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2018 Chevrolet Express

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Express.

Body TRUCKTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2018 Chevrolet Express is a full‑size truck that uses a 6.0‑quart oil system with recommended viscosities of 5W‑30 or 0W‑40 and is paired with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios. It returns EPA figures of 24 city / 26 highway / 25 combined mpg. Owner reports show only 11 complaints — chiefly electrical — and six recalls, placing this year well below the model’s peak of 127 complaints in 2003 and near the low end of the 1995‑2026 history, suggesting a comparatively reliable iteration.

Model year201820172016201520112010200920082007

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/26/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 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 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12690386 alt 12731742
Engine air filter84373974 alt 84612001
Fuel filter84428486
Spark plug12680072 alt 12622441
Battery88866121 alt 88866306
Front wiper blades15214346
Serpentine belt12679333 alt 19210691
Thermostat89018168 alt 12587397

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length244.1 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height81.9 in
Wheelbase155.1 in
Curb weight5505 lb
Track (front / rear)68.1 / 67.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 26 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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 / 0W-40 engine oil, synthetic in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3. 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 FluidUse DEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.0
Automatic Transmission FluidUse Dexron HP
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · SYNTHETIC
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Differential Gear Oilsynthetic

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)11.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.1 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs97.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper BoltsDiesel: 24.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)103.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket107.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle66.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket66.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity11.00-12.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)60.0-80.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46.0-84.0
RPM43.0
Engine Compression100

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
240.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
585.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
285.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Use old crankshaft balancer bolt and tighten to 240.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove bolt and throw away. Step 3: Make sure the nose of the crankshaft is recessed 2.40-4.48mm into the balancer bolt. Step 4: Use new crankshaft bolt. Step 5: 110.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 360 degrees, Step 7: 59.0 ft. lbs., Step 8: Balancer bolt with rotating washer tighten additional 200 degrees; Balancer Bolt with flanged head tighten additional 125 degrees.240 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Use old crankshaft balancer bolt and tighten to 240.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove bolt and throw away. Step 3: Make sure the nose of the crankshaft is recessed 2.40-4.48mm into the balancer bolt. Step 4: Use new crankshaft bolt. Step 5: 110.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 360 degrees, Step 7: 59.0 ft. lbs., Step 8: Balancer bolt with rotating washer tighten additional 200 degrees; Balancer Bolt with flanged head tighten additional 125 degrees.240 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2110 degrees110 degrees
3110 degrees110 degrees
4110 degrees110 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses. · M11 Bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
370 degrees; M8 Bolts70 degrees
122.0
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts · M11 Bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
370 degrees; M8 Bolts70 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages
136.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
2Back off 360 degrees360 degrees
318.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
460.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
237.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
374.0
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
1Bolts 1-6, tighten in sequence, 3.7 ft.lbs.3.7 ft.lbs
28.8
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
13.6 ft. lbs.3.6 ft. lbs
27.4
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
27.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
111 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
215
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
136.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inner bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
2110 degrees; Outer bolts110 degrees
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
280.0 degrees; Side bolts80 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
260.0 degrees60 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inner bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
280 degrees; Outer bolts80 degrees
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
251.0 degrees; Side bolts51 degrees
118.0 ft. lbs.18 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.

At 6,000 miWheel Lug Nut (torque)
Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

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 for the Chevrolet Express displays a long-term trend where complaints and technical service bulletins peaked between 2003 and 2007 before dropping significantly in the 2023-2026 period. The 2018 model year aligns with this lower-volume trend, recording six total complaints across the electrical system and power train, alongside one fire complaint and zero crash complaints. The data does not specify the root cause for these electrical or power train issues. Compared to the 127 complaints seen in 2003, the 2018 model represents a period of much higher stability. This low volume of reported issues relative to the generation's historical peaks makes 2018 a good year to buy.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
995
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
11
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
’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’23’24’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System2
Power Train2
Steering,Power Train,Unknown Or Other1
Power Train,Structure,Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System,Visibility1
Service Brakes1
Electrical System,Service Brakes1
Suspension1

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 995 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT6247B2026-05-04Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at…
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT6400A2026-01-16Unknown Or OtherThis PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform…

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 Express. 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 78 batteryVehicles taking 6.0 qtEngine oil filter 12690386Engine air filter 84373974Fuel filter 84428486Spark plug 12680072

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Express take?

6.0 qt of Above -20 degreesF: 5W-30, Below -20 degreesF: 0W-40 Use GM Dexos 2 oil or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Express have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Express get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 26 highway / 25 combined mpg.