How offen do you add engine oil?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 2
From: Titusville FL
I also have a low mileage 99 that I bought last year. It had excessive oil consumption...worse than yours....about a quart every 300 miles. Although your consumption doesn't sound bad, there is a factory technical service bulletin you probably want review re excessive oil consumption: 01-06-01-023A. You can find it in the knowledgebase section of www.corvetteactioncenter.com. Although I bought my car from a private party, my local dealer went to bat for me with Chevy and Chevy agreed to pay 70% of the fix (which involves new rings). I thought that was fair given that the car was 8 years old and long off of warranty. When the engine was torn down, it turned out that two pistons were missing the oil consumption rings entirely! Chevy stood up and paid for the entire fix rather than just 70%. Kudos to my dealer and to Chevy. Good luck with your situation.
It would be great if I could get the local dealership to belly up and correct the problem. According to the bulletin if I change my driving style (<3200 RPM duration) this could have a positive affect on oil consumption. I'll give it a shot and see what happens. I topped it off, so I'll watch my RPMs and monitor the level on the dipstick.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 2
From: Titusville FL
Over 3K RPM shifts as well as a lot of stop and go traffic using a lot of downshifting can cause increased oil consumption. I'm adding a quart about half way on oil changes. I'm getting about 8K on an oil change so about 4K, depending on how I drive it.
Here is the TSB on excess oil consumption:
CAC Knowledgebase
Here is the TSB on excess oil consumption:
CAC Knowledgebase
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 361
Likes: 1
From: Montara Ca
180K on my 99 now, usualy never shift below 3000 rpm and beat on the car prity regularly. It's used aprox. 1qrt every 1.5K mile's since it was new.
Last edited by dudleyd; Feb 25, 2008 at 07:36 PM. Reason: added year of car
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City Utah
My question is....do you let it sit on the bottom open hole, middle or near the top hole in the dipstick? I heard it's better to have low oil than to overfil it. I try to keep mine near the bottom hole but NOT below it.
I have only had to add once oil between oil changes and so far have done three, going on #4 very soon. Every 5,000 miles for me.
I have only had to add once oil between oil changes and so far have done three, going on #4 very soon. Every 5,000 miles for me.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 2
From: Titusville FL
I'll probably do the same.From the responses I guesstimate it's about half and half. Half don't add any oil (maybe driving style / automatics?) the other half (maybe driving style / stick shift?) adds oil between normal oil changes.
Thanks everyone. Now I don't feel like I got taken when I bought her.
BUGZ
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
My question is....do you let it sit on the bottom open hole, middle or near the top hole in the dipstick? I heard it's better to have low oil than to overfil it. I try to keep mine near the bottom hole but NOT below it.
I have only had to add once oil between oil changes and so far have done three, going on #4 very soon. Every 5,000 miles for me.
I have only had to add once oil between oil changes and so far have done three, going on #4 very soon. Every 5,000 miles for me.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 361
Likes: 1
From: Montara Ca
As I said this is the consumption I've had since day one. The car is my DD and sees 100 miles a day, about 1/3 city, 1/3 mountain amd 1/3 freeway. I drive the car hard, I replaced the origanal OEM rotors and pads all the way around at 150K, the front pads still had tons of meat on them so that should give you and indication at the amount of down shifting I do, and there high rev. down shifts. I just had the car tuned last Sept. With LG street LT, LS6 intake and BPP CAI, it put down 344 rwt and 324 rwhp, not bad for a old thrashed C5 with just a couple bolt on's. The plugs are never oil fouled when changed and she does not blow smoke when I get on it. I have no doubts that this motor will see >250K.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
My comment was based on GM's determination that "excessive" was 1 quart per 600-800 miles. As I said mine will do that too if I lay into it. Mine has just 29K and has zero mods (except CAGS and CLB). But by altering my driving habits that changed to currently I'm still good with 2500 since last quart.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: LEBANON PA.
How often do you add engine oil?
Hi Storm Cloud,
I hear you.
I was informed by a sharp experienced corvette technician that the full mark on the c5 dipstick is located in the middle of the hash mark & not at the upper hole as most people think me included.( 30 years exp. as aircraft engine tech. & many more on my cars & my friends cars.) When I first bought the 01 vette completely stock in 06. I thought the engine was using a excessive amount of oil & kept the oil level at the upper hole of the dipstick.I added 2 qts. of oil in 3000 miles.In reality I was over filling the engine. I noticed that the exhaust tips had carbon deposits on them from only a 10 mile trip.
Currently I have 850 miles on the 2nd oil change & the dipstick has a steady reading of 1/8" above the lower hole & no carbon deposits on the tips. A few days ago when the weather was nice I made a trip of 125 miles.Before & after the trip I checked the oil & the exhaust tips.Still reading 1/8" above the add mark or lower hole.I Only use Mobil 1 5w-30 fully synthetic. Tips: no carbon spots.
I Hope this clarifys your question.Ps: I carry a qt. of oil in the car all the time just in case.I will try to drive & see if I can get about 4k or 5k with out adding oil. We'll see.It will be tough as this car is not my dd.
robsc501
I hear you.
I was informed by a sharp experienced corvette technician that the full mark on the c5 dipstick is located in the middle of the hash mark & not at the upper hole as most people think me included.( 30 years exp. as aircraft engine tech. & many more on my cars & my friends cars.) When I first bought the 01 vette completely stock in 06. I thought the engine was using a excessive amount of oil & kept the oil level at the upper hole of the dipstick.I added 2 qts. of oil in 3000 miles.In reality I was over filling the engine. I noticed that the exhaust tips had carbon deposits on them from only a 10 mile trip.
