 N, 3L80/M40 holds 6.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 7.4 N, 400/M40 holds 6.0 quarts with filter; R2500, 7.4 N, 475/M40 holds 6.0 quarts with filter; V1500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; V1500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; V1500, 5.7 K, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; V1500, 6.2 C, 4L60/MD8 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; V1500, 6.2 C, 700R4/MD8 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80-HD/M40 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 3L80/M40 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 400/M40 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; V2500, 5.7 K, Automatic, 475/M40 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; V2500, 5.7 K, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; V2500, 6.2 J, 3L80-HD/M40 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; V2500, 6.2 J, 3L80/M40 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; V2500, 6.2 J, 400/M40 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; V2500, 6.2 J, 475/M40 holds 7.0 quarts with filter.

How often should I change the oil in my 1990 GMC Suburban?

Most 1990 GMC Suburban 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 Suburban?

Yes. 10W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1990 GMC Suburban. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.

Other GMC Suburban years

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