[Z06] Few questions
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Torrance CA
Few questions
Hello,
I recently got a 2004 black Z06 and have a few questions.
1. How hard is it to change the oil in the car? I am not even sure where there are lift points on the car. On my Subaru I can do the whole thing w/o even lifting the car, as the oil pan is in a very convenient place. Do people use jacks to do the job or you have to use a lift? Also, how many quarts are needed?
2. Rubber lip under the front bumper. Is it supposed to go all the way around or should it have a gap in the middle?
3. Paint. It seems that the car scratches very easily. I managed to to scuff up the paint on the rear plastic assembly when I put down a box on it, while trying to fit it in the trunk. I am not sure if the car was waxed and I scratched the wax or if I indeed scratched the paint. (there are now white smears in one spot). Also, how does the paint react to a mechanised car wash? (Also, what do I do with the antenna??)
Many thanks in advance
I recently got a 2004 black Z06 and have a few questions.
1. How hard is it to change the oil in the car? I am not even sure where there are lift points on the car. On my Subaru I can do the whole thing w/o even lifting the car, as the oil pan is in a very convenient place. Do people use jacks to do the job or you have to use a lift? Also, how many quarts are needed?
2. Rubber lip under the front bumper. Is it supposed to go all the way around or should it have a gap in the middle?
3. Paint. It seems that the car scratches very easily. I managed to to scuff up the paint on the rear plastic assembly when I put down a box on it, while trying to fit it in the trunk. I am not sure if the car was waxed and I scratched the wax or if I indeed scratched the paint. (there are now white smears in one spot). Also, how does the paint react to a mechanised car wash? (Also, what do I do with the antenna??)
Many thanks in advance
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,797
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From: Thompson Falls MT
Hello,
I recently got a 2004 black Z06 and have a few questions.
1. How hard is it to change the oil in the car? I am not even sure where there are lift points on the car. On my Subaru I can do the whole thing w/o even lifting the car, as the oil pan is in a very convenient place. Do people use jacks to do the job or you have to use a lift? Also, how many quarts are needed?
2. Rubber lip under the front bumper. Is it supposed to go all the way around or should it have a gap in the middle?
3. Paint. It seems that the car scratches very easily. I managed to to scuff up the paint on the rear plastic assembly when I put down a box on it, while trying to fit it in the trunk. I am not sure if the car was waxed and I scratched the wax or if I indeed scratched the paint. (there are now white smears in one spot). Also, how does the paint react to a mechanised car wash? (Also, what do I do with the antenna??)
Many thanks in advance
I recently got a 2004 black Z06 and have a few questions.
1. How hard is it to change the oil in the car? I am not even sure where there are lift points on the car. On my Subaru I can do the whole thing w/o even lifting the car, as the oil pan is in a very convenient place. Do people use jacks to do the job or you have to use a lift? Also, how many quarts are needed?
2. Rubber lip under the front bumper. Is it supposed to go all the way around or should it have a gap in the middle?
3. Paint. It seems that the car scratches very easily. I managed to to scuff up the paint on the rear plastic assembly when I put down a box on it, while trying to fit it in the trunk. I am not sure if the car was waxed and I scratched the wax or if I indeed scratched the paint. (there are now white smears in one spot). Also, how does the paint react to a mechanised car wash? (Also, what do I do with the antenna??)
Many thanks in advance
The air dam is composed of three pieces. If you have a big gap it sounds like you're missing the middle piece. If it's missing don't track the car or run at high speed elsewhere. I saw a Z06 missing that piece on the track and it bulges your hood. It looks like it wants to fly off the car. Get if replaced...it's cheap.
I use ZAINO products and that protects pretty well. I would not put a box on it or use a mechanical car was. You can use a wrench to unscrew the antenna. It comes off pretty easily.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Torrance CA
The drain plug is at the front of the oil pan so if you jack up the car from the rear you're not going to get it all out without a suction hose. I think a lift is the best way. The jack points are indentations in the bottom of the rocker panels. Use a shim such as a hockey puck in the indentation between the car and your jack.
The air dam is composed of three pieces. If you have a big gap it sounds like you're missing the middle piece. If it's missing don't track the car or run at high speed elsewhere. I saw a Z06 missing that piece on the track and it bulges your hood. It looks like it wants to fly off the car. Get if replaced...it's cheap.
I use ZAINO products and that protects pretty well. I would not put a box on it or use a mechanical car was. You can use a wrench to unscrew the antenna. It comes off pretty easily.
The air dam is composed of three pieces. If you have a big gap it sounds like you're missing the middle piece. If it's missing don't track the car or run at high speed elsewhere. I saw a Z06 missing that piece on the track and it bulges your hood. It looks like it wants to fly off the car. Get if replaced...it's cheap.
I use ZAINO products and that protects pretty well. I would not put a box on it or use a mechanical car was. You can use a wrench to unscrew the antenna. It comes off pretty easily.
I suppose I'll have the shop do the oil changes, as I have no access to a lift and it seems that jacking the car is tricky.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 2
Here's an easy to get the car up in the air to change the oil and whatnot. http://www.z06vette.com/forums/f117/...-pucks-107706/
Zaino works good and with a porter cable polisher you could most likely get a lot of those scratches out as long as they aren't too deep. If nothing else they won't be as noticeable if that’s even possible on a black car.
BTW I also came from a Subaru.
Zaino works good and with a porter cable polisher you could most likely get a lot of those scratches out as long as they aren't too deep. If nothing else they won't be as noticeable if that’s even possible on a black car.
