Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Caprice.
The 2012 Chevrolet Caprice, the final iteration of the model’s long‑running full‑size sedan lineage, is equipped with an engine that requires an 8.0‑quart fill of 5W‑30 oil, a specification that reflects its robust design and service‑interval expectations. Although the vehicle’s platform and powertrain details are not enumerated here, its placement at the tail end of a production run that spans from 1990 to 2011 allows researchers to contextualize its reliability: the series peaked in consumer complaints in 1994 with 196 reported issues, yet hit a low point in 2003 with just a single complaint, suggesting that the 2012 model benefits from the refinements that emerged during the latter, quieter years of the Caprice’s history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 765 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. 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.
| Engine oil filter | 12690386 alt 12577653 |
| Engine air filter | 92066873 |
| Spark plug | 12681660 alt 12680072 |
| Battery | 88866309 alt 88864542 |
| Front wiper blades | 92219233 alt 92219234 |
| Serpentine belt | 92244381 alt 12639035 |
| Thermostat | 89018168 alt 12587397 |
| Cabin air filter | 92184248 |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Caprice of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | PPV Sedan (Police Patrol Vehicle) 6.0L V8 | 5.30 sec | 13.90 sec | 355 hp | RWD |
| 2012 | PPV Sedan (Police Patrol Vehicle) 6.0L V8 | 5.70 sec | 14.20 sec | 355 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 8.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 6.7 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 8.0 qt |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.0 qt |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Valve Cover Bolts | 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 140 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-2-3-4-5-6 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | AC Delco |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | AC Delco |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.040 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 11.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.12 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 3.30-4.70 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 765 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Pressure Test | 22 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 17-22 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 194-221 °F |
| Pressure Test | 22 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 22 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 194-225 °F |
| Pressure Test | 20 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 20 psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 20 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 20 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.001 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.002 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.906 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.906 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.846 in |
| 1 | 90 | |
| 1 | 90 | |
| 1 | 74 ft. lbs., step 2: 150 | 74 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 70 degrees | 70 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees; M8 Bolts: | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 15-22 ft. lbs., step 2: 34 | 15–22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 3.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4 | 3.7 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 11 ft. lbs., step 2: 18 | 11 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 7,500 mi | Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured March 24, 2011, to December 6, 2013. The affected vehicles are Police Patrol Vehicles (PPV), equipped with a… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lever roll pin, replace the base pivot pin and attach a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock retention enhancement clip…
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to December 6, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and cut and fit a revised key blade and housing assembly, in…
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
8.0 qt of 5W-30 ONLY USE ENGINE OIL MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION., per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.