Oil Change - Recommendations?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Central FL
Oil Change - Recommendations?
Will need a change within the next month or so - I don't have the means to do it myself (no space, no ramps/jack stands and no time at the moment), so can the wise members of the board offer any advice? Take it to a local shop, a stealership, Jiffy Lube, Tuffy, etc., etc? I was thinking a local shop and I would purchase the oil/filter beforehand, so it would just be the labor cost involved. Any tips? 
Last edited by TPA Z06; Apr 28, 2009 at 03:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
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From: San Diego CA
Some of you may differ, but personally, I would never take my C5 to a Jiffy Lube type place. I change the oil, tranny, and diff fluids, myself, but have the dealership do things that I no longer like to do - like flushing out all the brake fluid or changing the antifreeze. Over the past 8 years, I have never had a problem with the dealership. They do charge more than a neighborhood shop, but so far, I've never had to bring my car back twice for the same problem. That's worth alot to me.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
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From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Jack up the right side (mechanics right) and place jack stand in place on proper point on frame.
Place drain pan under car.
Remove filter and remove oil pan bolt.
Drain into container.
Remove the jackstand and lower car over oil tray. Let drain.
Jack it up again, place th jackstand, Oil filter ring and screw on, . Replce the oil plug and tightern.
Remove jackstand and lower car. Fill with new Mobile one.
Start and check for leaks. DONE
Place drain pan under car.
Remove filter and remove oil pan bolt.
Drain into container.
Remove the jackstand and lower car over oil tray. Let drain.
Jack it up again, place th jackstand, Oil filter ring and screw on, . Replce the oil plug and tightern.
Remove jackstand and lower car. Fill with new Mobile one.
Start and check for leaks. DONE
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Jack up the right side (mechanics right) and place jack stand in place on proper point on frame.
Place drain pan under car.
Remove filter and remove oil pan bolt.
Drain into container.
Remove the jackstand and lower car over oil tray. Let drain.
Jack it up again, place th jackstand, Oil filter ring and screw on, . Replce the oil plug and tightern.
Remove jackstand and lower car. Fill with new Mobile one.
Start and check for leaks. DONE
Place drain pan under car.
Remove filter and remove oil pan bolt.
Drain into container.
Remove the jackstand and lower car over oil tray. Let drain.
Jack it up again, place th jackstand, Oil filter ring and screw on, . Replce the oil plug and tightern.
Remove jackstand and lower car. Fill with new Mobile one.
Start and check for leaks. DONE
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
Some of you may differ, but personally, I would never take my C5 to a Jiffy Lube type place. I change the oil, tranny, and diff fluids, myself, but have the dealership do things that I no longer like to do - like flushing out all the brake fluid or changing the antifreeze. Over the past 8 years, I have never had a problem with the dealership. They do charge more than a neighborhood shop, but so far, I've never had to bring my car back twice for the same problem. That's worth alot to me.
I was in between houses at one time and really needed to get the oil changed and the coolant flushed. I asked around for people's favorite dealerships. When I made up my mind, I called; said who I was and what I needed, and my special concerns. Was I happy with the bill? Not really, but they DID do a good job and treated me very nicely. That was the only time anyone has ever changed any of my cars' fluids.
Other advice; it may be more expensive, but what about taking it to a performace or corvette shop? Even here in Wisconsin there are several shops I could have this type of work done. Have you checked yet?
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 571
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From: Milwaukee Wi
You should see if there is someone local on here that would let you borrow there space. I have an uncle over in Ruskin that you could more than likely borrow his carport and tools. He's been working on and off on my aunt's corvette.
pm me if your interested.
pm me if your interested.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Adkins Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
I just went through this with my car. I am in the same situation right now so what I did was bought mobile one oil and filter at advance on sale recently (5 quarts plus filter $29.99) and took it to my local dealer. He charged me $16.50 and was in and out in 45 min. No fuss no muss. They also reset the oil monitor for me. Overall great experience.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,424
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Don't trust the local quick oil change places. They tend to be more interested in the car and i just feel more at ease when i take it to my favorite high performance shop. Plus i use Shaffers Oil and they carry it. Knowing personally the people working on my car gives me peace of mind.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 527
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From: Casselberry Florida
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
It's a fairly standard assumption in the mind of the general public that corvette owners are "obsessive" when it comes to thier cars.
This can work in your favor
In all likelyhood, if you were to bring it to a local shop, or even an Oil change chain, they will have no problem with you watching the work while its done.
I mean, its not rocket science. No matter what your level of mechanical ability or knowledge, you basicaly understand that they are letting the oil out (by removing the drain plug), removing the old filter and installing a new one (screws out, self contained unit) from the bottom of the car and filling the crackcase with new oil (seven quarts) from the top of the car. Very little can go wrong. If you are worried, check for leaks when you pull outside. If it doesnt leak that day (look under car where you park it that night when you get up the next day) its not going to.
Just buy the proper oil and filter and ask them. It'll be fine
This can work in your favor
In all likelyhood, if you were to bring it to a local shop, or even an Oil change chain, they will have no problem with you watching the work while its done.
I mean, its not rocket science. No matter what your level of mechanical ability or knowledge, you basicaly understand that they are letting the oil out (by removing the drain plug), removing the old filter and installing a new one (screws out, self contained unit) from the bottom of the car and filling the crackcase with new oil (seven quarts) from the top of the car. Very little can go wrong. If you are worried, check for leaks when you pull outside. If it doesnt leak that day (look under car where you park it that night when you get up the next day) its not going to.
Just buy the proper oil and filter and ask them. It'll be fine
Last edited by Jistari; Apr 29, 2009 at 01:39 AM.
