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1989 Chevrolet C-Series Pickup

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 C-Series Pickup.

The 1989 Chevrolet C-Series Pickup stands as a utilitarian work platform equipped with an engine requiring 4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil for proper lubrication. In the context of the model's broader production timeline, this specific year boasts an exceptionally strong reliability record, logging only a single owner complaint—categorized within Engine & Engine Cooling and Unknown or Other—alongside a solitary recall. This minimal fault history places the 1989 iteration at a high point in the C-Series reliability timeline, meaning researchers can view it as a remarkably stable and dependable chapter for the long-running truck platform rather than a problematic outlier.

Model year1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1989 1988 1986

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12737090. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12737090 alt 25160561
Engine air filter	06419892 alt 08996118
Fuel filter	25171792 discontinued · alt 25011765
Spark plug	19302741
Front wiper blades	15184702
Serpentine belt	14102103 alt 22518599
Thermostat	10105135 alt 12551591

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	14.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi.

At 5,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 5,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (lubricate) · Throttle Linkage (inspect)
At 6,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 6,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate)
At 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 mi	Air Cleaner Manifold Heat Control Actuator (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Radiator Fan Assembly (inspect) · Underbody Splash Shield (inspect)
At 15,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1989 Chevrolet C-Series Pickup dominate in one area — the engine & engine cooling,unknown or other, 1 of 1 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the engine & engine cooling,unknown or other, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine & engine cooling,unknown or other pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

89V149000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 08/09/1989

TRUCKS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH INCORRECT OR MISSING Remedy: INSTALL CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABEL.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 4 of 4 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
WB11-X-001A	2023-10-18	Engine And Engine Cooling	The following information is provided to clearly explain Isuzuâs policy for control…
000601019	2000-10-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER A GM GOODWRENCH REMANUFACTURED 4.3L…
000604002	2000-01-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SUBJECT REGARDING A HARD, NO START OR EXCESSIVE GRAY OR WHITE SMOKE CONDITION ON START UP…
990940004	2000-01-01	Seats	GENERAL MOTORS BEGAN PROVIDING CHILD RESTRAIN SEAT TOP TETHER HARDWARE PACKAGES TO…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific C-Series Pickup. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4 qt Engine oil filter 12737090 Engine air filter 06419892 Fuel filter 25171792 Spark plug 19302741

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1989 C-Series Pickup take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1989 C-Series Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.