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1996 Chevrolet Lumina

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Lumina.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Chevrolet Lumina passenger car utilizes a 4-speed automatic transmission and an engine maintained with 4.5 quarts of 10W-30 API oil, delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 17/24/19 mpg. Within the model complaint history spanning 1990 to 2008, this specific year accumulates 270 total owner complaints and 3 recalls, with air bags identified as the top complaint area. This complaint volume positions the 1996 model significantly below the 584 reports filed for the 1995 high point, indicating a reliability standing that improves upon the model's peak dissatisfaction while remaining distinct from the 1 complaint low observed in 2008.

Model year2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205/70R15;OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ, na, 6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175 alt 19210286
Engine air filter	19166106
Fuel filter	25121293 discontinued
Spark plug	19301813 alt 12562911
Front wiper blades	15214346
Serpentine belt	19244954 alt 24505203
Thermostat	10226107 alt 24507563

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	191.3 in
Overall width	74 in
Overall height	65.7 in
Wheelbase	109.8 in
Curb weight	3426 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.1 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 24 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Lumina of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–9.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 1991 Z34 Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1995	LS Sedan 3.4L V6	8.40 sec	16.30 sec	160 hp	FWD
1995	Sedan 3.1L V6	9.50 sec	17.00 sec	160 hp	FWD
1998	LTZ Sedan 3.8L V6	7.60 sec	15.80 sec	200 hp	FWD
1991	Z34 Coupe 3.4L V6	7.10 sec	15.50 sec	210 hp	FWD
1990	Euro Sedan 3.1L V6	9.80 sec	17.90 sec	140 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil	10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	24X Sensor: 8 ft-lbs, 7X Sensor: 6 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	8 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	103 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	96 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	75 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	76 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	70 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	151 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5000-7000 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.045 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.00-2.30 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	8.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	78

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	47.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	40.5-47

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	148 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	100 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.039 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.039 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.987 in / 0.385 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	44 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Timing Belt (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Timing Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The 1996 Chevrolet Lumina represents a notable inflection point in its generation’s federal safety and reliability record. Complaints spiked in 1995 (584) before dropping sharply to 270 in 1996, suggesting either a mid-cycle corrective response or a shift in production quality, though the data doesn’t specify root causes. Recalls and investigations remained modest (3 and 4, respectively) compared to earlier years, while Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) peaked at 71—indicating persistent but addressable issues rather than systemic failures. The top complaint areas—airbags, brakes, engine cooling, and powertrain—align with broader trends for the era, though crash-related complaints (24) and fire reports (2) are relatively low. Within the generation’s arc, 1996 sits as a more stable year than 1995 but precedes the gradual decline in complaints seen in later models. **Takeaway: The 1996 Lumina is a comparatively sound choice within its generation, offering lower complaint volumes than adjacent years with no red flags in the federal data.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

270

Owner complaints

24 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95’96’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’08

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 270 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags31

Service Brakes, Hydraulic31

Engine & Engine Cooling29

Power Train24

Electrical System22

Steering15

Exterior Lighting12

Seat Belts12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E021000Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief DevicesReported 12/03/2007

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE… Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

96V122000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:VacuumReported 01/07/1996

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OF THE FOUR BRAKE BOOSTER TABS NOT PROPERLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF DASH REINFORCEMENT ASSEMBLY. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BOOSTER INSTALLATION. BOOSTERS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY LOCATED WILL BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED PROPERLY.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 71 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
17-NA-073	2023-02-21	Equipment	This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…
PIP4723F	2022-01-14	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIP4723D	2020-01-31	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
19NA273	2019-12-02	Electrical System	This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to…
PIC4696E	2019-11-22	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…

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 Lumina. 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.

Group 78 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 19166106 Fuel filter 25121293 Spark plug 19301813

Reference guides

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

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1996 Lumina take?

4.5 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 Lumina have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Lumina get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.