---
title: "2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Parts and Specs"
description: "Everything for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: oil type and capacity, battery group size, tire sizes, wiper blades, filters, service schedule, and common problems, verified, sourced, and in one place."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 parts and specs

Everything you need to own and maintain this exact model year. Verified specifications, part numbers, and the problems that recur, in one place. GMT900 (2nd generation), 2012-2013, Full-size half-ton pickup (regular, extended, crew cab).

## Quick facts

| Quick fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Engine oil | 5W-30, 4.5 qt (base engine) |
| Battery | Group 48 (H6), 615 CCA |
| Tire size | 245/70R17 (base trim) |
| Wiper blades | 22" / 22" |
| Max towing | 10,700 lbs |
| Key fob battery | CR2032 (remote fob) |

## Specifications for the 2012-2013 Silverado 1500

### Oil & filter

Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/oil).

### Battery

BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/battery).

### Tires & wheels

Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/tires).

### Wiper blades

Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/wipers).

### Air & cabin filters

Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/filters).

### Bulbs

Headlight, fog and marker bulb types [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/bulbs).

### Fluids

Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/fluids).

### Service schedule

What's actually due at every mileage interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/service-schedule).

### Problems & reliability

Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/common-problems).

### Oil light reset

Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/oil-reset).

### Key fob battery

Which coin cell the remote takes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/key-fob-battery).

### Specs

Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013/specs).

These specifications are shared across every Silverado 1500 of the GMT900 (2nd generation) generation. See the [2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 overview](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2012-2013) for the full picture, or the [Chevrolet Silverado 1500 guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500) to compare every generation.

## What changed for the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

| Years | What changed |
| --- | --- |
| 2012 | Carryover year; Silverado Hybrid (6.0L two-mode, LZ1) still available in limited numbers |

## Known problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

5 of the 5 issues we track for the 2012-2013 generation are documented against the 2012 model year.

### AFM oil consumption (5.3L) (major)

Active Fuel Management 5.3Ls of this era pull oil past the AFM pressure-relief valve spray and low-tension rings, burning a quart every 1,000-2,000 miles in bad cases, fouling the driver-side rear plug. GM's fixes ranged from an AFM shield deflector and updated valve cover (TSB 10-06-01-008 series) to piston/ring replacement. A federal jury awarded a $102.6M class-action verdict over 2011-2014 Gen IV 5.3L oil consumption (Siqueiros v. GM). Check the dipstick religiously.

TSB 10-06-01-008 (multiple revisions); Siqueiros v. GM class action. Typical cost: $0 (monitoring/top-offs) to $2,500-$4,500 for rings out of warranty; ~$400 for AFM shield + valve cover.

### AFM lifter collapse / flattened cam lobe (5.3L) (major)

AFM roller lifters can collapse or stick, causing a sudden loud tick, misfire codes on AFM cylinders (1, 4, 6, 7), and in the worst cases a wiped cam lobe. Repair means lifters (usually all 16) and often the camshaft. Many owners install an AFM disabler or do a full delete during the repair.

Typical cost: $2,000-$4,500 (lifters and cam); more if metal circulated.

### HVAC blend/mode door actuator clicking (minor)

A rapid clicking or knocking from behind the dash, or air stuck on one temperature/vent, is a failed blend- or mode-door actuator, a classic GM truck fault of this era. Actuators are cheap and most are accessible under the dash; recalibrate by cycling the HVAC after replacement.

Typical cost: $50-$100 DIY per actuator; $150-$350 at a shop.

### Exhaust manifold bolt breakage (ticking on cold start) (moderate)

The V8s are known for snapping rear exhaust manifold bolts, causing an exhaust tick on cold start that fades as the manifold expands. The truck runs fine, but the fix is extracting broken bolts, labor-heavy on the driver side. Aftermarket bolt kits are cheap; the labor is not.

Typical cost: $300-$900 depending on how many bolts and which side.

### Cracked dash pad above airbag seams (minor)

GMT900 dash pads commonly crack near the passenger airbag seam and speaker grilles, especially in hot climates. Cosmetic only, but a molded dash cap or replacement pad is the fix. No recall, GM goodwill covered some early trucks only.

Typical cost: $50-$150 (dash cap) to $500+ (replacement pad installed).

Full detail, costs and sources on the [Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems and years to avoid](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/common-problems) guide.

## Which engines were offered in the 2012 Silverado 1500?

| Engine | Trims | Oil | Oil capacity |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 4.3L Vortec V6 (LU3) | WT, LS (base engine) | 5W-30 | 4.5 qt |
| 4.8L Vortec V8 (L20) | WT, LS, LT (base V8) | 5W-30 | 6 qt |
| 5.3L Vortec V8 (LMG iron / LC9 aluminum, AFM) | LS, LT, LTZ (volume engine) | 5W-30 | 6 qt |
| 6.2L Vortec V8 (L9H) | LTZ (optional) | 5W-30 | 6 qt |

## About the Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is GM's full-size half-ton pickup and one of the three best-selling vehicles in America, and the 2012-2025 span covers three distinct trucks. 2L V8s on 5W-30 with 6-quart sumps and cheap PF48 filters. 3L.

The K2XX (2014-2018, plus the carryover 2019 'Silverado LD') brought direct-injected EcoTec3 engines with 8-quart V8 sumps, and added the 8L90 8-speed whose torque-converter shudder spawned TSB 18-NA-355 and a class action. 2L V8s for crankshaft/rod-bearing defects. 7 with 140 lb-ft lug torque, both wiper blades are 22 inches, the battery is a Group 48 (H6), and the key fob takes a CR2032.

Owners look things up constantly because specs genuinely changed: oil went from 6 qt of 5W-30 to 8 qt of 0W-20 on the V8s in 2014, the diesel takes dexosD-spec oil, and fuel tank and towing figures vary by cab, box, and axle.

For how the specifications changed across every generation, see the [full Chevrolet Silverado 1500 guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500).

## Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years

- [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2025)
- [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2024)
- [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2023)
- [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2022)
- [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2021)
- [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2020)
- [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2019)
- [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2018)
- [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2017)
- [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2016)
- [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2015)
- [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2014)
- [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2013)

Data confidence for this generation: High confidence.

## 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/)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.