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1985 Chevrolet Suburban 2WD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1985 Suburban 2WD.

The 1985 Chevrolet Suburban 2WD represents the full-size, body-on-frame SUV platform that defined American utility hauling during this era, offering the same robust construction and tow-capable architecture that made the model line enduringly popular. This model year requires 6 quarts of engine oil with viscosity options spanning 20W-20, 15W-40, or 5W-30, reflecting the broad operating temperature tolerance expected of a vehicle designed for diverse load conditions. In terms of documented owner experience, the 1985 model stands out for its exceptional field performance with zero recalls issued and only 12 total owner complaints recorded across all categories, with tires accounting for the most frequently reported concern—a notably low complaint volume that positions this particular model year among the more dependable iterations of the Suburban's history.

Model year1995 1993 1985

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6 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 25160561. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	25160561
Engine air filter	08996118 alt 08997890
Fuel filter	5651803 discontinued · alt 25011765
Spark plug	19300382 alt 19354432
Front wiper blades	15184702
Serpentine belt	09433740 alt 09433722
Thermostat	14077122 alt 10105135

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	219.3 in
Overall width	79.5 in
Overall height	74 in
Wheelbase	129.5 in
Curb weight	4319 lb

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6 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	27.0 qt
Engine Oil	20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	6 qt
Engine Oil	20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	6 qt
Engine Oil	20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30

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 5,000 mi	Exhaust Pressure Regulator (inspect)
Every 5,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
At 6,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
At 7,500 mi	Choke System (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · Early Fuel Evaporation System (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Carburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · Early Fuel Evaporation System (inspect)
Every 10,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Intake System (inspect) · Radiator Fan Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust Pressure Regulator (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 24,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
At 30,000 mi	Early Fuel Evaporation System (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.

Owner complaints about the 1985 Chevrolet Suburban 2WD top in one area — the tires, 2 of 12 reports (17%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the tires 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

1 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 12 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires2

Seats2

Power Train2

Engine & Engine Cooling2

Steering1

Suspension1

Vehicle Speed Control1

Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

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 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
376602A	1995-01-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	NEW CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STAINLESS STEEL GASKET TO CORRECT ENGINE NOISE…

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 Suburban 2WD. 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 6 qt Engine oil filter 25160561 Engine air filter 08996118 Fuel filter 5651803 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 Suburban 2WD take?

6 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 Suburban 2WD have open recalls?

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