Chevrolet›Caprice›2013›Overview/chevrolet/caprice/2013/base/

2013 Chevrolet Caprice

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Caprice.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2013 Chevrolet Caprice is a full-size passenger car that calls for 6.0 quarts of 5W-30 oil, a service detail reflecting its robust underpinnings. This model year recorded just six owner complaints—primarily centered on the electrical system—and four recalls, a remarkably low count that places it among the most dependable entries in the nameplate’s modern history, especially when viewed against the 196 complaints logged for the 1994 model. For a researcher, the 2013 Caprice represents a mature, relatively trouble-free iteration that largely sidesteps the reliability pitfalls of earlier decades.

Model year2014 2013 2012 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 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 94R · 765 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. 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 94R · 765 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire sizeP235/50R18OEM · verified

Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12690386 alt 12577653
Engine air filter	92066873
Spark plug	12680072 alt 12681660
Battery	88865934 alt 88864542
Front wiper blades	92219234 alt 92219233
Serpentine belt	92244381 alt 92290768
Thermostat	89018168 alt 12587397
Cabin air filter	92184248

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Caprice of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.3–5.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2012 PPV Sedan (Police Patrol Vehicle)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2012	PPV Sedan (Police Patrol Vehicle) 6.0L V8	5.30 sec	13.90 sec	355 hp	RWD
2012	PPV Sedan (Police Patrol Vehicle) 6.0L V8	5.70 sec	14.20 sec	355 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. 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

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	6.7
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	8.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.12 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.30-4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	765 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	94R

Service checks

Pressure Test	22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	17-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	194-221 °F
Pressure Test	22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	194-225 °F
Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Brake Application	WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.181 in / 0.906 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.181 in / 0.906 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 150

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	70 degrees	70 degrees
3	90 degrees; M8 Bolts:	90 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	150 degrees; M8 Bolts:	150 degrees
1	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	75 degrees	75 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., step 2: 18

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record provided contains no data specifically for 2013; the latest year available is 2011, which shows 1 complaint alongside 3 recalls and 890 TSBs—suggesting high manufacturer attention to service issues during that period. The prior era's data (1990–1997) reflects an entirely different Caprice generation and is not directly comparable. For 2013 specifically, the complaint volume is minimal at just 5 total reports, with electrical system issues (2) leading, followed by isolated complaints in fuel/propulsion, steering/brakes, and visibility/wipers. Notably, there were zero crash-related complaints and one fire-related complaint. The data does not specify root causes for these issues. **Takeaway:** The 2013 model benefits from low complaint volume and appears late in its generation with few documented defects, suggesting reasonable used-car viability—though the single fire complaint warrants a pre-purchase inspection of the fuel and electrical systems before buying.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1238

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’03 ’11

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 6 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Electrical System2

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Steering,Suspension,Service Brakes1

Visibility/Wiper1

Power Train,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1238 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT6247B	2026-05-04	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at…
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Caprice. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 94R battery Vehicles taking 6.0 qt Engine oil filter 12690386 Engine air filter 92066873 Spark plug 12680072 Battery 88865934

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Caprice take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 ONLY USE ENGINE OIL MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION., per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Caprice have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.