--- title: "2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Fluids" description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: Dexron VI ATF. 4L60E 4-speed (4.3L/4.8L) pan drain ~5 qt; 6L80 6-speed (5.3L/6.2L) pan drain ~6 qt, no dipstick on 6L80, level check at the side plug.. Coolant: Dexcool (orange) 50/50 pre-mix. Change at 5 years / 150,000 mi. V8 system holds roughly 16-17 qt including heater circuit, verify against your manual before a full flush.." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/fluids" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Fluid Types and Capacities Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: Dexron VI ATF. 4L60E 4-speed (4.3L/4.8L) pan drain ~5 qt; 6L80 6-speed (5.3L/6.2L) pan drain ~6 qt, no dipstick on 6L80, level check at the side plug.. Coolant: Dexcool (orange) 50/50 pre-mix. Change at 5 years / 150,000 mi. V8 system holds roughly 16-17 qt including heater circuit, verify against your manual before a full flush.. ## 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fluid guide (High confidence) | System | Fluid type & capacity | | --- | --- | | Coolant | Dexcool (orange) 50/50 pre-mix. Change at 5 years / 150,000 mi. V8 system holds roughly 16-17 qt including heater circuit, verify against your manual before a full flush. | | Transmission | Dexron VI ATF. 4L60E 4-speed (4.3L/4.8L) pan drain ~5 qt; 6L80 6-speed (5.3L/6.2L) pan drain ~6 qt, no dipstick on 6L80, level check at the side plug. | | Brake fluid | DOT 3 brake fluid | | Power steering | GM power steering fluid (hydraulic steering on this generation) | | Differential | 75W-90 synthetic gear oil (rear axle) | | Transfer case | Auto-Trak II fluid (4WD) | Note: Plain washer fluid; no special spec ## Which Chevrolet Silverado 1500 model years does this cover? These fluids specifications apply to every Chevrolet Silverado 1500 built from 2012 through 2013, the GMT900 (2nd generation), full-size half-ton pickup (regular, extended, crew cab). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Silverado 1500](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012) - [2013 Silverado 1500](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2013) ## What changed during the 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Carryover year; Silverado Hybrid (6.0L two-mode, LZ1) still available in limited numbers | | 2013 | Final GMT900 year. Max trailering ~10,700 lb with 6.2L and tow package; most 5.3L configs rate 9,100-10,400 lb | ## 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fluids: common questions ### What transmission fluid does a 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 take? Dexron VI ATF. 4L60E 4-speed (4.3L/4.8L) pan drain ~5 qt; 6L80 6-speed (5.3L/6.2L) pan drain ~6 qt, no dipstick on 6L80, level check at the side plug.. Transmission fluid specifications are not interchangeable. Friction modifiers differ between them, and the wrong fluid causes shudder long before it causes failure. ### What coolant does a 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 use? Dexcool (orange) 50/50 pre-mix. Change at 5 years / 150,000 mi. V8 system holds roughly 16-17 qt including heater circuit, verify against your manual before a full flush.. ### What brake fluid does a 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 take? DOT 3 brake fluid. ### What differential fluid does a 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 take? 75W-90 synthetic gear oil (rear axle). ## Sources - [AMSOIL product lookup, 2012 Silverado 1500 4.3L capacities](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2012/chevrolet/silverado-1500-pickup/4-3l-6-cyl-engine-code-x-x/) - [Riverside Chevrolet, Silverado 1500 oil type & capacity guide 2007-2026](https://www.myriversidechevy.com/service/service-and-parts-tips/chevy-silverado-1500-oil-type-capacity/) - [Costa Oils, 2012 Silverado 6.2L (L9H) oil change guide](https://costaoils.com/2012-chevrolet-silverado-1500-pickup-6-2l-oil-change-guide/) - [O'Reilly Auto Parts, 2012 Silverado 1500 battery fitment (Group 48, 615 CCA OE)](https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/battery---accessories/batteries/battery---best-fit/ec27e4e51018/v/a/118721/automotive-truck-2012-chevrolet-silverado-1500) - [Wheel-Size.com, 2012 Silverado 1500 OE tire fitments](https://www.wheel-size.com/size/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012/) - [Otto Wiper Blades, 2012 Silverado 1500 wiper sizes (22/22)](https://ottoblades.com/products/2012-chevrolet-silverado-1500-wiper-blades-set) - [Edmunds, 2013 Silverado 1500 specs (26-gal tank, towing)](https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2013/features-specs/) - [SilveradoSierra forum, GMT900 cabin air filter retrofit kit](https://www.silveradosierra.com/threads/cabin-air-filter-2007-2013.695402/) - [GM-Trucks forum, GMT900 oil life reset (accelerator method)](https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/124413-resetting-oil-life/) ## Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 generations - [2019-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2019-2025/fluids) - [2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2014-2018/fluids) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/fluids). ## More for the 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/bulbs) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.