The Silverado trim was the top level for the 1997 Chevrolet C1500's, and like many pickup trucks, it had plenty of available options to allow buyers to fit it to their needs. Within these options were three different rear differentials, and all three of them had different fluid capacities.
The amount of oil that 1997 Chevrolet Silverado's differential holds depends on the size of its ring gear. If it has a 9.5-inch ring gear, it requires 2.75 quarts. If your pickup has a 10.5-inch ring gear, then it needs 3.25 quarts. If it has the 11-inch ring gear, then it needs 4 quarts of oil. To refill the differential after draining it or due to a leak, Chevrolet recommends filling it to within a half-inch of the bottom of the filler hole in the rear axle. Chevrolet recommends using 80W-90 GL-5 gear oil when refilling any of the the differentials.
