[Z06] oil change?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 61
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From: Greenville OHIO
oil change?
hey everyone, just wondering something. I probably know the answer......
I had my oil changed last year in April, only put like 2000 miles on her since. It says I have 70% of oil life left......I should go ahead and have the oil changed right? Or am I okay for another summer??
Thanks in advance for your input!
I had my oil changed last year in April, only put like 2000 miles on her since. It says I have 70% of oil life left......I should go ahead and have the oil changed right? Or am I okay for another summer??
Thanks in advance for your input!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Centerville Ohio
Wow.....expect a lot of different opinions on this topic! 
Mine also doesn't get driven that much (usually about 3-5k annually) but I have always believed in changing the oil each fall before I put it in storage for the Winter. I know guys that change every 3K and I know guys that change every 10K......so each end of the spectrum and I guess I fall somewhere in the middle. So, in answer to your question, I guess my thoughts would be to drive it thru the summer and then change the oil in the fall (as I assume you store it in the Winter) and then every year at that time.
Mine also doesn't get driven that much (usually about 3-5k annually) but I have always believed in changing the oil each fall before I put it in storage for the Winter. I know guys that change every 3K and I know guys that change every 10K......so each end of the spectrum and I guess I fall somewhere in the middle. So, in answer to your question, I guess my thoughts would be to drive it thru the summer and then change the oil in the fall (as I assume you store it in the Winter) and then every year at that time.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I change mine every 5k miles. Regardless of what the DIC says. Of course I drive mine every day and it does not take very long to acquire 5k miles on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern OH
St. Jude Donor '08
I change my oil very April. Like you I put less than 2000 miles a year on it but do drive her hard, Autocross and limited track time.
7 quarts of Mobil One and a Purolator PureONE filter, less than $35 bucks done at home. A very cheap investment IMO.
7 quarts of Mobil One and a Purolator PureONE filter, less than $35 bucks done at home. A very cheap investment IMO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
This is the first car I've ever owned that I've not changed the oil/filter on every 3K miles. On ALL my other cars I change the oil/filter at 3K miles. I use conventional 5W 30 and a Fram filter - about $15 at Wally-World.
On the Z, with synthetic oil, I let the computer tell me when I need to change the oil/filter. I too change it at home and use Mobile One and K&N filters. For the most part I get about 5K miles on an oil change and change about once a year. I put about 5K ~ 6K miles a year on my car.
The key I think is to ensure when you're driving the car to get the oil temps up to op temp. This helps the computer get a true read on the oil and capture data to determine when the oil needs changing.
So, to answer your question I'd have to ask, when you drive your car do you let the oil get to op temp? If not, the data is scewed and the 70% is not an accurate reading.
On the Z, with synthetic oil, I let the computer tell me when I need to change the oil/filter. I too change it at home and use Mobile One and K&N filters. For the most part I get about 5K miles on an oil change and change about once a year. I put about 5K ~ 6K miles a year on my car.
The key I think is to ensure when you're driving the car to get the oil temps up to op temp. This helps the computer get a true read on the oil and capture data to determine when the oil needs changing.
So, to answer your question I'd have to ask, when you drive your car do you let the oil get to op temp? If not, the data is scewed and the 70% is not an accurate reading.
Last edited by 2TONE82; Apr 21, 2008 at 10:42 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 2
From: Houston Texas
Me- every 5-6 months (or 5,000 miles). I have done this on all cars I have owned since 1980.
Conservative- maybe. But oil and filters for a car like a corvette are such an incidental expense you gott wonder why people even ask.
Conservative- maybe. But oil and filters for a car like a corvette are such an incidental expense you gott wonder why people even ask.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 112
Likes: 3
I only put 2000 to 4000 miles a year on mine. I change the oil yearly.
When the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes on,
it means that service is required for your vehicle.
Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible within the
next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the engine oil life
system may not indicate that vehicle service is necessary
for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year and at this time the
system must be reset.
This is what I go by from the manual. I've never got the "Change Oil Soon" message. I don't drive it enough.
When the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes on,
it means that service is required for your vehicle.
Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible within the
next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the engine oil life
system may not indicate that vehicle service is necessary
for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year and at this time the
system must be reset.
This is what I go by from the manual. I've never got the "Change Oil Soon" message. I don't drive it enough.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
The manual says use the DIC oil life % or change once a year.
Personally, I don't think it's as much of an issue (don't go five years!) with a quality grade synthetic oil/filter as long as the oil is always up to optimum temperatures to burn off condensation.
You might have a sample tested in a laboratory and see what the results are...
Personally, I don't think it's as much of an issue (don't go five years!) with a quality grade synthetic oil/filter as long as the oil is always up to optimum temperatures to burn off condensation.
You might have a sample tested in a laboratory and see what the results are...
Race Director
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From: stop the fun suckers
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
I drove 3.7K miles last year and was on 46% oil life. I had a change last month and plan to do it annually (unless I exceed 5K).
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
From page 7-6 of the 2002 Owner's Manual ....
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the
Engine Oil Life System (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). Reset the system.
Time to change it ......
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the
Engine Oil Life System (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). Reset the system.
Time to change it ......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
If it is a garage queen or is not driven much then change the oil every year. Otherwise, listen to the computer. GM put a lot into the oil life monitoring system and it is very accurate.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
If synthetic, one year or 7500 miles. The additive package in most oils will decline after a year so make sure you change it at least every year no matter what mileage you have on the oil. You should start your car up at least once a month and run for 20 minutes to keep oil on internal parts. In the cold winter months I would just let the car sit unless you can drive it for 20 minutes or so. Not good to start and turn off quickly because over time you will have moisture rusting out your exhaust, etc...
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
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From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
The manual says use the DIC oil life % or change once a year.
Personally, I don't think it's as much of an issue (don't go five years!) with a quality grade synthetic oil/filter as long as the oil is always up to optimum temperatures to burn off condensation.
You might have a sample tested in a laboratory and see what the results are...
Personally, I don't think it's as much of an issue (don't go five years!) with a quality grade synthetic oil/filter as long as the oil is always up to optimum temperatures to burn off condensation.
You might have a sample tested in a laboratory and see what the results are...
The modern "syns" are quite different than regular oil. Irritates me that the oil tycoons likely eat filet mignon for lunch and maybe they oughta try a coney once in awhile
