OldsmobileLSS1998Overview/oldsmobile/lss/1998/base/

1998 Oldsmobile LSS

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

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Oldsmobile LSS is a compact sedan built on Oldsmobile’s front‑wheel‑drive platform, powered by a gasoline engine that requires a 4.5‑quart capacity of 10W‑30 API‑rated oil and is mated to a standard 4‑speed automatic transmission. EPA ratings show it achieves 17 mpg in city driving, 27 mpg on the highway, and a 21‑mpg combined figure, reflecting a modest fuel economy for the era. In the broader context of the LSS line, this model year sits near the middle of the model’s reliability history, offering a relatively stable platform that has helped maintain its reputation for dependable daily use.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/27/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 690 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter, front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 · 690 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731175
Engine air filter19259030
Fuel filter25121293 discontinued
Spark plug12681664
Front wiper blades25689175 discontinued
Serpentine belt19172682 discontinued · alt 19244953
Thermostat24505924 alt 24506985

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200.4 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight3455 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 60.6 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 27 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume106 cu ft
Cargo volume18 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. 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 Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)22 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.2 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)15 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)13 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 11 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 11 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts35 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.5-.9 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5,000-8,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance690 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)48-55
RPM38-52 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 na ohms
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.26 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.26 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.224 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 3 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2120 degrees.120 degrees
3Bolts 1-430 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2120 degrees.120 degrees
3Bolts 1-430 degrees

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 miDoor Hinge (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Hood Hinge (lubricate) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Supercharger Assembly (inspect fluid condition)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · 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.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

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.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
05-06-04-035D2014-05-09Fuel System, GasolineThis informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may…

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 LSS. 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 LSS take?

4.5 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 LSS have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the LSS get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 27 highway / 21 combined mpg.