--- title: "2012 Chevrolet Malibu Oil Type: 5W-30, 5 qt" description: "The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu takes 5W-30 engine oil, 5 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter ACDelco PF457G (spin-on). Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/oil" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Oil Type and Capacity The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu takes 5W-30 engine oil, 5 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter ACDelco PF457G (spin-on). Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents. **Quick answer**: The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu (2.4L 4-cylinder Ecotec (LE5/LE9)) takes 5W-30 engine oil, 5 quarts with a filter change (OEM filter ACDelco PF457G (spin-on)). Other engines differ; see the tables below. ## 2012 Chevrolet Malibu 2.4L 4-cylinder Ecotec (LE5/LE9) oil (High confidence) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 5W-30 | | Oil standard | GM dexos1 | | Capacity (with filter) | 5 qt / 4.7 L | | Synthetic required | See owner's manual | | OEM filter | ACDelco PF457G (spin-on) | | Change interval | GM Oil Life System (typically 5,000-7,500 mi); at least every 12 months | | Drain plug torque | 18 ft-lbs | Note: dexos1-licensed 5W-30 (synthetic blend acceptable in 2012; full synthetic is cheap insurance). PF457G is one of the most common GM filters, easy to find anywhere. ## 2012 Chevrolet Malibu 3.6L V6 (LY7 High Feature) oil (Check your manual) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 5W-30 | | Oil standard | GM dexos1 | | Capacity (with filter) | 6 qt / 5.7 L | | Synthetic required | See owner's manual | | OEM filter | ACDelco PF48E / UPF48R (spin-on) | | Change interval | GM Oil Life System (typically 5,000-7,500 mi); at least every 12 months | | Drain plug torque | 18 ft-lbs | Note: Capacity conflicts in guides: AMSOIL lists 6.0 qt with filter, some owners report the dipstick is full at ~5.5 qt. Fill 5.5, run, check, top up. ## Which Chevrolet Malibu model years does this cover? These oil specifications apply to every Chevrolet Malibu built from 2012 through 2012, the 7th generation (final year), mid-size sedan (epsilon platform). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012) ## What changed during the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Final year of the 7th generation, sold alongside the early-launched 2013 Eco. Last Malibu with an available V6 until, well, ever. | ## 2012 Chevrolet Malibu oil: common questions ### How many quarts of oil does a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu take? It depends on the engine. The 2.4L 4-cylinder Ecotec (LE5/LE9) takes 5 quarts; The 3.6L V6 (LY7 High Feature) takes 6 quarts, all figures include a new filter. ### What kind of oil does a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu take? 5W-30 meeting GM dexos1. Other engines in this vehicle may differ; see the table above. ### Can you use a different viscosity in a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu? The factory specification is 5W-30 and no alternate grade is listed for this engine. Modern variable-valve-timing hardware is sized around the specified viscosity, so substituting a thicker oil is not a free choice. ### How often does a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu need an oil change? GM Oil Life System (typically 5,000-7,500 mi); at least every 12 months. Short trips, towing, extended idling, and dusty or very cold conditions all put the vehicle on the severe-service side of that interval. ### What oil filter does a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu take? The OEM filter is ACDelco PF457G (spin-on). Torque the drain plug to 18 lb-ft. An overtightened plug strips an aluminium pan. ## Sources - [AMSOIL product lookup, 2012 Malibu 3.6L capacities](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2012/chevrolet/malibu/) - [Costa Oils, 2012 Malibu 2.4L oil change guide (5 qt, 5W-30)](https://costaoils.com/2012-chevrolet-malibu-24l-oil-change-guide-2/) - [Walmart/ACDelco, PF457G fitment 2004-2012 Malibu](https://www.walmart.com/ip/ACDelco-PF457G-Engine-Oil-Filter-Fits-select-2010-2017-CHEVROLET-EQUINOX-LT-2004-2012-CHEVROLET-MALIBU/36052507) - [TirePressure.org, 2012 Malibu placard pressures (30 psi)](https://tirepressure.org/chevrolet/malibu/2012) - [WiperBladesUSA, 2012 Malibu 24/21-in blades](https://www.wiperbladesusa.com/wiper-size/chevrolet/malibu/2012) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2012 Malibu EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2012_Chevrolet_Malibu.shtml) - [RepairPal, 2012 Malibu top reported problems](https://repairpal.com/2012-chevrolet-malibu/problems) - [Element Wheels, 2008-2012 Malibu 5x110 bolt pattern](https://www.elementwheels.com/wheels/chevrolet/malibu) - [Sonnax, GM 6T40/6T70 3-5-R wave plate failure](https://www.facebook.com/Sonnax/videos/stop-gm-6t40-6t70-3-5-r-failure-with-sonnax-drum-saver-kits/3015931788537426/) ## Other Chevrolet Malibu generations - [2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/oil) - [2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2013-2015/oil) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/oil). ## More for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.