[Z06] Question about oil change intervals...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
From: Boulder CO.
Question about oil change intervals...
When you do your oil change on your Z06, how long does the computer monitor oil life for?
How many miles is it going to be monitoring the oil life, assuming you're using the recommended manufactuers oil?
I have typically changed my oil 3K miles or every 3 months in the past on my Z28.
I limit my Z06 driving to weekends only. My "change oil soon" light came on yesterday.
Any sugestions? Mobil-1 5w-30? Which one?
-Thanks-Goose
How many miles is it going to be monitoring the oil life, assuming you're using the recommended manufactuers oil?
I have typically changed my oil 3K miles or every 3 months in the past on my Z28.
I limit my Z06 driving to weekends only. My "change oil soon" light came on yesterday.
Any sugestions? Mobil-1 5w-30? Which one?
-Thanks-Goose
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: N.J.
I use Royal Purple oil in both my C5's and change it approx. at 5,000 mi. intervals or in the Spring which ever comes first. They say that you don't neet to change the oil but every 7,000 mi. or so, but I just feel more comfortable doing it between 3,000 and 5,000 mi. As far as the oil life monitor, it will just keep on doing it. After each oil change upi need to reset it back to 100%. Hope this helps 
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Jordan MN
Originally Posted by Wicked LT1
When you do your oil change on your Z06, how long does the computer monitor oil life for?
How many miles is it going to be monitoring the oil life, assuming you're using the recommended manufactuers oil?
I have typically changed my oil 3K miles or every 3 months in the past on my Z28.
I limit my Z06 driving to weekends only. My "change oil soon" light came on yesterday.
Any sugestions? Mobil-1 5w-30? Which one?
-Thanks-Goose
How many miles is it going to be monitoring the oil life, assuming you're using the recommended manufactuers oil?
I have typically changed my oil 3K miles or every 3 months in the past on my Z28.
I limit my Z06 driving to weekends only. My "change oil soon" light came on yesterday.
Any sugestions? Mobil-1 5w-30? Which one?
-Thanks-Goose
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
I use Amsoil 5w40 and change it per the DIC or 8k miles. Normally with the hard driving I do it gets changed about 6k. If I have an HPDE comming up I'll put a fresh swap in there if I haven't changed it recently.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by BergsZO6
When I purchased My Z I was told by several Vette owner's to use Mobil 1 @ 5,000 miles regardless of what the monitor says.
For the last 20 years I have always changed oil in my vehicles at 6,000 miles with non synthetic oils and have NEVER once had an oil related engine malfunction. And those engines always went beyond 100,000 miles before I sold them. Now with my synthetic oiled Corvette I just follow the computer.
Last edited by Shylor; Feb 7, 2006 at 02:38 PM.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: Chino Valley AZ
Originally Posted by Shylor
Well at least it's greater than the 3,000 mile 1960's belief. But it's still you are still wasting good oil. GM spent a lot of time and money developing their oil life monitoring system. It is one of the few things GM did right, so trust and follow it.
In 1966 one of my first jobs was to collect the data that was one of the original looks at "oil life evaluation". Basically, if you drive it long enough to warm the oil to the point the "bad shxt" cooks off, you don't need to change it as often. The additives are depleted based on "this", as well as "dirt" accumulation.
Data Collection: In a fleet of cars, I rode in them and wrote down the oil and anti-freeze thermocouple readings as they were cold-started and driven on different distance "city cycles", and recorded the "cool-down" temps over 24 hours. And, I collected oil samples for chemical and metallurgical analysis. We waited for a February cold spell with below zero weather.
The hard part was laying out the initial "cycle start times" that would let me get the data on ten different cars over the same time period. Data recording has come a long way since then. I guess parkas and "big boots" are no longer mandatory.
P.S. When you start it, then drive it somewhere, until the oil temp. hits at least 180. Your engine will love you for that, and return the favor with longer life.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Originally Posted by Retired GM Engr
P.S. When you start it, then drive it somewhere, until the oil temp. hits at least 180. Your engine will love you for that, and return the favor with longer life.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: Chino Valley AZ
Originally Posted by RoHo
I change my oil every 3000 miles, I don't care what the book say's, oil is the life blood of my LS6 and I want to keep it clean inside.
To each his own, and whatever gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling.
It's fail-safe, and cheap insurance to make you feel good.
But, I can't resist:
It's sorta like "taking care" of your wife/and/or girlfriend on the schedule YOU want,
rather than when SHE needs it.
JUST KIDDING ! ! !
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
Assuming your air filter is sealed, and the engine is in tolerance; the main reason that even Mobil 1 says you can have a long interval is that synthetic oil inhibits the build up of acids. Acid build up, which eats the lead and copper inserts easily, is the main reason dyno oils had a short change interval. But it's your money spend it how you like.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Originally Posted by Wicked LT1
When you do your oil change on your Z06, how long does the computer monitor oil life for?
Actually, if you drive somewhat 'spirited' it will be down around 10~15% around the 5000 mile mark.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
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From: King George VA
Here is an actual used oil analysis report from a customer of mine who is a fellow forum member driving a 99 FRC. This oil change was done at 3,513 miles using AMSOIL Series 2000 0w30. The results of the TBN test clearly show the oil had a significant amount of life left, and the wear results (aluminum, copper, lead, iron) were all only about 25% or so of the lab's average for this motor family (which has an average oil life of 4,200 miles at this lab).
Corvette C5 Used Oil Analysis Report
Based on this, I personally feel that following the owner's manual requirement to change the oil annual, or whenever indicated by the Oil Life Monitor, whichever is first, is a reasonable approach.
Corvette C5 Used Oil Analysis Report
Based on this, I personally feel that following the owner's manual requirement to change the oil annual, or whenever indicated by the Oil Life Monitor, whichever is first, is a reasonable approach.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
From: Boulder CO.
Originally Posted by Bristol
Right on! If anything the oil monitor is pesamistic just as timing chains and anti freeze reg are. So just stick with the factory requirements and you will be safe.
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 120
From: Bennett CO
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'10
Hey Goose,
I use 5w30 new car formula Mobil 1, and try and change it between 3 and 4 thousand miles!
and I will usually have to add a quart in between
EBZ0602
I use 5w30 new car formula Mobil 1, and try and change it between 3 and 4 thousand miles!
and I will usually have to add a quart in between EBZ0602
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
From: Boulder CO.
Originally Posted by EBZ0602
Hey Goose,
I use 5w30 new car formula Mobil 1, and try and change it between 3 and 4 thousand miles! and I will usually have to add a quart in between
EBZ0602
I use 5w30 new car formula Mobil 1, and try and change it between 3 and 4 thousand miles!
and I will usually have to add a quart in between EBZ0602
I'd just like to leave things alone, if they're working fine. I will get some Mobil-1 5W-30 then.
-Goose