[Z06] Low oil level warning???
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,538
Likes: 9
From: Pasadena, CA
Low oil level warning???
The low oil level warning message appeared on my 02 Z approximately 2500 miles after my previous oil change. This was my first oil change since I bought the car(I changed the oil immediately). I checked the dipstick and oil needed to be added. I added a quart and the warning message went away. I spoke with the shop foreman at the local Chevy dealer, and he said this is completely normal with these engines and I shouldn't worry about it. What do you all think?
FWIW, my car was built in February of 02. What build "stage" would this be considered for 02's?
FWIW, my car was built in February of 02. What build "stage" would this be considered for 02's?
Last edited by 03 Z-oh-6; Jun 6, 2006 at 01:30 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim Hills CA
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,538
Likes: 9
From: Pasadena, CA
Originally Posted by pb24dagrk
Dogface
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 25,974
Likes: 120
From: At the Beach, FL
St. Jude Donor '15, '17
Originally Posted by DitchTehFish
The low oil level warning message appeared on my 02 Z approximately 2500 miles after my previous oil change. This was my first oil change since I bought the car(I changed the oil immediately). I checked the dipstick and oil needed to be added. I added a quart and the warning message went away. I spoke with the shop foreman at the local Chevy dealer, and he said this is completely normal with these engines and I shouldn't worry about it. What do you all think?
FWIW, my car was built in February of 02. What build "stage" would this be considered for 02's?
FWIW, my car was built in February of 02. What build "stage" would this be considered for 02's?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,538
Likes: 9
From: Pasadena, CA
Originally Posted by dwjz06
How much oil did you put in it after the oil change? Some people do not fill it up all the way usually 7 quarts for the Z will put you at the full mark on the stick. If you used 6.5 you started out a half short and then used up a half which is not a big deal. Start out full next time and set one of your trip meters to keep track of your miles when you have to add some next time. HTH, Don
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 6
From: redlands,ca.-usa
Originally Posted by DitchTehFish
Chevy did the oil change, so I'm assuming they put in the proper amount. 2,500 miles later I got the low oil warning, so I put in a quart and the warning went away. I don't know what to think?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
Most people I know put in 6.5 qts to get it right in between add and full marks. I always put in 6.5 qts and just changed it at 25% remaining on the DIC (4800 miles on the oil), and it hadnt used any oil at all when I checked it before draining.
Of course I made one helluva mess when I tripped carrying the drain pan over to the dump barrel and it all went on a newly poured driveway. It all cleaned up nicely once i dumped about 2 gallons of gasoline on it though.
Of course I made one helluva mess when I tripped carrying the drain pan over to the dump barrel and it all went on a newly poured driveway. It all cleaned up nicely once i dumped about 2 gallons of gasoline on it though.
Dogface
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 25,974
Likes: 120
From: At the Beach, FL
St. Jude Donor '15, '17
Originally Posted by DitchTehFish
Chevy did the oil change, so I'm assuming they put in the proper amount. 2,500 miles later I got the low oil warning, so I put in a quart and the warning went away. I don't know what to think?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 56
From: Escondido CA
pretty normal for an 01-mine gets about 2k-2500/qt-i drive till i get the msg in the DIC-add a qt and off i go....works like clockwork..i trust the msg in the DIC, and i have 35k on my 01,no problems...
here is a tip....just change your fuel filter often and clean out the throttle body area at the front every yr and it will idle great and run like new....
here is a tip....just change your fuel filter often and clean out the throttle body area at the front every yr and it will idle great and run like new....
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,538
Likes: 9
From: Pasadena, CA
Originally Posted by dwjz06
Never assume Chevy mechanics know what they are doing! Ever get a new car from the dealer with most of the fluids low? I have had two. Just because they make the car does not mean they know all of the details about each one. And most will not take the time to look it up! Do your own changes, and you will find it takes 7 to get to the full mark on the stick. Can't go wrong there. And if you race it add another half to whole quart. Enjoy the car! Don
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Nesconset (LI) NY
Originally Posted by DitchTehFish
The manual says 6.5, some people say 7 quarts. Which is correct?
Dogface
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 25,974
Likes: 120
From: At the Beach, FL
St. Jude Donor '15, '17
Originally Posted by DitchTehFish
The manual says 6.5, some people say 7 quarts. Which is correct?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
I always use 7 quarts... fill your car until it's at the full mark, notate the miles and keep track of it from there.
The valley seal in the PCV system can go bad and the car will use oil. This is the source of excessive consumption on '02+ cars.
It's a fairly easy fix/replacement but you have to pull the intake manifold.
My '01 used a quart every 900 miles... then i had the valley seal replaced and it used a quart every 1500ish miles. Then I had it re-ringed and switched to 5w40 Amsoil and it doesn't use any oil between 6000 mile changes.
The valley seal in the PCV system can go bad and the car will use oil. This is the source of excessive consumption on '02+ cars.
It's a fairly easy fix/replacement but you have to pull the intake manifold.
My '01 used a quart every 900 miles... then i had the valley seal replaced and it used a quart every 1500ish miles. Then I had it re-ringed and switched to 5w40 Amsoil and it doesn't use any oil between 6000 mile changes.
