Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 P30.
The 1987 Chevrolet P30 is a light‑duty commercial chassis that uses a conventional engine requiring a 5‑quart oil fill and runs on either 10W‑30 or 5W‑30 viscosity oil, paired with an automatic four‑speed transmission. Its fuel economy is modest, posting EPA figures of 11 mpg city, 16 mpg highway and 13 mpg combined, which was typical for its class at the time. Reliability data show only three owner complaints for the 1987 model, all centered on the electrical system, and the vehicle was subject to three recalls, placing it at the low‑end of the broader P30 complaint spectrum that peaked later in the 1990s. Consequently, the 1987 year is regarded as one of the more dependable early iterations of the P30 lineage.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 11 / 16 / 13 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | 80W-90 · GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 27.0 qt |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5 qt |
| Engine Oil | 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6 qt |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1987 model year predates the available 1990–1999 data range, but its own record is sparse: only 2 electrical system complaints, 1 equipment complaint, 1 fire incident, and zero crash complaints. Across the 1990s generation, complaints fluctuated sharply, peaking at 10 in 1994 and 9 in 1998, while recalls held steady at 2–3 per year and TSBs climbed from 0 to 7 by 1999. The 1987 year sits outside this arc, but the later surge in complaints—and the electrical category appearing in both 1987 and the high-complaint 1994—hints that electrical and equipment systems may become problematic with age. The data does not specify root causes, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection of the electrical system is prudent. Given its minimal reported issues, the 1987 Chevrolet P30 appears to be a relatively clean year, but its long-term reliability hinges on condition.
All 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION…
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5 qt of ABOVE 40 degrees F: 30, ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined mpg.