1988 Chevrolet Spectrum MPG and Fuel Economy

On this page, you will find a complete guide to the miles per gallon and fuel efficiency data for the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum.

The 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum has 2 model options: Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L and Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L.

The 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L runs on regular gasoline and is in the Subcompact Cars car class.

The 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L runs on regular gasoline and is in the Subcompact Cars car class.

🛣 How Many Miles per Gallon (MPG) Does a 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum Get?

Across all models, the combined average MPG for the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum is 31 miles per gallon.

The table below breaks down the MPG for each model option:

Model OptionCombined MPGCity MPGHighway MPG
Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L282630
Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L333137

💵 What is the Average Yearly Fuel Cost for a 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum?

The average fuel costs for all models of the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum is $2,075.

The average fuel costs have been estimated by government regulators based on 15,000 miles driven per year, using regular gasoline, and a split of 55% city driving and 45% highway driving.

Comparing a 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum to an average vehicle over 5 years, you will save $1,125 on fuel.

The table below shows the fuel costs and 5-year save/spend for each model option:

Model OptionFuel Cost5-Year Save/Spend
Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L$2,250save $250
Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L$1,900save $2,000

🛢 How Many Barrels of Petroleum Does a 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum Consume?

Across all models, the average number barrels of petroleum that the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum will consume in one year is 10 barrels.

The majority of the world's petroleum is sourced from countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, and the United States.

Model OptionBarrels
Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L11
Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L9

💨 How Many Grams of CO2 Does a 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum Emit?

The 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum will emit an average of about -15,000 grams of CO2 per year.

🌳 To help you understand the impact of this, a normal tree will absorb around 21,000 grams of CO2 per year. This means that roughly 1 tree would be needed to offset emissions from the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum.

Overview

The tables below cover all of the miles per gallon, engine specifications, and emission details we have for the 2 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum model options.

Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L

The table below contains all of the details we have for the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L:

City MPG26
Highway MPG30
Combined MPG28
Save/Spend vs Average CarSave $250
Fuel Cost$2,250
Fuel Type 1Regular
Barrels of Petroleum11
Grams of CO2-15,000
Trees Needed to Offset-1
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
Cylinders4
Displacement1.5
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd
Vehicle ClassSubcompact Cars
Start/Stop?No
Supercharged?No
Turbocharged?No

Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L

The table below contains all of the details we have for the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.5 L:

City MPG31
Highway MPG37
Combined MPG33
Save/Spend vs Average CarSave $2,000
Fuel Cost$1,900
Fuel Type 1Regular
Barrels of Petroleum9
Grams of CO2-15,000
Trees Needed to Offset-1
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
Cylinders4
Displacement1.5
TransmissionManual 5-spd
Vehicle ClassSubcompact Cars
Start/Stop?No
Supercharged?No
Turbocharged?No

Link To or Reference This Page

If you use this page in your research, please reference MPG Buddy as the source.

  • "1988 Chevrolet Spectrum MPG and Fuel Economy." MPG Buddy. Accessed on January 3, 2026. https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/chevrolet/spectrum/1988.

  • "1988 Chevrolet Spectrum MPG and Fuel Economy." MPG Buddy, https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/chevrolet/spectrum/1988. Accessed January 3, 2026.

  • 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum MPG and Fuel Economy. MPG Buddy. Retrieved from https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/chevrolet/spectrum/1988.