Chevrolet›Impala›2013›Overview/chevrolet/impala/2013/base/

2013 Chevrolet Impala

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2013 Chevrolet Impala is a full-size passenger car built on GM's longtime front-wheel-drive platform, powered by a V6 engine that holds 6.0 quarts of 5W-30 motor oil and pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission, achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined; this model year came equipped with Electronic Stability Control as a standard safety feature, though that system would become the most frequent complaint area among owners. With 270 total owner complaints recorded for the 2013 model, it sits well below the model's complaint peak of 1,071 recorded in 2004, representing a notably lower incidence of issues compared to the Impala's troubled earlier decade, though still above the model's historic low of just 1 complaint in 1997. For researchers evaluating this vehicle's reliability profile, the 2013 Impala falls within a middle tier of the model's long-term complaint history—neither representing the worst troublespots nor the cleanest record—while carrying a single recall that prospective owners should verify against the vehicle's service records.

Model year202020192018201720162015201320122011

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 torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/28/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLS P225/60R16OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742 alt 25206377
Engine air filter20862288 discontinued
Spark plug12681660
Front wiper blades23367644 alt 23366232
Serpentine belt12636139
Cabin air filter84557894

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200.4 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight3556 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 28 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume105 cu ft
Cargo volume19 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

5.6–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2006 SS V8
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20142LT V6 3.6L V66.00 sec14.80 sec305 hpFWD
20142LTZ V6 3.6L V66.20 sec14.80 sec305 hpFWD
20142LTZ V6 3.6L V67.10 sec15.60 sec305 hpFWD
20141LT 2.5L I-48.70 sec16.80 sec195 hpFWD
20162LTZ V6 3.6L V66.30 sec14.90 sec305 hpFWD
2018Premier V6 3.6L V66.10 sec14.90 sec305 hpFWD
2007LTZ V6 3.9L V67.40 sec15.60 sec233 hpFWD
2007Police 3.9L V67.50 sec15.60 sec240 hpFWD

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 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. 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 FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2-6.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub155 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.0 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number34
Optional BCI Cranking Performance720 POLICE cca

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-100
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle88 ft-lbs / 133 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 0.551 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 15074 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:

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2150 degrees; M8 Bolts:150 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
275 degrees75 degrees
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115-22 ft. lbs., step 2: 3415–22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air 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) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory 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.

In the federal record, the 2013 Chevrolet Impala sits at the end of the 2006–2013 run and shows one of the cleanest profiles of that generation: 270 complaints, 1 recall, 0 investigations, and 1,538 TSBs. Complaints and recalls trended downward from the 2008–2009 peak—810 and 824 complaints with 2–5 recalls each year—to 258 complaints and 3 recalls in 2012, and 2013 continues that low-complaint, low-recall pattern. The 2014 redesign immediately reversed the trend, jumping to 630 complaints, 12 recalls, and 2 investigations, so 2013 represents the calm before that spike. The leading 2013 complaint categories were ESC (41), electrical system (18), ESC/service brakes (15), and steering (12), with 16 crash-related complaints and no fire complaints; the data does not specify root causes. Because 2013 carries fewer federal complaints and recalls than both the preceding mid-generation years and the following redesign year, it is comparatively one of the safer model years to buy in this record—provided a pre-purchase inspection confirms the ESC/brake and steering items have been addressed.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1538
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
270
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 0 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
’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 270 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)41
Electrical System18
Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes15
Steering12
Air Bags11
Power Train10
Engine8
Unknown Or Other7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V355000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 23/06/2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1538 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…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis 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 Impala. 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 34 batteryVehicles taking 6.0 qtEngine oil filter 12731742Engine air filter 20862288Spark plug 12681660Front wiper blades 23367644

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 2013 Impala take?

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

Does the 2013 Impala have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Impala get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.