1996 GMC Savana Special Oil Type & Capacity
The 1996 GMC Savana Special oil type depends on the engine: the 5.7 K takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the 5.7 R takes 5W-30 (5.0 quarts with filter); the 6.5 F takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts with filter); the 6.5 Y takes 10W-30 (7.0 quarts with filter); the 7.4 J takes 5W-30 (7.0 quarts with filter); the 7.4 N takes 5W-30 (7.0 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- 5.7 K: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 5.7 R: 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with filter
- 6.5 F: 10W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
- 6.5 Y: 10W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
- 7.4 J: 5W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
- 7.4 N: 5W-30, 7.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7 K — G3500,5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 5.7 K — G3500 | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F, Light Duty Emissions), (Below -60Deg.F Heavy Duty Emissions) 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 5.7 R — G3500,5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 5.7 R — G3500 | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F, Light Duty Emissions), (Below -60Deg.F Heavy Duty Emissions) 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 6.5 F — G3500,6.5L Eng | API - SAE 10W-30 (Below 32Deg.F), 15W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (32Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 6.5 F — G3500 | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F, Light Duty Emissions), (Below -60Deg.F Heavy Duty Emissions) 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 6.5 Y — G3500,6.5L Eng | API - SAE 10W-30 (Below 32Deg.F), 15W-40 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (32Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 6.5 Y — G3500 | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F, Light Duty Emissions), (Below -60Deg.F Heavy Duty Emissions) 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 7.4 J — G3500,7.4L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 7.4 J — G3500 | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F, Light Duty Emissions), (Below -60Deg.F Heavy Duty Emissions) 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 7.4 N — G3500,7.4L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 7.4 N — G3500 | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F, Light Duty Emissions), (Below -60Deg.F Heavy Duty Emissions) 10W-30 (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
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More specs & repair guides for your Savana Special
1996 GMC Savana Special factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
17.0 quarts (16.08 L) — 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL and clean water (preferably distilled)
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1996 GMC Savana Special take?
It depends on the engine: 5.7 K uses 5W-30; 5.7 R uses 5W-30; 6.5 F uses 10W-30; 6.5 Y uses 10W-30; 7.4 J uses 5W-30; 7.4 N uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 1996 GMC Savana Special take?
Capacity depends on the engine: 5.7 K holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 5.7 R holds 5.0 quarts with filter; 6.5 F holds 7.0 quarts with filter; 6.5 Y holds 7.0 quarts with filter; 7.4 J holds 7.0 quarts with filter; 7.4 N holds 7.0 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1996 GMC Savana Special?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1996 GMC Savana Special. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.