Newbie Basic Questions
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4
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Newbie Basic Questions
Hi Guys,
I apologize in advance for asking these basic questions but I just bought a 1995 C4 Coupe and no manual came with it.
1.What is an acceptable brand of brake fluid? I bought a small bottle of STP Heavy Duty Brake Fluid,Dot 3. Is it ok to use it or should I use something different? I am from Australia and this dot stuff is new to me. Am I correct in saying that the Brake Fluid container is the white plastic container in the engine bay just in front of the steering wheel?
2.Where do I find Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30. I have been looking for it but I have not been able to find it yet. There is a sign on the Motor that says use Engine Oil that conforns to GM47L8m?
3.What sort and brand/s of Anti-freeze Coolant should I use? Are there different types or are they all the same? I am a bit confused here as I have never owned a car that use Antifreeze before. I appreciate your time. Many thanks.
I apologize in advance for asking these basic questions but I just bought a 1995 C4 Coupe and no manual came with it.
1.What is an acceptable brand of brake fluid? I bought a small bottle of STP Heavy Duty Brake Fluid,Dot 3. Is it ok to use it or should I use something different? I am from Australia and this dot stuff is new to me. Am I correct in saying that the Brake Fluid container is the white plastic container in the engine bay just in front of the steering wheel?
2.Where do I find Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30. I have been looking for it but I have not been able to find it yet. There is a sign on the Motor that says use Engine Oil that conforns to GM47L8m?
3.What sort and brand/s of Anti-freeze Coolant should I use? Are there different types or are they all the same? I am a bit confused here as I have never owned a car that use Antifreeze before. I appreciate your time. Many thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
1. STP DOT3 is acceptable. Might not be the ultimate (Valvoline Synthetic?), but it will work.
2. Mobil 1 should be available where you bought the brake fluid.
Auto parts stores? Even Sears? I don't know what stores are popular in Australia...
3. Use the pink Dex-cool anti-freeze. This may be available in more than one brand. Always use anti-freeze; it does a lot more than prevent the water from freezing.
Welcome to the world of C4 Corvettes.
Larry
code5coupe
2. Mobil 1 should be available where you bought the brake fluid.
Auto parts stores? Even Sears? I don't know what stores are popular in Australia...
3. Use the pink Dex-cool anti-freeze. This may be available in more than one brand. Always use anti-freeze; it does a lot more than prevent the water from freezing.
Welcome to the world of C4 Corvettes.
Larry
code5coupe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
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From: Santa Maria CA
Originally Posted by Aussievet
I am a bit confused here as I have never owned a car that use Antifreeze before.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Welcome to the Forum mate and congrats on your new '95 Vette. 
Actually you can use any top quality full synthetic motor oil of the proper VI range. I use Quaker State 5W40 in my old L98 as it's very convenient to do so.
Actually you can use any top quality full synthetic motor oil of the proper VI range. I use Quaker State 5W40 in my old L98 as it's very convenient to do so.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Any DOT3 is adequate, but different brands perform better. STP is just fine. The Ford Blue stuff is probably the best if you can find it, but I use Valvoline.
Dont worry about the specific GM requirement, get a good name brand synthetic oil. In Australia I cant imagine there isnt any Mobil 1, its at almost all autopart stores and at WalMart (and dont tell me there isnt walmart in australia).
You must use the pink AF, its dangerous to mix green coolant with the pink stuff. I use Prestone. All cars use antifreeze.
Dont worry about the specific GM requirement, get a good name brand synthetic oil. In Australia I cant imagine there isnt any Mobil 1, its at almost all autopart stores and at WalMart (and dont tell me there isnt walmart in australia).
You must use the pink AF, its dangerous to mix green coolant with the pink stuff. I use Prestone. All cars use antifreeze.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
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From: Glendale, AZ
Originally Posted by vader86
Any DOT3 is adequate, but different brands perform better. STP is just fine. The Ford Blue stuff is probably the best if you can find it, but I use Valvoline.
Dont worry about the specific GM requirement, get a good name brand synthetic oil. In Australia I cant imagine there isnt any Mobil 1, its at almost all autopart stores and at WalMart (and dont tell me there isnt walmart in australia).
You must use the pink AF, its dangerous to mix green coolant with the pink stuff. I use Prestone. All cars use antifreeze.
Dont worry about the specific GM requirement, get a good name brand synthetic oil. In Australia I cant imagine there isnt any Mobil 1, its at almost all autopart stores and at WalMart (and dont tell me there isnt walmart in australia).
You must use the pink AF, its dangerous to mix green coolant with the pink stuff. I use Prestone. All cars use antifreeze.
i have not seen regular GREEN antifreeze in a long time, and now that i think about it, i have not seen dex-cool either - just the "universal" stuff
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by Togo
i thought all the "major" plyers in the antifreeze market now have antifreeze that you can mix with any color?
i have not seen regular GREEN antifreeze in a long time, and now that i think about it, i have not seen dex-cool either - just the "universal" stuff
i have not seen regular GREEN antifreeze in a long time, and now that i think about it, i have not seen dex-cool either - just the "universal" stuff
But that doesnt mean that has trickled to Australia yet.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2005
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Newbie Basic Questions 2
Hi Guys,
Many thanks for your help. I am no longer in Australia but have only been in the States since end of March this year. I am not sure whether there are any Wal-Marts in Australia but plenty of K-Marts there for sure. Do any of you live near Hot Springs Village, Arkansas? I have plenty of questions but I don't want to take up your time on the forum. Eg. I have a crazy horn that sounds each time I have tried replacing the Horn Fuse that keep blowing. I tried disconnecting the battery and then replace the Horn Fuse. As soon as I reconect the battery, the horn sounds again until the Fuse blows. I am stumped. Dumb Aussie I am :-)
Many thanks for your help. I am no longer in Australia but have only been in the States since end of March this year. I am not sure whether there are any Wal-Marts in Australia but plenty of K-Marts there for sure. Do any of you live near Hot Springs Village, Arkansas? I have plenty of questions but I don't want to take up your time on the forum. Eg. I have a crazy horn that sounds each time I have tried replacing the Horn Fuse that keep blowing. I tried disconnecting the battery and then replace the Horn Fuse. As soon as I reconect the battery, the horn sounds again until the Fuse blows. I am stumped. Dumb Aussie I am :-)
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 34
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From: Joplin Missouri
My horn did the same thing Aussie, turned out the wire was shorted out under the air bag on the steering wheel. It got smashed flat when it was installed and finally wore through the insulation and started honking. BE CAREFUL working around the air bag!!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 111
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From: Wentzville MO
hot springs help
Get tuned in to http://www.centralarkcc.com/ and see if any of the great folks in the central Arkansas Corvette club can work with you. I buy my Mobil 1 at Wal-Mart. Filter too. AutoZone has all the fluids as well. Very easy to get help. Autozone will run the engine codes for free if you ask.