Currently I have 850 miles on the 2nd oil change & the dipstick has a steady reading of 1/8" above the lower hole & no carbon deposits on the tips. A few days ago when the weather was nice I made a trip of 125 miles.Before & after the trip I checked the oil & the exhaust tips.Still reading 1/8" above the add mark or lower hole.I Only use Mobil 1 5w-30 fully synthetic. Tips: no carbon spots.
I Hope this clarifys your question.Ps: I carry a qt. of oil in the car all the time just in case.I will try to drive & see if I can get about 4k or 5k with out adding oil. We'll see.It will be tough as this car is not my dd.
robsc501
Last edited by robsc501; Feb 26, 2008 at 03:26 PM. Reason: additional info.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City Utah
Hi Storm Cloud,
I hear you.
I was informed by a sharp experienced corvette technician that the full mark on the c5 dipstick is located in the middle of the hash mark & not at the upper hole as most people think me included.( 30 years exp. as aircraft engine tech. & many more on my cars & my friends cars.) When I first bought the 01 vette completely stock in 06. I thought the engine was using a excessive amount of oil & kept the oil level at the upper hole of the dipstick.I added 2 qts. of oil in 3000 miles.In reality I was over filling the engine. I noticed that the exhaust tips had carbon deposits on them from only a 10 mile trip.
Currently I have 850 miles on the 2nd oil change & the dipstick has a steady reading of 1/8" above the lower hole & no carbon deposits on the tips. A few days ago when the weather was nice I made a trip of 125 miles.Before & after the trip I checked the oil & the exhaust tips.Still reading 1/8" above the add mark or lower hole.I Only use Mobil 1 5w-30 fully synthetic. Tips: no carbon spots.
I Hope this clarifys your question.Ps: I carry a qt. of oil in the car all the time just in case.I will try to drive & see if I can get about 4k or 5k with out adding oil. We'll see.It will be tough as this car is not my dd.
robsc501
I hear you.
I was informed by a sharp experienced corvette technician that the full mark on the c5 dipstick is located in the middle of the hash mark & not at the upper hole as most people think me included.( 30 years exp. as aircraft engine tech. & many more on my cars & my friends cars.) When I first bought the 01 vette completely stock in 06. I thought the engine was using a excessive amount of oil & kept the oil level at the upper hole of the dipstick.I added 2 qts. of oil in 3000 miles.In reality I was over filling the engine. I noticed that the exhaust tips had carbon deposits on them from only a 10 mile trip.
Currently I have 850 miles on the 2nd oil change & the dipstick has a steady reading of 1/8" above the lower hole & no carbon deposits on the tips. A few days ago when the weather was nice I made a trip of 125 miles.Before & after the trip I checked the oil & the exhaust tips.Still reading 1/8" above the add mark or lower hole.I Only use Mobil 1 5w-30 fully synthetic. Tips: no carbon spots.
I Hope this clarifys your question.Ps: I carry a qt. of oil in the car all the time just in case.I will try to drive & see if I can get about 4k or 5k with out adding oil. We'll see.It will be tough as this car is not my dd.
robsc501
Thanks for the response. They also say to put in 6.5 quarts, but that may be too much if you have some oil left over. I did fill when the engine was bone cold. I just changed my today and going to look an see where it's at now after the filter filled up from the drive to work.
It's a little above the middle but not up against the top hole. It's all good!
Last edited by Storm Cloud; Feb 26, 2008 at 06:19 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Hi Storm Cloud,
I hear you.
I was informed by a sharp experienced corvette technician that the full mark on the c5 dipstick is located in the middle of the hash mark & not at the upper hole as most people think me included.( 30 years exp. as aircraft engine tech. & many more on my cars & my friends cars.) When I first bought the 01 vette completely stock in 06. I thought the engine was using a excessive amount of oil & kept the oil level at the upper hole of the dipstick.I added 2 qts. of oil in 3000 miles.In reality I was over filling the engine. I noticed that the exhaust tips had carbon deposits on them from only a 10 mile trip.
Currently I have 850 miles on the 2nd oil change & the dipstick has a steady reading of 1/8" above the lower hole & no carbon deposits on the tips. A few days ago when the weather was nice I made a trip of 125 miles.Before & after the trip I checked the oil & the exhaust tips.Still reading 1/8" above the add mark or lower hole.I Only use Mobil 1 5w-30 fully synthetic. Tips: no carbon spots.
I Hope this clarifys your question.Ps: I carry a qt. of oil in the car all the time just in case.I will try to drive & see if I can get about 4k or 5k with out adding oil. We'll see.It will be tough as this car is not my dd.
robsc501
I hear you.
I was informed by a sharp experienced corvette technician that the full mark on the c5 dipstick is located in the middle of the hash mark & not at the upper hole as most people think me included.( 30 years exp. as aircraft engine tech. & many more on my cars & my friends cars.) When I first bought the 01 vette completely stock in 06. I thought the engine was using a excessive amount of oil & kept the oil level at the upper hole of the dipstick.I added 2 qts. of oil in 3000 miles.In reality I was over filling the engine. I noticed that the exhaust tips had carbon deposits on them from only a 10 mile trip.
Currently I have 850 miles on the 2nd oil change & the dipstick has a steady reading of 1/8" above the lower hole & no carbon deposits on the tips. A few days ago when the weather was nice I made a trip of 125 miles.Before & after the trip I checked the oil & the exhaust tips.Still reading 1/8" above the add mark or lower hole.I Only use Mobil 1 5w-30 fully synthetic. Tips: no carbon spots.
I Hope this clarifys your question.Ps: I carry a qt. of oil in the car all the time just in case.I will try to drive & see if I can get about 4k or 5k with out adding oil. We'll see.It will be tough as this car is not my dd.
robsc501
