chadwick

I recently did the second oil change in my 2001 C5 at 7000 miles. To my surprise, the engine took exactly 6.5 quarts to get the dipstick to read full when cold. This seems contrary to what a lot of other folks have said about needing 7 quarts to get to the full line.

I've been struggling with trying to correctly read the dipstick ever since I had the car, but this time it was clear as day. Makes me realize that the dealer that did my first oil change at ~2500 miles did not put the proper amount of oil in, grr.

CJ-Z06

Did you have the car level or real close to level while draining? The C5 needs to drain for at least 7 minutes while level or slightly tilted toward the rear. If it is not done properly then all the oil does not come out. Hope that helps, if you did that and your dipstick reads full then you are ok, although I don't think that .5 quart will change your reading much.

:seeya

chadwick

Yup, perfectly level. I checked it. And I let it drain for about 45 minutes while I was off doing other stuff.

vettenuts

Did mine myself, 6.5 quarts brought it half way between add and full on the dipstick when cold.

Tom/99

I let my warm oil drain, between ten and twenty minutes. It takes six and a half quarts to show full on the dip stick.

Vetts Forever

Not sure if this is part of the issue, but some fill the new oil filter prior to putting it in...adding to the "more than 6.5 qts used' statement.

CJ-Z06

It sounds like 6.5 is ok. I have never done mine yet, 1750 miles on it. When I do I will take note and see. I was just trying to make sure you had the oil all out. It sounds like you did. So 6.5 must be ok, everyone else is around that too.

:seeya

David Lively

I fill the new filter before installing it; old habit from turbo cars that avoids a few seconds of oil starvation the first time you start it.

MySea6

If I drain my 01' when level, only see 6.5 qts. No matter how long I let it drain.
If I lift the rear end a few inches higher than the front, it will drain 7 qts everytime.
Go figure :confused:

ghost.rider

I always prime my oil filters before installation and the official shop manual specs for my 1999 LS1 are 6 1/2 qts including the filter change and coincidentally that is what it takes to get it to the full level on the dipstick. I do think it is important to get the car level and let it sit a while before checking the level.

jbsblownc5

Mine takes just shy of 8 Quarts to fill it. That includes the extra for the Supercharger and the oil cooler. :D
JB

Sir Sel

What kinda of oil and weight do you use?

jbsblownc5

I've recently switched to Amsoil 0w30 2000 series. They say this is there best oil. I broke my heel shortly after switching and have not really been able to make a judgement yet.
JB

luvinc5

Fow what it's worth, my 99 takes exactly 6.5 quarts per oil change to read full.

rbeckham

Chadwick - it is impossible (and not worth trying) to get every drop out of the sump when changing oil. Just do the best you can. Fill the new filter before you install, and make sure the stick says "full" or maybe a little bit more when you refill. Start & run, make certain there are no leaks, then shut down and check again after 30 minutes. Add if necessary to to the "full" line or a half quart more if you are taking the car to the track.

Lawdogg

If you don't raise the back of the car a couple of inches (I drive the rear tires up on 2x4s), you will leave a 1/2 of qt. in the oil pan. With the rear raised, it will take about 7 qts. Preferred procedure is to have the rear slightly higher than the front. :yesnod:

C5go

7 qts. exactly for my 2k1. I always lift her big ole rear a few inches more than the front for complete drainage.

Mark S.

They designed the drain fill for the that inexperienced kid at Jiffy Lube who will only let it drain for about 5-6 minutes (level because it's in the pit) and because of that only about 6.5 quarts (with filter change) will drain. If you do a "complete" drain...i.e. lift the rear...you will get a total of 7.0 qts out of her. Dave Hill and his brethen engineers will tell you that 6.5 qts is the proper refill. I just put in 6.75 qts and make it compromise now (BTW, 6.5 qts registers only halfway on my dipstick).

Mike99C5HT

The manual states 6.5 for my 99 and that's what it takes to read full. Aren't the dipsticks on the '01's and '02's screwed up somehow? I thought I remember a heated debate on the subject a while back. In any case, that extra .5 qt. isn't going to hurt anything. You should actually overfill by a quart anytime you go open track racing so the pump doesn't suck dry under lateral load. :cheers: