Chevrolet Malibu Oil Type & Capacity
GarageDex's oil-spec data shows the Chevrolet Malibu takes 0W-20 engine oil, about 4.2 qt with a filter change, on 2023-2026 models. Older ones take a different grade - 2020-2022 models use 0W-20 or 5W-30 (4.2-5 qt) - so check your year in the table below.
Oil by model year
| Model years | Oil type | Capacity | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-2026 | 0W-20 | 4.2 qt | Shop 0W-20 |
| 2020-2022 | 0W-20 / 5W-30 | 4.2-5 qt | Shop 0W-20Shop 5W-30 |
| 2016-2019 | 0W-20 / 5W-30 | 4.2-5.3 qt | Shop 0W-20Shop 5W-30 |
| 2013-2015 | 0W-20 / 5W-30 | 5 qt | Shop 0W-20Shop 5W-30 |
| 2012 | 5W-30 | 5-6 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
| 2011 | 5W-30 | 5-5.5 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
| 2010 | 5W-30 | 4-5.5 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
| 2009 | 0W-30 / 5W-30 | 4-5.5 qt | Shop 0W-30Shop 5W-30 |
| 2008 | 5W-30 | 4-5.5 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
| 2005-2007 | 5W-30 | 4-5 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
Capacity is with a filter change and can vary by engine - open your exact year below for the per-engine figures and our sources. Shop links go to Amazon, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Every Malibu year
Frequently asked
What kind of oil does a Chevrolet Malibu take?
GarageDex's oil-spec data shows the Chevrolet Malibu takes 0W-20 engine oil, about 4.2 qt with a filter change, on 2023-2026 models. Older ones take a different grade - 2020-2022 models use 0W-20 or 5W-30 (4.2-5 qt) - so check your year in the table below.
How many quarts of oil does a Chevrolet Malibu take?
About 4.2 qt with a filter change on 2023-2026 models, and 4.2-5 qt on 2020-2022 models. Capacity varies by engine, so check your exact year for the per-engine figure - and finish on the dipstick rather than pouring in the full amount.
Does the oil type change by year on the Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes. We record 10 different factory specs across the years we cover - 2023-2026: 0W-20; 2020-2022: 0W-20/5W-30; 2016-2019: 0W-20/5W-30. Use the table above and confirm against your owner's manual.
Sources. The oil grade and capacity for 21 of 22 model years is checked against a cited source, most often CarSpecFinder - Chevrolet Malibu oil, AMSOIL lookup guide - 2025 Chevrolet Malibu, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo (LFV) and CarSpecFinder - Chevrolet Malibu oil. Each year page lists its own sources.
Last verified 2026-06-21. Maintained by Matan B., who runs GarageDex. How we verify.