ChevroletMetro1998Overview/chevrolet/metro/1998/base/

1998 Chevrolet Metro

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Metro.

The 1998 Chevrolet Metro is a subcompact that requires 3.5 quarts of 5W-30 API-rated oil for engine service, and in this model year it accumulated six owner complaints—none serious enough to trigger any recalls—with structural issues representing the primary concern reported by owners. Looking at the broader 1997-2000 complaint history, the 1998 model stands out as the peak of owner dissatisfaction with those six reports, compared to just one complaint in 1997, the lowest point in the Metro's reliability trajectory during this period.

Model year20012000199919981992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque45 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 26R · 390 CCA battery, OE oil filter 19468075. 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 26R · 390 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-, 6.5-JJ; 6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter19468075 alt 25322837
Engine air filter25099251 alt 25099249
Spark plug19354429 alt 19302733
Front wiper blades15757007 alt 91171295
Serpentine belt30016435 alt 30020418
Thermostat96069300

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length149.6 in
Overall width62.6 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase93.3 in
Curb weight1792 lb
Track (front / rear)54.7 / 53.5 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

15.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 15.90 sec — 1998 3-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
19983-door Hatchback 1.0L I-315.90 sec20.30 sec55 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 45 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Power Steering FluidUSE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.5 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)44 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)43 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts12 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps3
Cylinder Head Steps3

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts45 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub129 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)850 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance1.35-1.65 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance22,100-29,900 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug TypeR42XLS
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.35 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type150
Oil Capacity3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number26R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance390 cca
Standard BCI Group Number26R

Service checks

Pressure Test13 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief12.8 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature190-197 °F
Pressure Test13 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature190-197 °F
RPM23-31 @ Idle rpm
RPM28.4-35 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 200mm REAR DRUM
Torque Caliper to Bracket29-43 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle45 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH 200mm REAR DRUM
Drum Runout Limit0.0016 in
Drum Nominal Diameter7.874 in / 7.1 in
Drum Discard at-or-over7.953 / 7.165

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 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Vehicle Wiring Harnesses (inspect)
Every 100,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

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 1998 Chevrolet Metro sits at the low-volume end of a generation that generated very few federal complaints and no recalls or NHTSA investigations through 2000. In 1998, complaints rose to 6 from just 1 in 1997, then settled back to 3 in both 1999 and 2000; meanwhile, TSBs climbed steadily from 4 in 1997 to 18 in 1998, 23 in 1999, and surged to 218 in 2000, so 1998 is early in the service-information ramp-up rather than the peak. The 1998 complaint profile is dominated by structure (4 of 6 complaints), with single entries for air bags and engine/cooling, and there were no crash- or fire-related complaints. Because the federal record shows no recalls or investigations for 1998 and the model-year-specific complaint count is modest, the 1998 Metro looks relatively unproblematic from a safety-regulatory standpoint. However, the data does not specify root causes, and the rising TSB trend suggests later years received more documented repair guidance. On balance, 1998 appears to be one of the better years to buy in this generation, provided a prospective owner verifies the structure-related concerns and overall condition.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
18
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
6
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 6 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Structure4
Air Bags1
Engine & Engine Cooling1

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 18 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
17-NA-0732023-02-21EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…
PIP4723F2022-01-14Service Brakes, HydraulicThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIP4723D2020-01-31Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIC4696E2019-11-22EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
17NA0732019-09-18EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…

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 Metro. 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Metro take?

3.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Metro have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.