I have a 1996 Corvette LT1 with 187,000 miles that I recently bought. The car is in great condition.

I am planning on doing my own oil changes to my Vette. However, what kind of oil should I use? Where can I get it? How about oil filter? Air filter? Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

oil 10W30 Mobil 1

filter: PF52E

 

The owners manual states

What Kind of Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM4718M
The Corvette engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this Standard
may be identified as synthetic. However, not all
synthetic oils will meet this GM Standard. You
should look for and use only an oil that meets GM
Standard GM4718M.

SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, yocua n use SAE
1OW-30 if it’s going tob e 0°F (-18°C) or above.
These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as
SAE 20W-50.

Air Cleaner Filter ....... A1097C GM Part No. 25096933 or equivalent
Engine Oil Filter . . . . . PF52 GM Part No. 25010908 or equivalent

The above information is from the manual.


You can get them at the dealer, but they will be expensive there.

Your local Walmart usually has good prices on the oil. Mobil 1 was the factory fill on the LT1's and a lot of people recommend it.

I don't mind Fram for the air filters, but I would NOT recommend their oil filters. Do some searches about filter construction and you can see how cheaply made they are. They are also marketed under a lot of different brand names.

There are a lot of choices and opinions on oil filters but I like Wix and usually use Purolator.

 

i appreciate all your help. Btw, today I got my "Service Engine Soon" light on. Should I worry? I checked the oil and it does have enough. It may need an oil change but i am assuming the "Change Oil" will come out instead. Does anyone know the reasons why "Service Engine Soon" would show up?

Maybe the gas I put? I just did buy the car. However, I recently did fill up the tank and did use Premium gasoline which is recommended. Hmm, maybe the previous owner only used Regular gasoline? Idk. I will give it some time for the gasoline to settle. Anyone else know what it could be???

Needs help!

Thanks!

 

Go somewhere like Autozone and have them read the codes. That will tell you what is going on.

 

Seriously? The light is just there as a conversation piece, no different than every other car. I'd ignore it until the engine grenades. Admittedly it's much more fun to guess which of the ~100 codes might be setting that light. I would certainly never drive to any of the various auto part stores that will scan the car and tell you the code for free.

 

 

He bought that car yesterday and already has a SES light on. I can't wait for this guy to ask about antifreeze, tires, headers, brakes and the C5 kit for C4s.

OP, open the hood and look at the front of the engine and tell us how it looks like down there. There got to be lots of questionable issues if your "new" Vette with 187,000 miles. I'm beginning to understand why the PO sold it.

 

I will not even go there. To all others....thanks guys!

 

That would be wise...Play nice gentlemen.

 

i have been using mobil one 5w30. i will also reccomend the PF52 AC Delco filter. i will also use a Napa gold filter and a Purolator Pure One filter. according to the previous owner, he and the original owner of my 94 have only used mobil one oil. the engine runs perfect, leaks nothing and when you remove the oil fill cap, there is absolutely NO sludge. it looks brand new in there! so, when i heard advance auto was having their mobil one deal, i snagged 5 quarts of mobil one and a filter for $30!

 

Classy move.... Welcome to the Forum [Madness] 187? on Clock? Just broken in....

 

Looks like a nice vette, more pictures? We love pics here!

 

I would wait for the gas to settle....

 

$4.08 and climbing here in Idaho for premium.

 

Buy a Factory Service Manual (not a Haynes, Chiltons, etc). It will expain how to read the codes using the digital dash.

In the meantime, this will walk you through the process

 

Good Form!!!! As a "noob" (new CF member) every once in awhile some of the guys will jerk your chain a bit but understand it's usually all in fun, and you're already off to a good start with your reply In the toolbar on the main page is a Search button that some will automatically recommend you use, but generally no legit question goes unanswered. When you do have spare time just play around with the search feature and once you get the hang of it you'll be amazed at what topics you can find and the responses/solutions as well. Many of the people here are absolute experts on these cars, and what they know and share with the rest of us is invaluable.
If you haven't as of yet it's a VERY good idea to get a Factory Service Manual (FSM) for the year of your vette and keep it close. Look in the C4 For Sale section and periodically one will come up for sale, you can also post a Want To Buy, or you can also try Ebay. Just one repair you can do yourself will usually cover the initial cost, but be forewarned it can get very technical sometimes especially for any electrical gremlins that show up.
Welcome to the asylum....I meant the forum

astepup said that

 

same here in s-central pa

 

Check your fuel cap. If it isn't on right or leaks, the check engine light will come on.

 

$4.50 in SoCal :/