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1985 Chevrolet S10 4WD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1985 S10 4WD.

The 1985 Chevrolet S10 4WD compact pickup, equipped with an engine requiring just 3 quarts of oil and accommodating a range of viscosities from 20W-20 to 5W-30, stands as a straightforward and utilitarian entry in the model’s early history. According to available reliability data, this year recorded a modest 15 owner complaints, with the power train being the most frequently cited area, alongside 3 recalls. These figures suggest a relatively uneventful reliability profile for the 1985 S10 4WD, positioning it as a typical example of the model’s first-generation durability without any standout systemic issues.

Model year2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1985

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type20W-20 / 15W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175 alt 94127546
Engine air filter	06486924 alt 25041542
Fuel filter	25055032 alt 5651803
Spark plug	19300382 alt 05614046
Front wiper blades	12363297 discontinued
Serpentine belt	14083347 alt 09433720
Thermostat	03050922 alt 03043066

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3 qt of 20W-20 / 15W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4.0 qt
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.6 qt
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	3 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 15,000 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Choke System (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Early Fuel Evaporation System (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque)
Every 7,500 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 10,000 mi	Air Intake System (inspect) · Radiator Fan Assembly (inspect) · Underbody Splash Shield (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · PCV System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 30,000 mi	Early Fuel Evaporation System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Choke System (inspect) · Distributor Assembly (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Early Fuel Evaporation System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 45,000 mi	Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Carburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · Throttle Body (torque) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1985 Chevrolet S10 4WD dominate in one area — the power train, 5 of 15 reports (33%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 3 recall campaigns target the power train, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 2 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train 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.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 15 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Power Train5

Engine & Engine Cooling4

Seat Belts2

Tires1

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Parking Brake1

Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
GM561204	1995-04-01	Structure	WATER LEAK AT THE A/C RECIRCULATION DOOR (INSTALL NEW HOOD HINGE SEAL). *TW
GM161514	1995-04-01	Latches/Locks/Linkages	END GATE LATCH RATTLE (INSTALL REVISED STRIKER). *TW
9310A343	1993-02-01	Visibility	FRONT DOOR SIDE GLASS BINDING/TRACK DISENGAGEMENT. *TW

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 S10 4WD. 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.

Vehicles taking 3 qt Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 06486924 Fuel filter 25055032 Spark plug 19300382

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1985 S10 4WD take?

3 qt of ABOVE 40 degrees F: 30, ABOVE 20 degrees F: 20W-20, ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 1985 S10 4WD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.