BTW I also came from a Subaru.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 12
From: allentown nj
congrats and welcome to the corvette forum 
the clear coat on your vette is referred to as very hard but scratches pretty easily .... meaning great weather protection uv inhibitors paint doesn't fade good detailer can make it better then new
if i were you i WOULD NOT RUN IT THROUGH A CAR WASH
it will put many scratches in the clear coat visit the car care section lots of good into on how to wash your zzz
John Stig
the clear coat on your vette is referred to as very hard but scratches pretty easily .... meaning great weather protection uv inhibitors paint doesn't fade good detailer can make it better then new
if i were you i WOULD NOT RUN IT THROUGH A CAR WASH
it will put many scratches in the clear coat visit the car care section lots of good into on how to wash your zzzJohn Stig
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,701
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From: Heath Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
One issue not yet addressed. The center part of the front spoiler is easy to put on and can be had for much cheaper than your local stealership. Gene from GM Part House is top notch and a forum sponsor. This is pulled from the succeeding thread and following that is the website.
||--Genuine GM 3 Piece Frt Spoiler/Air Dam--||
10401458 – Center – 65.47
10419312 – LH – 12.46
10419313 – RH – 15.52
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2124624
http://www.gmpartshouse.com/
Speed
||--Genuine GM 3 Piece Frt Spoiler/Air Dam--||
10401458 – Center – 65.47
10419312 – LH – 12.46
10419313 – RH – 15.52
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2124624
http://www.gmpartshouse.com/
Speed
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 880
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From: Bath PA
Nooooooo!I wash my company car at the "car wash" but I would never, ever under any circumstance wash any car I paid money for in a mechanized car wash. You might was well wash it with sand paper.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 87
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From: Torrance CA
One issue not yet addressed. The center part of the front spoiler is easy to put on and can be had for much cheaper than your local stealership. Gene from GM Part House is top notch and a forum sponsor. This is pulled from the succeeding thread and following that is the website.
||--Genuine GM 3 Piece Frt Spoiler/Air Dam--||
10401458 – Center – 65.47
10419312 – LH – 12.46
10419313 – RH – 15.52
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2124624
http://www.gmpartshouse.com/
Speed
||--Genuine GM 3 Piece Frt Spoiler/Air Dam--||
10401458 – Center – 65.47
10419312 – LH – 12.46
10419313 – RH – 15.52
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2124624
http://www.gmpartshouse.com/
Speed
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
It's an easy DIY provided you can get the front of the car up high enough to access the area where the center air damn mounts.
Hopefully, there is no damage to the inserts where the two bolts thread into, which may be why the air damn is missing in the first place...
Hopefully, there is no damage to the inserts where the two bolts thread into, which may be why the air damn is missing in the first place...
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
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From: shavertown Pa.
There are often air dam peices on e-bay you might get one there cheaper, but get a price off Gene, or your local dealer first to see where you stand on the price.
Some places have the peices seperatly also I know mid america has that stuff but they are retail outfits + shipping.
Some places have the peices seperatly also I know mid america has that stuff but they are retail outfits + shipping.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
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From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
If you happen to have a slanted driveway like I do, then you can put the car's front wheels on ramps and the car will be practically level if the front of the car is pointed toward the street. This is perfect for changing the oil.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
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From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
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From: Torrance CA
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
It's the owners car to do with as the owner pleases...but, I'd suggest going to a dealership before WALMART. The techs might be a bit more knowledgeable about your car.
To reset the oil life monitor, simply turn the key to the "on" position w/o starting the car. Pump the gas pedal three times fully to the floor within five seconds. That will clear the % to zero again.
You can download a free owners manual, or order a new owners manual, from GMPARTSHOUSE, courtesy of Gene, a site supporting vendor. His link is in the column to the left. EBAY might have them.
If you have a favorite dealership, contact the service manager. For over a year while we lived in a rental, I'd buy oil/filter from my favorite source, then take my car(s) into the dealership. The service manager only charged me $11 labor to do the oil/filter change. I drank their fresh coffee, ate a donut and watched them from 10 feet away. They disposed of the waste.
To reset the oil life monitor, simply turn the key to the "on" position w/o starting the car. Pump the gas pedal three times fully to the floor within five seconds. That will clear the % to zero again.
You can download a free owners manual, or order a new owners manual, from GMPARTSHOUSE, courtesy of Gene, a site supporting vendor. His link is in the column to the left. EBAY might have them.
If you have a favorite dealership, contact the service manager. For over a year while we lived in a rental, I'd buy oil/filter from my favorite source, then take my car(s) into the dealership. The service manager only charged me $11 labor to do the oil/filter change. I drank their fresh coffee, ate a donut and watched them from 10 feet away. They disposed of the waste.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Sep 25, 2008 at 01:43 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 87
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From: Torrance CA
Thank you everybody for the input. No mech car washes for this car 
I'll be getting in touch with Gene to get the air dam fixed up. The local dealer wants almost $200 for parts and labor. $65 + shipping sounds like a better deal especially since the bolts are in place and appear to be undamaged.
I'll be getting in touch with Gene to get the air dam fixed up. The local dealer wants almost $200 for parts and labor. $65 + shipping sounds like a better deal especially since the bolts are in place and appear to be undamaged.
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Ah, congrats on the New Black Z! I own a black Z as well and I agree, as with most black cars, dirt, water spots and scratches show up very easily. I usally hand wash mine and sometimes take it to the local car wash but I never take it to a mechinized one....I found any type of "waterless" car wash applied/removed with a soft cloth works really well and is much easier then waxing....good luck and enjoy your new Z!