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2012 Chevrolet Silverado 4WD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Silverado 4WD.

The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 4WD specifies a 4.5-quart engine oil capacity alongside a 5W-30 viscosity requirement, mechanical parameters that govern fluid maintenance for this four-wheel-drive variant. Complaint data for the model line covers the 1990 through 2008 period, a range spanning from 17 complaints in 1991 to 2,168 in 2000, which places the 2012 model year outside that documented historical window. This chronological positioning situates the vehicle in a generation distinct from that dataset, meaning its reliability profile falls beyond the scope of those specific historical metrics.

Model year20122010

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 615 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.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 615 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT265-60R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12690386 alt 12731175
Engine air filter22845992 alt 15908916
Fuel filter12646512
Spark plug12680072 alt 12681664
Battery88866309 alt 88866271
Front wiper blades25877402
Serpentine belt19210691 alt 12637200
Thermostat89018168 alt 12632948

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length224.4 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height74 in
Wheelbase143.7 in
Curb weight5154 lb
Track (front / rear)68.5 / 67.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, Synthetic · SAE 75W in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 62.0 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · SAE 75W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.17 qt
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts42 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts42 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug62.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)74.0 plus 90 degrees ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket162.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle129.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket85.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.40-1.62 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.00-7.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance615 cca
Optional BCI Group Number48

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-60
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-60 w/o FPCM

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket77 ft-lbs / 38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle221 ft-lbs / 148 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket77 ft-lbs / 38 ft-lbs / 74 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle221 ft-lbs / 148 ft-lbs / 129 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH RPO J92, JD9, JF3, JF7
Torque Caliper to Bracket74 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1installation, 110 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees., step 3: 59 ft. lbs., step 4: 125 degrees., install new bolt.110 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 100 degrees., step 3: 90 degrees., install new bolt.74 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
370 degrees; M8 Bolts:70 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
370 degrees; M8 Bolts:70 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
370 degrees; M8 Bolts:70 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

At 100 miWheel Lug Nut (torque)
At 2,000 miWheel Lug Nut (torque)
At 6,000 miWheel Lug Nut (torque)
Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 45,000 miTransmission Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Transmission Filter (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.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’97’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V827000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 30/12/2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM…

13V615000Fuel System, DieselReported 11/12/2013

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6.6L diesel engines and dual fuel tanks. In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump… Remedy: General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel transfer pump, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification…

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 Silverado 4WD. 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 48 batteryVehicles taking 4.5 qtEngine oil filter 12690386Engine air filter 22845992Fuel filter 12646512Spark plug 12680072

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Silverado 4WD take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Silverado 4WD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.