SaturnLS1, SC1, SW12000Overview/saturn/ls1-sc1-sw1/2000/base/

2000 Saturn LS1, SC1, SW1

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 LS1, SC1, SW1.

The 2000 Saturn LS1, SC1, and SW1 cover Saturn's sedan, coupe, and wagon offerings for the model year, all specified with a 4.2-quart engine oil capacity and 5W-30 API viscosity. In the reliability record, this model year sits near the quieter end of the spectrum, with just 8 owner complaints logged and only 2 recalls issued. The standout concern is the air bag system, which tops the complaint categories, so researchers should treat it as the primary focal point when assessing this year's field reports.

Model year200120001999199819971996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque92 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 75 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12580255. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 75 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12580255 alt 12605566
Engine air filter21000938
Fuel filter21009427 discontinued
Spark plug21025103
Front wiper blades21302527 discontinued · alt 21302526
Serpentine belt21008367 alt 21008366

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 92 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt
Power Steering FluidUSE GM PART NO. 89021184 OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts159 DOHC ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts22 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts13 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts92 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance8000-15,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque20 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.00-7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number75

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance11.8-12.6 @ 74 degreesF MFI ohms
Injector Primary Resistance12-13 na ohms

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle63 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.080 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in / 0.0004 in / 0.0003 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in / 0.001 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
233 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
390 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2155 degrees.155 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 at 150,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 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.

At 6,000 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 6,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 18,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel System (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 36,000 miRadiator Cap (inspect)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

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 2000 Saturn LS1, SC1, SW1 lead in one area — the air bags, 2 of 8 reports (25%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the air bags, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags 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.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
3
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
8
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Air Bags2
Electrical System,Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Steering1
Electrical System1
Seat Belts1
Suspension1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00V310000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock SwitchReported 12/10/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED… Remedy: SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF…

00V309000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 12/10/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIC3100F2017-11-07Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
SB-10-08-50-003B2011-11-01SeatsGENERAL MOTORS: INFORMATION PROVIDED BY BULLETIN FOR ALL 2012 AND PRIOR GENERAL MOTOR…
00T482000-09-01SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING SQUEAKING NOISE FROM DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEAT BACK. *JG

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 LS1, SC1, SW1. 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 2000 LS1, SC1, SW1 take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2000 LS1, SC1, SW1 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.