AMC Pacer

Coolant capacity & service interval

AMC Pacer coolant capacity ranges from 13,2 to 15 liters. Service intervals consist of checks every 12000 km or 8 months and changes every 12 months. The data covers 3 configurations.

The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.

TypeSpecifications
Pacer V8 (1978-1980)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 15 liter
  • Check 12000 km/ 8 months
  • Change 12 months
Pacer 232 (1975-1980)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 13,2 liter
  • Check 12000 km/ 8 months
  • Change 12 months
Pacer 258 (1975-1980)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 13,2 liter
  • Check 12000 km/ 8 months
  • Change 12 months

Additional Notes

  • The AMC Pacer 232 and 258 inline-six engines share an identical cooling system capacity of 13.2 liters, indicating no meaningful difference in coolant volume between the two displacement variants despite the 258's larger bore and stroke.
  • The Pacer V8, available from 1978-1980, carries a notably larger cooling system capacity of 15 liters, reflecting the greater thermal output and larger block size associated with V8 architecture compared to the inline-six configurations.
  • Across all three engine configurations, the coolant check interval is set at 12,000 km or 8 months under normal use conditions, whichever comes first, combining both a distance and a time threshold.
  • The coolant change interval for all three configurations is specified at 12 months under normal use conditions, meaning calendar time rather than mileage alone governs the replacement schedule.
  • The 8-month check interval arriving before the 12-month change interval creates a built-in mid-cycle inspection point, allowing condition assessment roughly two-thirds of the way through the annual service period.
  • The 1.8-liter difference in cooling system capacity between the inline-six engines at 13.2 liters and the V8 at 15 liters is a relevant factor when calculating the correct antifreeze-to-water ratio during a coolant service fill.

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