GMC Truck›Sonoma 4WD›1997›Overview/gmc-truck/sonoma-4wd/1997/base/

1997 GMC Truck Sonoma 4WD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Sonoma 4WD.

The 1997 GMC Sonoma 4WD is the four-wheel-drive compact pickup in GMC's truck range, and its service baseline calls for 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. Across the 1990-2005 model run, the 1997 edition generated 134 owner complaints, a figure well short of the 1994 high of 306 yet far above the 1990 low of one, with Service Brakes, Hydraulic standing out as the top complaint area and three recalls filed. For researchers, that placement makes the 1997 Sonoma 4WD a comparatively moderate year rather than a standout problem year in the model's reliability history.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque95 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 75 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. 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 75 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205-75R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175 alt 19210286
Engine air filter	25170512 alt 19259086
Fuel filter	25168594
Spark plug	19301812 alt 12681665
Front wiper blades	15757007 alt 15757008
Serpentine belt	12550110 alt 88986826
Thermostat	24577299 alt 12632948

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 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2. 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

Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.6 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	77 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	74 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps	Apply sealant GM P/N 12346004
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	10 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	17.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	89.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	89.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	89.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	89.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	95 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-5-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-5-4-3-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Torque	14 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.045 in
Spark Plug Torque	15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	150
Oil Capacity	2.2 L
Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.75-2.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque to Knuckle	77 ft-lbs / 52 ft-lbs / 38 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake Application	WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0003 in / 0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in / 0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.14 in / 0.787 in / 1.03 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.14 in / 0.787 in / 1.03 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	short bolts	43 ft. lbs
2	turn 90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	all bolts	22 ft. lbs
2	long bolts	75 degrees
3	medium bolts	65 degrees
4	55

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	all bolts	22 ft. lbs
2	long bolts	75 degrees
3	medium bolts	65 degrees
4	55

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

short bolts

43 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 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.

Every 7,500 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (lubricate return spring) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Bushing (lubricate) · Clutch Pedal Clevis Pin (lubricate)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 1997 GMC Truck Sonoma 4WD lead in one area — the service brakes, hydraulic, 32 of 134 reports (24%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 3 recall campaigns target the service brakes, hydraulic, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 14 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the service brakes, hydraulic 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

134

Owner complaints

14 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96’97’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 134 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic32

Visibility28

Power Train7

Air Bags6

Steering6

Vehicle Speed Control5

Electrical System4

Structure4

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.

97V096001Seat BeltsReported 12/06/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.