NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,919
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From: birmingham al
NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION!
Should I wait until the oil change light come's on
or change my oil every 3000 miles?
What is the interval for the oil change
light?
The car has 32,000 miles on it if that means anything.
Thank's
bhamvett
or change my oil every 3000 miles?
What is the interval for the oil change
light?
The car has 32,000 miles on it if that means anything.
Thank's
bhamvett
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 589
Likes: 1
From: Tucker GA
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bhamvett)
Welcome to the fraternity!!! I change my oil AND filter every 3,000 miles, without fail. I suggest you do also, especially if you do not have a service history on the car.
Bob White
Bob White
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
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From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bhamvett)
Your manual will explain the needed periods for oil changes, and how to reset the "change oil" light when it appears. If you do not have a manual, here are two sources: http://www.factoryautomanuals.com/ http://listings.ebaymotors.com/aw/pl...760/index.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
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From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bhamvett)
If YOU have not changed the oil, do it now. Use it as a baseline for service work. Repeat the LOF every 3000 miles or (and this is not mentioned too often) every three months. Rotate the tires every other oil change (unless you are running ZR1 rims). I think the oil change light will trip at about 5000 miles. Others will chime in on the above if I'm in error.
By the way, welcome and enjoy!
By the way, welcome and enjoy!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 755
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From: Patterson CA
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bhamvett)
I do mine the last weekend of every month. Why, because it's my daily driver and that equates to about 3,000 miles of commuting, not counting the weekend drives. :)
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
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From: RI
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bhamvett)
Every 3000 no questions no doubts. Engine is spec'd to burn 1/2 quart per 1000 miles by GM worse case, but most times never occurs, oil is the life blood of vechicle and should be taken seriously for changing it on time everytime. Seems most would agree at 3000 miles oil is no longer "clear" and should be changed as the detergents and metals begin to breakdown. Welcome!!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 71
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From: Hammond LA
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bhamvett)
Welcome! It is kinda hard to know what 32k means since we don't know the year of your Vette, but yes please keep up with the oil changes! I have used a set of Rhino ramps with GREAT success! I use Mobil One Synthetic (even though neither it nor Syntec is truly synthetic based anymore) - I also use the Pure One filter. In any case, welcome. Tell us more about your care and WELCOME AGAIN! :D :D :D :D :D
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Epping NH
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bhamvett)
Ugh! Changing every 3000 miles is now an urban legend and all you are doing is wasting the oil. Looks like Jiffy Lube's advertising is working.
If you are using synthetic you can easily go 6000 miles. As a matter of fact Mobil 1 use to advertise 20,000 miles with their oil.
If you are using synthetic you can easily go 6000 miles. As a matter of fact Mobil 1 use to advertise 20,000 miles with their oil.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 389
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From: Micco FL
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bac22)
Every 3,000 certainly won't hurt anything but the wallet. No need with synthetic oils. I change the oil when the light comes on and currently I'm at 143,371 miles on original motor... it rarely needs any oil either...only when I really pound on it. Have went around 6,500 miles until the light went on.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6
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From: Henderson NC
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (PTz-92-LT1)
I go every 5k as well in my 94 with Mobil1 and Fram filter. What's the deal with '3 months' ? Does oil go bad after 3 months in a car regardless of usage ?
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bhamvett)
I would change Mobil 1 Synthetic no more often than every 5K. Wasting money otherwise. I now do mine every 7.5K (and I'm a person who used to do every 2K on my other cars that were highway driven with regular oil).
As an experiment I determined that my oil change light comes on at around 10K, probably due mostly to easy highway miles, and a 160 degree thermostat. FrankLT4CE :seeya
As an experiment I determined that my oil change light comes on at around 10K, probably due mostly to easy highway miles, and a 160 degree thermostat. FrankLT4CE :seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
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From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bhamvett)
I do it every 3000mi with 5-30 Mobil 1. If it's good enough for a Z06, it's good enough for my new engine. I also put a bottle of Tribotech IJP additive in at the same time. No more spun rod bearings for me.
BIG JIM
BIG JIM
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bhamvett)
Filter is what needs changing at 3000mi, the Mobil 1 oil or other synthetic can go longer, up to 5000mi.
But you should get in the habit of changing it on a fixed schedule of 3k-3500mi.
But you should get in the habit of changing it on a fixed schedule of 3k-3500mi.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 524
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From: Port Charlotte Fl
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (vader86)
the higher the quality of the filter, the higher the quality of the filtered oil, short trrips are harder on any oil so it leaves more of the job to the filter, and does not deplete the additives as fast ( but does increase the acidic contents faster). Longer trips dont help the filter much, but do help the oil a great deal ( burns off condensation etc. But also burns off the additives faster as well.the OEM filter is very small ( 1/2 qt i believe) so has a very limited filtering capability, invest in a high quality filter, and high quality synthetic oil. The higher costs are more than offset by the increased change intervals, and increased longevity of your engine.
Of course i am a bit biased towards one particular brand ( see link in sig)
also a lot of good info contained there as well.
Even for DINO oil the 3000 mile change is a myth ( it dont hurt, but just changing the filter will have the same effect).
just my 0.02 worth
Of course i am a bit biased towards one particular brand ( see link in sig)
also a lot of good info contained there as well.
Even for DINO oil the 3000 mile change is a myth ( it dont hurt, but just changing the filter will have the same effect).
just my 0.02 worth
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
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (2HIP4U)
Rotate your tires? How would that be done exactly?
You cant do it if theyre not the same size.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (bac22)
Ugh! Changing every 3000 miles is now an urban legend and all you are doing is wasting the oil. Looks like Jiffy Lube's advertising is working.
If you are using synthetic you can easily go 6000 miles. As a matter of fact Mobil 1 use to advertise 20,000 miles with their oil.
If you are using synthetic you can easily go 6000 miles. As a matter of fact Mobil 1 use to advertise 20,000 miles with their oil.
I change every 3000 w/ Mobile 1 5W-30 and install a new K&N oil filter at each change as well. Only filters I would use would be: K&N, Mobil 1, AC UltraGuard.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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Re: NEWBIE-OIL CHANGE QUESTION! (BIG JIM 54)
I also put a bottle of Tribotech IJP additive in at the same time. No more spun rod bearings for me.
BIG JIM
BIG JIM
Inquiring minds want to know :D