JayTee72

Getting ready for my first oil change in my 'new' c5. I guess I'm "old school" in the fact that this 5w-30 oil they're putting in these cars nowadays seems really thin. I was wondering do any of you out there switch during the summer months to maybe 10w-30, to compensate for the higher temps? I used to do that actually in my 2000 Trans Am I had several years ago. I used Mobil 1 synth. in her as well. Both cars basically have the same engine, right?

Any of you do this? or is there something specific to a c5 (or a corvette in general) that you should use only whats recommended?

Thanks...

CARRJET

most people with a stock engine use 5W30 that's recommended in the owners manual. The first number is the viscosity of the oil when cold. If you change to a different weight during startup oil will not flow as good and you risk unnecessary wear.

jackthelad

I use 5-30 M1 Extended Mileage - similar spec. to the M1 that was being sold when the car was new. Has never needed a top up between changes, and starts easily all year round. Annual mileage is lower these days, so it gets an annual oil/filter change rather than relying on the Oil Life displayed, which would let me run a couple of years if I believed it.

I use the same stuff in the family Subaru (turbo) and my K1500. Get it from Wallies. or when Advance or Autozone has it on sale.

Modern engines are designed for thin oils - bearing clearances are tighter, etc., so unless you are tracking it, no need IMO for anything else.

73Corvette

There are nearly 3500 post in just these two links, there may be thousands more if needed..

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...10-w-30-a.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...bil-1-oil.html

dadaroo

The LS1 engine was designed and tested to use 5W30. The only way I would use anything different in a stock motor would be if Evil-Twin endorsed it. He was an engineer on the LS1 design team.

Chicago1

sweet another oil debate..Just what we needed!!!

73Corvette

So now your stuck between dadaroo and 8vette7...

Good luck with that one...

JayTee72

I would be fascinated to hear what he says.

I live in Maryland, and throughout the last year I have seen temps from below zero to about 100 F. The vette WOULD get driven in the colder months, just probably not quite as often, especially if snow/salt on the roads.

Thinking 10w30 from Apr.- Oct. and 5w30 from Oct. - Apr.

Keeping same brand of oil, of course. (Recommended Mobil 1 Syn.)

Just a thought. Probably much ado about nuthin'. Can't ya tell I'm a newbie, lol? Gettin' all **** and such.

73Corvette

Yup... been there doing that. lol If your concern is the oil being TOO thin. STOP that is NOT a concern. If you want to run a 10w it's not going to hurt your motor unless you are starting it in very cold conditions....relax and enjoy your vette.

What year is your vette, we'll see if we can dig up some things for you to REALLY worry about.

dbaker

FWIW.....I run Amsoil 0w30 in my 96 GST,02Z06 & 03S2000.Over 300k combined miles with NO probs.

Just say'in.

\db2
Carolina

The Big Guy

New since 8 - 20 - 98 Mobil 1 and 160,000 miles later, no problems. change once a year. 6 speed coupe. Pay's your $ takes your choice !

JayTee72

lol I know where this is going already. ...........speaking of "been there, done that".

It is a '99, and I have already come across a few of the common 'issues'. It is what it is...

73Corvette

Have fun...If I had a 99 and my EBCM went out I would be tickled pink I don't like a damn computer driving my car anyway! Your in the right place for sure....have a great summer!

jackthelad

I'm just across the Potomac in WV - same temps. I drive my C5 all year round, always have done. No cold or hot weather issues at all. The manual says it all.

obnoxus

30w is 30w !!! the 5, or 10 is only valid for the first few mins of runtime,,,,,personally I want it to flow as good as possible when I first start my car,,,,,, Ill stick with the 5W/30

JayTee72

I hear ya bro, but why do I hear somewhere that the 5w30 'might' break down a little faster than the 10w30 over an extended period of time? Is that true? or no?

eevette2001

Computers can do things you can't do or can't do as fast. If you STUDY what this system REALLY DOES and how it does it. And you better get ready, it won't be all that long before cars WILL be driving themselves.

nullpointer

Been running 10w-30 (Amsoil ZRod) for years in the Northeast with no issues. In fact last two times I started the var it was 20 out.

Chicago1

Yup I'm screwed lol we should start talking about pull key and wait 10 seconds we haven't had that in the past 24 hours..

JayTee72

Yeah that was one of those "been there, done that" items I referred to earlier.