Chevrolet›Silverado 3500 HD›2020›Overview/chevrolet/silverado-3500-hd/2020/base/

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Silverado 3500 HD.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD is a heavy-duty platform engineered with an engine requiring 8.0 quarts of 5W-30 oil to support its operational demands. Researchers evaluating this model year will find it occupies a cautious position in the vehicle's reliability history, having accumulated 28 owner complaints primarily focused on the powertrain. With 7 recalls also on record, these figures mean the 2020 iteration represents a specific point in the Silverado's lineage where mechanical vigilance is essential for prospective evaluation.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity8.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque140.0 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 48 · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12684038. 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 48 · 730 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeLT275/65R20/E 126/123SOEM · verified

Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12684038 alt 12731742
Engine air filter	84554703 alt 84121219
Fuel filter	13539108
Spark plug	12622441
Battery	88866309 alt 88865934
Front wiper blades	84578275
Serpentine belt	12732707 alt 12658178
Thermostat	12680544 alt 12680457
Cabin air filter	13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	241.3 in
Overall width	81.1 in
Overall height	75.6 in
Wheelbase	156.7 in
Curb weight	4674 lb
Track (front / rear)	68.1 / 68.1 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 8.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, Synthetic · SAE 75W90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	10L1000: Dexron ULV, 6L90: Dexron VI
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	10L1000
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Brake Fluid Capacity	2.11 pt
Differential Gear Oil	Synthetic · SAE 75W90
Engine Coolant	Dex-Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity	15.5
Engine Coolant	Dex-Cool

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	18.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	11.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	173.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	15.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug	Front: 18.0-; Rear: 18.0-
Differential drain Plug	Front: 18.0-; Rear: 18.0-
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission	Front: 18.0; Rear: 74.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	129.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	129.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	140.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	15.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1–8–7–2–6–5–4–3
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)	680 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.037-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	1.4 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	730 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	Auxiliary: 48
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	Auxiliary: 730 cca

Service checks

Primary Fuel Pump Pressure	Maximum @ At Idle Speed = 120 MPa
Secondary Fuel Pump Pressure	54.0-65.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	46.0-88.0
Engine Oil Pressure	25.0
Engine Oil Pressure	22
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 55.0; Rear: 55.0
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 221.0; Rear: 221.0
ABS Sensor Torque	Front: 6.6; Rear: 6.6
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1.516
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish	Front: 1.535
Vented Rotor Maximum Scoring Depth	Front: 0.059; Rear: 0.059
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	Front: 0.001; Rear: 0.001

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts) — tightening sequence 1 stages

74.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 270°, Step 3: 74.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 175°-185°

74 ft. lbs

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°-130°

148 ft. lbs

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

85°-100°

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages

48.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°

48 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 85°

15 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

26.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 30° Step 3: 30° Step 4: 30°

26 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 45°

11 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

59.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 60° Step 3: 60°

59 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 45°

11 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

59.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 60° Step 3: 60°

59 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs. Step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

72.0 ft.lbs. Step 2: 97.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 60° Side Bolts Step 1: 59.0

72 ft.lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

At 6,000 mi	Wheel Lug Nut (torque)
Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Windshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 75,000 mi	Hood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

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 provided federal record for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD shows no recalls or investigations, but the complaint data reveals 6 powertrain issues, 5 service brake problems, 3 electrical system complaints, and 2 engine complaints, along with one crash and one fire incident. However, the year-by-year record only includes 1997 and 1998 data—far earlier generations—so no meaningful trend across the 2020 model’s generation can be established from this limited information. Without recall or investigation figures for 2020 or adjacent years, it is impossible to assess whether this year falls in a problematic arc or a stable one. Based solely on the available numbers, the 2020 model shows a moderate number of complaints concentrated in the powertrain and brakes, plus a fire report, but the absence of recall data means the severity of these issues is unclear. Given the lack of comparative context and the presence of multiple complaint areas, this is not a clearly recommended year to buy without further research into specific powertrain and brake reliability.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

730

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 28 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train6

Service Brakes5

Electrical System3

Engine2

Power Train,Engine1

Power Train,Engine,Engine & Engine Cooling1

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V142000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:LatchReported 12/03/2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The hood-latch striker wires may not have been heat-treated properly, possibly causing them to… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood assembly, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020…

20V792000Seat BeltsReported 17/12/2020

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 730 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT5161L	2025-07-31	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP5865E	2025-07-28	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the possibility of DTC P30BF failing on low…
PIT6405	2025-06-23	Unknown Or Other	This PI is to inform dealers of a possible issue with an LVDS cable causing the radio to…
N252494770-01	2025-06-20	Unknown Or Other	Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners…
N252494770	2025-06-17	Unknown Or Other	Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners…

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 Silverado 3500 HD. 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.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 8.0 qt Engine oil filter 12684038 Engine air filter 84554703 Fuel filter 13539108 Spark plug 12622441

Reference guides

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

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 Silverado 3500 HD take?

8.0 qt of 5W-30 Use GM Dexos 1 Oil or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 Silverado 3500 HD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.