3K Two Oil Changes???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 696
Likes: 18
From: Jenkintown PA
3K Two Oil Changes???
It's not that I cheap nor afraid to get my hands dirty, but......
Your opinions please, is it really necessary to change oil and filter every 6 months if I'm driving only about 3K per year??? Wouldn't once a year be okay? BTW....it's a '91 and I use premium regular oil 5w/30w.
Many thanks for your thoughts!
SAVE THE WAVE
Your opinions please, is it really necessary to change oil and filter every 6 months if I'm driving only about 3K per year??? Wouldn't once a year be okay? BTW....it's a '91 and I use premium regular oil 5w/30w.
Many thanks for your thoughts!
SAVE THE WAVE
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Coopersville MI
Like 'Relic' I only put on about 2-4k miles per year. I change oil every spring, use Valvoline Max Life with some Lucas as well. I also run the car every month during the winter to get oil moving again, oil temp up, collant temp up, etc. I change my oil twice this year as I was driving and racing it more than I have in the past.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 696
Likes: 18
From: Jenkintown PA
Many thanks for the replies.....I should have mentioned in my original post that I do NOT store and DO drive the vette at least once or twice a month during the winter months when roads are clear.
SAVE THE WAVE
SAVE THE WAVE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 348
From: My interests are mobile
It's fine certainly. Oils have evolved over the years, but it's one of those cheap processes to perform so why change it. Plus, if I were an oil company selling oil that lasts 100,000 miles, I'd still want you to buy some new stuff every 3mo/36k. Many newer cars, such as certain model mercedes use an optical sensor to determine oil life, and with good condition motors that can be as much as 15,000+miles.
Don't sweat it, just change it before the car begins to sit for prolonged periods like stated.
Don't sweat it, just change it before the car begins to sit for prolonged periods like stated.
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From: New Jersey - National Corvette Museum Member '08, '09, '10, '11, '12
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,027
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From: Woodland CA
I had mine changed at 81,000 when I bought the car in March of this year. Its now November and the mileage is 86,000 and I still have not changed it. I was waiting for the dummy light to tell me to change it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Thats pretty much what I do also
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Woodland CA
I'm using Mobil 1 5-30. Since its synthetic it should be good for more that 5k miles since most of my miles are at highway speeds. According the manual:
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city maintenance schedule:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km). This is particularly important when outside temperatures are below freezing. Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your vehicle, you need to change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles (5 OOO km) or 3 months -- whichever occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to break down slower.
Your Corvette has an Oil Life Monitor. This feature will let you know when to change your oil and filter -- usually between 3,000 miles (5 O00 krn) and 7,500 miles (12 500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe conditions, the indicator may come on before 3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle more than 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months (whichever occurs first) without an oil change. The system won’t detect dust in the oil. So, if you drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL light comes on. Remember to reset the monitor when the oil has been changed. For more information, see “Engine Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city maintenance schedule:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km). This is particularly important when outside temperatures are below freezing. Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your vehicle, you need to change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles (5 OOO km) or 3 months -- whichever occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to break down slower.
Your Corvette has an Oil Life Monitor. This feature will let you know when to change your oil and filter -- usually between 3,000 miles (5 O00 krn) and 7,500 miles (12 500 km) since your last oil change. Under severe conditions, the indicator may come on before 3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle more than 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months (whichever occurs first) without an oil change. The system won’t detect dust in the oil. So, if you drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL light comes on. Remember to reset the monitor when the oil has been changed. For more information, see “Engine Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa Ontario
I change mine every fall when storing it (just did it last weekend). I usually use Mobil 1 but this time I used Castrol Syntec as it was 18.00 cheaper than Mobil 1 and exceeds all of the GM oil specs for our cars so should be fine.
