ChevroletMonte Carlo1998Overview/chevrolet/monte-carlo/1998/base/

1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

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

The 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a mid‑cycle iteration of the model’s long‑running line, utilizes a 4.5‑quart oil capacity with 5W‑30 API‑specified viscosity, reflecting the drivetrain’s service requirements. Owner feedback for that year recorded 102 complaints, with the most frequent issue centered on service brakes and hydraulic systems, and the vehicle was subject to four recalls. Within the broader 1990‑2010 complaint record, 1998 falls between the low of a single complaint in 1991 and the peak of 285 complaints in 2001, indicating a relatively moderate reliability standing for this generation.

Model year200720062005200420032002200120001998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 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 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeEX. Z34 P205/70R15, Z34 P225/60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ, na, 6.5-JJ, 6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731175
Engine air filter19166106
Fuel filter25121293 discontinued
Spark plug19301813 alt 12681664
Front wiper blades15214346 alt 10148004
Serpentine belt19244954 alt 19355282
Thermostat24507563 alt 24506986

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200.8 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3276 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)65/35

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.50 sec — 1998 Z34 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998Z34 Coupe 3.8L V67.50 sec15.70 sec200 hpFWD
1997Z/Sport Coupe 3.4L V68.50 sec16.30 sec215 hpFWD
1996Z34 Coupe 3.4L V67.80 sec15.50 sec215 hpFWD
1995Z34 Coupe 3.4L V67.80 sec15.50 sec210 hpFWD
1995Z34 Coupe 3.4L V67.80 sec16.00 sec210 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2. 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

Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)103 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts75 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)17 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5000-7000 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5000-7000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug TypeAC 41-940
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.88 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number78

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum47.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)40.5-47

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 148 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.039 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.039 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.987 in / 0.385 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10574 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110 ft. lbs., step 2: 76110 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
144 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
295
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2120 degrees120 degrees
3turn 30

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 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Shift Linkage (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 fifth-generation Monte Carlo (1995–1999) opened with elevated complaint volumes—214 in 1995 and 206 in 1996—before a steady decline to a low of 102 in 1998, then a rise to 135 in 1999. This arc suggests that early production issues were progressively resolved, making the 1998 model year the generation’s trough for owner-reported problems and the lowest TSB count (54). However, the 1998 car still carries 4 recalls and 3 investigations, with top complaint areas concentrated in service brakes (16), engine and cooling (12), and steering (12), plus 13 crash and 8 fire complaints. While it represents a relative improvement over the launch years, the data does not specify root causes for these persistent concerns. For a buyer, the 1998 Monte Carlo is the most refined option within this generation, but it remains a vehicle with notable safety and reliability flags that warrant a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
54
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
102
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 8 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 102 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic16
Engine & Engine Cooling12
Steering12
Fuel System, Gasoline7
Air Bags6
Electrical System6
Seats5
Engine4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V701000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 26/10/2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo… Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve…

09V116000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 08/04/2009

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 54 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
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…
17NA0732019-09-18EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…
PIC4696D2019-09-05EquipmentThis 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 Monte Carlo. 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 Monte Carlo take?

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

Does the 1998 Monte Carlo have open recalls?

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