ChevroletMetro1999Overview/chevrolet/metro/1999/base/

1999 Chevrolet Metro

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Metro.

The 1999 Chevrolet Metro requires 3.5 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil and has generated three total owner complaints with zero recalls on record. With engine concerns representing the top reported problem area, this model year falls between the 1997 model, which logged the lowest complaint count in the 1997–2000 span at one, and the 1998 model, which posted the highest at six. That positioning makes the 1999 edition a relatively moderate year within this four-year window, drawing more owner reports than the 1997 baseline but significantly fewer than the peak recorded for 1998.

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 plug19302733 alt 19354429
Front wiper blades15757007 alt 91171295
Serpentine belt30020418 alt 30014091
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, the oil drain plug to 26.0 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 Pulley and/or Damper Bolts12 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps3
Cylinder Head Steps3
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs

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) · Ignition Coil (inspect) · 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 federal record from 1997 to 2000 indicates a low complaint volume for this generation, with the 1999 model year logging 3 complaints compared to 6 in 1998 and 1 in 1997. While there were zero recalls across all four years, Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) rose steadily from 4 in 1997 to 23 in 1999, just before surging to 218 in 2000. Specific complaint areas for 1999 include the Engine, Unknown Or Other,Engine, and Fuel System, Gasoline, with the data specifying one fire complaint among the three total issues. This positions the 1999 model in a moderate spot within the generation's arc, showing fewer consumer complaints than the preceding year but preceding a significant increase in documented service bulletins. Consequently, the 1999 model represents a statistically favorable year to buy within this range, provided the buyer acknowledges the isolated fire complaint.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
23
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Engine1
Unknown Or Other,Engine1
Fuel System, Gasoline1

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 23 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…
19NA2732019-12-02Electrical SystemThis informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to…
PIC4696E2019-11-22EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…

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 1999 Metro take?

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

Does the 1999 Metro have open recalls?

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