1990 Pontiac Firebird Oil Type & Capacity
The 1990 Pontiac Firebird oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 3.1 T, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 3.1 T, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 3.1 T, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 5.0 E, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 5.0 E, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Base, 5.0 E, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Formula, 5.0 E, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Formula, 5.0 E, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Formula, 5.0 E, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Formula, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Formula, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Formula, 5.0 F, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Formula, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Formula, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Trans Am GTA, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Trans Am GTA, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Trans Am, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Trans Am, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Trans Am, 5.0 F, Standard takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Trans Am, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the Trans Am, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 3.1 T, Automatic, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.1 T, Automatic, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 3.1 T, Standard: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 5.0 E, Automatic, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 5.0 E, Automatic, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Base, 5.0 E, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Formula, 5.0 E, Automatic, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Formula, 5.0 E, Automatic, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Formula, 5.0 E, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Formula, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Formula, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Formula, 5.0 F, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Formula, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Formula, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Trans Am GTA, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Trans Am GTA, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Trans Am, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Trans Am, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Trans Am, 5.0 F, Standard: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Trans Am, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- Trans Am, 5.7 8, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 3.1 T, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 — 3.1L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 3.1 T, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 — 3.1L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 3.1 T, Standard — 3.1L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 5.0 E, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 5.0 E, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 5.0 E, Standard — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Formula, 5.0 E, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Formula, 5.0 E, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Formula, 5.0 E, Standard — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Formula, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Formula, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Formula, 5.0 F, Standard — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Formula, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 — 5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Formula, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 — 5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Standard — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Trans Am GTA, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 — 5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Trans Am GTA, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 — 5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Trans Am, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Trans Am, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Trans Am, 5.0 F, Standard — 5.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Trans Am, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 — 5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| Trans Am, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 — 5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
Buy the right oil
Buy 5W-30 motor oil on Amazon1990 Pontiac Firebird oil filter on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More specs & repair guides for your Firebird
1990 Pontiac Firebird factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
14.5 quarts (13.72 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water. GM Specification 1825-M.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1990 Pontiac Firebird take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 3.1 T, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Base, 3.1 T, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Base, 3.1 T, Standard uses 5W-30; Base, 5.0 E, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Base, 5.0 E, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Base, 5.0 E, Standard uses 5W-30; Formula, 5.0 E, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Formula, 5.0 E, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Formula, 5.0 E, Standard uses 5W-30; Formula, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Formula, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Formula, 5.0 F, Standard uses 5W-30; Formula, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Formula, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Standard uses 5W-30; Trans Am GTA, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Trans Am GTA, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Trans Am, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Trans Am, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30; Trans Am, 5.0 F, Standard uses 5W-30; Trans Am, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 uses 5W-30; Trans Am, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 1990 Pontiac Firebird take?
Capacity depends on the engine: Base, 3.1 T, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.1 T, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Base, 3.1 T, Standard holds 4.0 quarts with filter; Base, 5.0 E, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 5.0 E, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Base, 5.0 E, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Formula, 5.0 E, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Formula, 5.0 E, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Formula, 5.0 E, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Formula, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Formula, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Formula, 5.0 F, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Formula, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Formula, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Trans Am GTA, 5.0 F, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Trans Am GTA, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Trans Am GTA, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Trans Am, 5.0 F, Automatic, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Trans Am, 5.0 F, Automatic, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Trans Am, 5.0 F, Standard holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Trans Am, 5.7 8, 4L60/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter; Trans Am, 5.7 8, 700R4/MD8 holds 5.0 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1990 Pontiac Firebird?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1990 Pontiac Firebird. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.