Oil Type Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Florida
Oil Type Question
I recently bought a 97 C5 with 69K miles and I am not sure what kind of oil the owner used in it. I have heard of problems switching from regular oil to synthetic, etc. The last owner did not have the car long (wife now pregnant) and I was not able to talk to the owner before him. What would you recommend I use on my next oil change?
Thanks,
Shannan
Thanks,
Shannan
Melting Slicks
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From: Port St. Lucie Florida
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Owners manual recommends Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil. 10W30 I believe. 10W40 won't hurt either.
There are other out there that are just as good or better. Royal Purple, Red Line, Pennsoil etc etc.
There are other out there that are just as good or better. Royal Purple, Red Line, Pennsoil etc etc.
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From: Newberry FL
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Well, my cap that came with my car recommends Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W/30, so that is what I am using. The differences in weight are more for weather conditions...that is if I remember correctly.
Micah
Micah
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From: Ohio
Originally Posted by mph1972
Well, my cap that came with my car recommends Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W/30, so that is what I am using. The differences in weight are more for weather conditions...that is if I remember correctly.
Micah
Micah
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I'd recommend Mobil 1 full synthetic 5W30 - its what is recommended in the owners manual.
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Mobil 1 5W30 or any other well formulated synthetic motor oil that passes the GM test. I do not know any regular engine oil that cites the GM spec on the bottle.
Yes you can go 10W30, but it is no cheaper.
5W30 will get more oil quicker to remote regions to lubricate the engine than 10W30.
5W30 in Engine test stands will also give slightly higher HP and gas mileage due to increased lubricity....
BUT those are under tightly controlled conditions and you may not see the same results in daily driving.
Yes you can go 10W30, but it is no cheaper.
5W30 will get more oil quicker to remote regions to lubricate the engine than 10W30.
5W30 in Engine test stands will also give slightly higher HP and gas mileage due to increased lubricity....
BUT those are under tightly controlled conditions and you may not see the same results in daily driving.
Drifting
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Recommend using Synthetic Mobil-1 5w30, or 10w30 (if temp never below 0 farenheit)
Shannan,
With the relatively low mileage on your car, even if the previous owners did not use synthetic, switching to synthetic should not be a problem nor cause any more leaks than already exist (we switched our 2000 TransAm with a LS1 engine to Castrol Syntec's synthetic oil at about 50k-60k with no leaks).
Therefore, most folks (including us in both vettes) use synthetic Mobil-1 5w30.
However, Assuming your location info is correct (kentucky), your area's temperatures might allow for a slightly different oil.
Assuming the temperature NEVER gets below zero (0) degrees farenheit, then you could instead use synthetic Mobil-1 10w30.
The subtle advantage of 10w30 oil is it may not contain Viscosity Index builders which are a less-than desireable additive (but required with anything lower than a 10w oil).
With the relatively low mileage on your car, even if the previous owners did not use synthetic, switching to synthetic should not be a problem nor cause any more leaks than already exist (we switched our 2000 TransAm with a LS1 engine to Castrol Syntec's synthetic oil at about 50k-60k with no leaks).
Therefore, most folks (including us in both vettes) use synthetic Mobil-1 5w30.
However, Assuming your location info is correct (kentucky), your area's temperatures might allow for a slightly different oil.
Assuming the temperature NEVER gets below zero (0) degrees farenheit, then you could instead use synthetic Mobil-1 10w30.
The subtle advantage of 10w30 oil is it may not contain Viscosity Index builders which are a less-than desireable additive (but required with anything lower than a 10w oil).
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Originally Posted by mph1972
Well, my cap that came with my car recommends Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W/30, so that is what I am using. The differences in weight are more for weather conditions...that is if I remember correctly.
Micah
Micah
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Melting Slicks
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From: Florida
Thanks for the info. It does get below zero here so I will stay with the 5W. I have heard horror stories of guys switching types. I will give it a go. One other thing. Do you guys rely on the car to tell you when to change oil or do you change it at 3000 miles? My driving type is probably normal. No racing or extended hard driving.
Thanks,
Shannan
Thanks,
Shannan
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Originally Posted by shannanl
Thanks for the info. It does get below zero here so I will stay with the 5W. I have heard horror stories of guys switching types. I will give it a go. One other thing. Do you guys rely on the car to tell you when to change oil or do you change it at 3000 miles? My driving type is probably normal. No racing or extended hard driving.
Thanks,
Shannan
Thanks,
Shannan
From my '97 manual:
When to Change Engine Oil
Your Corvette has an Engine Oil Life Monitor. This
feature will let you know when to change your oil and
filter -- usually between 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and
10,000 miles (1 6 000 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 10,000 miles (1 6 000 km) or 12 months
(whichever occurs first) without an oil change. Use
engine oil meeting the GM Standard GM4718M.
Your Corvette has an Engine Oil Life Monitor. This
feature will let you know when to change your oil and
filter -- usually between 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and
10,000 miles (1 6 000 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 10,000 miles (1 6 000 km) or 12 months
(whichever occurs first) without an oil change. Use
engine oil meeting the GM Standard GM4718M.
