--- title: "2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Oil Type: 5W-30, 4.5 qt" description: "The 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 takes 5W-30 engine oil, 4.5 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter ACDelco PF61E. Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/oil" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Oil Type and Capacity The 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 takes 5W-30 engine oil, 4.5 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter ACDelco PF61E. Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents. **Quick answer**: The 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (4.3L Vortec V6 (LU3)) takes 5W-30 engine oil, 4.5 quarts with a filter change (OEM filter ACDelco PF61E). Other engines differ; see the tables below. ## 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.3L Vortec V6 (LU3) oil (High confidence) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 5W-30 | | Oil standard | dexos1 (GM6094M before 2011) | | Capacity (with filter) | 4.5 qt / 4.3 L | | Synthetic required | See owner's manual | | OEM filter | ACDelco PF61E | | Change interval | Per Oil Life Monitor, max 12 months (typically 5,000-7,500 mi) | | Drain plug torque | 18 ft-lbs | Note: Old-school iron-block Vortec 4300, no AFM, no direct injection. GM has required dexos1-licensed oil since the 2011 model year. ## 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.8L Vortec V8 (L20) oil (High confidence) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 5W-30 | | Oil standard | dexos1 | | Capacity (with filter) | 6 qt / 5.7 L | | Synthetic required | See owner's manual | | OEM filter | ACDelco PF48E | | Aftermarket filters | Fram XG10060 (Ultra), Wix 57060, Mobil 1 M1-113A | | Change interval | Per Oil Life Monitor, max 12 months | Note: The 4.8L never had Active Fuel Management. It avoids the AFM lifter/oil-consumption issues entirely. Paired with the 4-speed 4L60E automatic. ## 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L Vortec V8 (LMG iron / LC9 aluminum, AFM) oil (High confidence) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 5W-30 | | Oil standard | dexos1 | | Capacity (with filter) | 6 qt / 5.7 L | | Synthetic required | See owner's manual | | OEM filter | ACDelco PF48E | | Aftermarket filters | Fram XG10060 (Ultra), Wix 57060, Mobil 1 M1-113A | | Change interval | Per Oil Life Monitor, max 12 months; many owners run 5,000 mi because of AFM oil consumption | Note: Has Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation). Check the dipstick between changes; these engines are documented oil burners (see common problems). Paired with the 6-speed 6L80. ## 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 6.2L Vortec V8 (L9H) oil (High confidence) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 5W-30 | | Oil standard | dexos1 | | Capacity (with filter) | 6 qt / 5.7 L | | Synthetic required | See owner's manual | | OEM filter | ACDelco PF48E | | Aftermarket filters | Fram XG10060 (Ultra), Wix 57060, Mobil 1 M1-113A | | Change interval | Per Oil Life Monitor, max 12 months | Note: The L9H does not have AFM. Rare in Silverado 1500s (more common in Sierra Denali). ## Which Chevrolet Silverado 1500 model years does this cover? These oil 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 oil: common questions ### How many quarts of oil does a 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 take? It depends on the engine. The 4.3L Vortec V6 (LU3) takes 4.5 quarts; The 4.8L Vortec V8 (L20) takes 6 quarts; The 5.3L Vortec V8 (LMG iron / LC9 aluminum, AFM) takes 6 quarts; The 6.2L Vortec V8 (L9H) takes 6 quarts, all figures include a new filter. ### What kind of oil does a 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 take? 5W-30 meeting dexos1 (GM6094M before 2011). Other engines in this vehicle may differ; see the table above. ### Can you use a different viscosity in a 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500? 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 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 need an oil change? Per Oil Life Monitor, max 12 months (typically 5,000-7,500 mi). 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 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 take? The OEM filter is ACDelco PF61E. Torque the drain plug to 18 lb-ft. An overtightened plug strips an aluminium pan. ## 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 oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2019-2025/oil) - [2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2014-2018/oil) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/oil). ## More for the 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 - [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) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/fluids) - [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.