Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 P-Series RV/Van Commercial Chassis.
The 1996 Chevrolet P‑Series RV/Van Commercial Chassis is a purpose‑built chassis intended for recreational‑vehicle and van applications, and it is serviced with 5.5 qt of 5W‑30 API engine oil. Its lubrication requirement reflects the engine’s design for durability in commercial duty. Owner feedback for the model year shows a single complaint, which was related to the parking brake, and there were no recalls filed. This minimal issue record places the 1996 P‑Series among the more reliable entries in the chassis’ history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery. 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.
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 62.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. 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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | 80W-90 · GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 8.5 qt |
| Engine Coolant | DEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.5 qt |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7 qt |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 74 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 74 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 110 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 40 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 62.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 100 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-6-5-4-3-2 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | AC Delco |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.060 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 11-14 ft-lbs |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | AC Delco |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.060 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 14.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 78 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 600 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 78 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 600 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 78 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 600 cca |
| Pressure Test | 20 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 15 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 188-206 °F |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 66.0 psi |
| Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO) | 60-66 |
| RPM | 50-63 @ Idle rpm |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 66.0 psi |
| Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO) | 60-66 |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Bolts 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16 | 67 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17 | 80 degrees |
| 1 | 20 ft. lbs. | 20 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 55 ft. lbs. | 55 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 55 ft. lbs. | 55 ft. lbs |
| 4 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 20.0 ft. lbs. | 20 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 55.0 ft. lbs. | 55 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 55.0 ft. lbs. | 55 ft. lbs |
| 4 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 30.0 ft. lbs. | 30 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 60.0 ft. lbs. | 60 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 80.0 ft. lbs. | 80 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 30.0 ft. lbs. | 30 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 60.0 ft. lbs. | 60 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 80.0 ft. lbs. | 80 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs., step 2: 30 | 22 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet P-Series RV/Van Commercial Chassis dominate in one area — the parking brake, 1 of 1 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the parking brake pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 5 of 42 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17-NA-073 | 2023-02-21 | Equipment | This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action… |
| G-197151 | 2014-07-29 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 00064H - SPECIAL COVERAGE (REVISED PART INFORMATION). SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A… |
| 130089009 | 2013-09-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules |
| 000604003B | 2003-02-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ROUGH IDLE AFTER START, AND/OR A SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT. VARIOUS MODELS… |
| 00064C | 2002-09-01 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC DIESEL FUEL INJECTION PUMP, LEAKING TO COMPLAINTS OF POOR… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.