stock z06

okay my 2002 Z06 is not going to be a daily driver. might see 1,000 miles every 3 months or so. should i change the oil every 3 months or every 3,000 miles. if its every 3,000 miles i will only change the only twice a year...
what do you guys do..?
ed

heavymetals

I read a very good article about Mobil 1 that had the lifetime as unreal.

They just kept replacing whatever got used and changed the filter like every 5k mi

They finally did an oil change at around 50k mi.

I change mine and the filter about every 5k mi and I replace whatever gets used inbetween.

I have to qualify that statement as my car has only 6.5k mi.

When I first got the car I changed oil and filter after 500mi, then once more at 1.5k mi.(maggie installed)

Last change was at 5k mi.

vettelover84

well most newer oils last quite awhile. so the 3 month thing isn't really valid anymore. I do up to 6 months or 4-5k. Of course if you race or drive it really hard during that 1000 miles you might consider changing the fluids more often.

BlackZ06

So long as you are using a synthetic oil meeting GM standard GM4718M (Mobil1 meets it .. so do some others), then just like your Owner's Manual tells you, when the DIC tells you (CHANGE OIL SOON) or every 12 months, whichever comes first.

RTFM

mr-z

6 months or every 2 to 3000mi.

Millenium Z06

Mine is a daily either, I change mine about once every 12 months. That comes out to between 3 and 5K miles. (Mobil1 and Mobil1 oil filter)

stock z06

thanks guys..
changed oil and filter today used mobile 1..
also drained and filled the manual trans and put some synchromax royal purple stuff.

eddie 2002 QS Z06

BlackZ06

Let me guess ... you have an 8-Track player installed in your Vette, you light your house with kerosene lamps, and your other car is a horse and buggy .....

Get with the times .... synthetic oils have a different life span than the "old" dinosaur oils. The DIC calculates the oil "life", and the only exception is the 12 month rule, which exists because the manufacturer figures you have a "low mileage" driving style which can lead to moisture in the oil.

Glennm27

Cjunkie

I change the oil in my 04 C5Z every spring (once a year) which is 3-5k.

utryd2

I do it every 3k Royal Purple

jwight

Just for info, a local dealer with a very good Corvette tech section does not agree with the 12 month minimum for oil changes. The Vette service writer says moisture in the oil is not an issue with Mobil 1. Has anybody seen any data on this? Thanks.

bmacZO6

If you don't drive enough each year for the DIC to tell you to change it then once a year is adequate. If the car is stored for any period of time change it out just before you store it and that will hold you until same time next year.

vms4evr

You can go double that unless it's a garage queen and his been sitting for a year. I'm at 6K with RP 5w-30. The Oil Life usually gets down around 10% at that point. That includes some track weekends. I have the oil analysis reports to back it up too. You're wasting perfectly good oil.

YellowZed

The 3,000 mile oil change rule is about 10 - 15 years out of date. It is perpetuated by the oil companies to make you spend money on their product. Most modern cars need an oil change only every 12,000 to 15,000 miles (take a look at the same car sold in Europe for reference). As our cars tend to get driven less and have a risk of moisture, or driven harder more, then more frequent changes are probably a good idea. I would think that every 6,000 miles or once per year is perfectly safe. That is what I do with my cars.

sothpaw2

Do you agree with the 6k mi / 1 year rule? I changed my 9 month old oil before a track day. I would think 1 year old oil is the limit, drive it or not.

drivinhard

It totally depends on how you drive it to, if all you do is stick it on the hwy and run it between the coasts you could go 20k. I've done 6500 in 13 days on a trip and it looked brand new at the end of it. Short trips/lots of heat cycles/commuting is the hardest on it. My 01 is mostly a short trip (get out and have fun 1-2 nights a week, and on the weekends AND track events) so I change it every 3k, or sooner, or before/after an event, depending on the harshness (ambient temp, oil temp, time on track ,etc). While you can argue it doesn't need it, it doesn't hurt anything, and why skimp 30 bucks on a $30k car?

vms4evr

I'm not sure on the time issue with low use cars. Moisture, contaminants, and sludge buildup are your enemy. I'd say do your current ritual. On your next change send a sample off to Blackstone Labs. That way you find out the facts and don't waste good oil or guess what shape it is in. If there are issues going on in your engine they will make you aware of it.

Go to their website and order the kit. The kit is free and it costs about $25 for the analysis. Next change get the engine good and warm. Mid way through the drain grab your sample. It's a bit messy doing it but worth it.

Let people know about your results so they can plan a schedule based on real facts. I'd be curious how the oil stands up in your use.

carnut101

50 bucks is VERY cheap insurance for my engine. it's once every 3k miles/3 months for me, especially since i make a lot of small trips and have a heavy foot.

CraZee ZO6

you guys going 1 year is crazy! even if only 3k miles.



6 months no matter what the meilage.
If you actually use your vette like me than 4-5k miles. Premium synthetic and K&N or Mobil 1 Filter.



For the guys breaking 12k miles 1 year with good synthetic you can do that to your car.