i need your input!!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
i need your input!!
ok the car is a 2003 Z06 with 28,300 miles..i have only had the car for 1300 of those miles so far..but i wanting to do some maintanice on her sorta peace of mind type of stuff..the list is as follows:
1: engine oil? what kind are you all running? i can see in the manual is states to use GM4718M is mobile 1 good enouge for this? and i type would be SAE 5W-30
2: what kind of transmission fluild to use? should i even worry about that at my current mileage
3: rear axel from what i have read is says to use a SAE 75W-90 synthetic axel fluid? what kind are you all running?
4: engine coolant, should i keep the dexcool stuff or do a full system flush and go with the green stuff? cause i deft need to change that soon.
thanks for your time ...
1: engine oil? what kind are you all running? i can see in the manual is states to use GM4718M is mobile 1 good enouge for this? and i type would be SAE 5W-30
2: what kind of transmission fluild to use? should i even worry about that at my current mileage
3: rear axel from what i have read is says to use a SAE 75W-90 synthetic axel fluid? what kind are you all running?
4: engine coolant, should i keep the dexcool stuff or do a full system flush and go with the green stuff? cause i deft need to change that soon.
thanks for your time ...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Hey man,
You definately want to go with synthetic fluids. Mobil 1 is as good as any, and easier to find than most.
You are probably okay without changing diff, tranny and radiator, but for peace-of-mind I would go ahead and change them. The best part about all this is that though the Corvette is a special car, it is in fact just a GM Chevrolet. Most of this you can do yourself at home with little previous skill or special tools.
Good luck, keep us posted as to what you do and what you find. Your experiences will be the lessons for someone else.
You definately want to go with synthetic fluids. Mobil 1 is as good as any, and easier to find than most.
You are probably okay without changing diff, tranny and radiator, but for peace-of-mind I would go ahead and change them. The best part about all this is that though the Corvette is a special car, it is in fact just a GM Chevrolet. Most of this you can do yourself at home with little previous skill or special tools.
Good luck, keep us posted as to what you do and what you find. Your experiences will be the lessons for someone else.
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Mobil 1 fully synthetic 5W30 is fine - it is the one recommended from the factory.
I would use the DexCool coolant - it will do just fine in the car as long as you change it at the recommended intervals.
I would use the DexCool coolant - it will do just fine in the car as long as you change it at the recommended intervals.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 23
From: Clifton Park New York
Mobil One oil and you don't need to change the anti-freeze. Coming from a life long friend who is 30 yr vet as a GM certified tech, you don't need to change it for 100,000. its a waste of time and money. And oil changes can go to 7500 miles easy.(YES, even in a VETTE) 5000 miles if you are ****. If the dealers promoted this stuff, more of them would be out of business!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria Ca.
I use Castrol Edge 5w30 oil,
Valvoline DexronIII (MN6)in the tranny
Mobil 1 oil filter,
Mobil 1 synthetic in the diff(you do not need to add friction modifier).
GM#12345347 in the clutch
Prestone DOT3 Synthetic Brake fluid(DOT4 if you track the car)
Royal Purple Synthetic Power Steering Fluid
Gatorback Serpentine Belts
Nitrogen in the tires
DO NOT use "the green stuff",stick with DexCool
I tried Mobil 1 synthetic in the tranny,but it didn't work as well as el-cheapo DexIII(like the tag on the fill plug tried to tell me)
Valvoline DexronIII (MN6)in the tranny
Mobil 1 oil filter,
Mobil 1 synthetic in the diff(you do not need to add friction modifier).
GM#12345347 in the clutch
Prestone DOT3 Synthetic Brake fluid(DOT4 if you track the car)
Royal Purple Synthetic Power Steering Fluid
Gatorback Serpentine Belts
Nitrogen in the tires
DO NOT use "the green stuff",stick with DexCool
I tried Mobil 1 synthetic in the tranny,but it didn't work as well as el-cheapo DexIII(like the tag on the fill plug tried to tell me)
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 38
From: King George VA
My recommendations:
Engine Oil:
- AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic 0w30 (Product Code SSOQT)
- AMSOIL SAE Synthetic 5w30 (Product Code ASLQT)
Note: Both are Group IV PAO based synthetics labeled for GM4718M. The 0w30 has slightly elevated additive levels and was my choice for my daily driver CTS-V (LS2 engine) from 06-09 when I sold it. The SAE 5w30 is very close in performance, but at a lower cost. FYI - I use AMSOIL's racing oil in my Vette but that isn't suitable for daily driving.
Tranny: AMSOIL Torque-Drive Synthetic Transmission Fluid (Product Code ATD1G)
Note: This is what I used in my CTS-V and use in my Z06.
Diff: AMSOIL Severe Gear Extreme Pressure Synthetic 75w90 (Product Code SVGQT)
Note: This fluid contains friction modifier and extra additive is not normally needed in the C5 Z06. I use this fluid in my Z06 without extra additive and ran it in my CTS-V, also without extra additive.
Coolant: I go with 50-50 dexcool, but would recommend a bottle of this: AMSOIL Dominator Coolant Boost (Product Code RDCBCN)
Not on your list, but I'd also recommend using a bottle of this to clean your injectors: AMSOIL P.I. Performance Improver (Product Code APICN)
Happy to get any to all of the above for forum members at dealer wholesale, about 25% below retail, via the AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program. Drop me a PM if interested.
Engine Oil:
- AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic 0w30 (Product Code SSOQT)
- AMSOIL SAE Synthetic 5w30 (Product Code ASLQT)
Note: Both are Group IV PAO based synthetics labeled for GM4718M. The 0w30 has slightly elevated additive levels and was my choice for my daily driver CTS-V (LS2 engine) from 06-09 when I sold it. The SAE 5w30 is very close in performance, but at a lower cost. FYI - I use AMSOIL's racing oil in my Vette but that isn't suitable for daily driving.
Tranny: AMSOIL Torque-Drive Synthetic Transmission Fluid (Product Code ATD1G)
Note: This is what I used in my CTS-V and use in my Z06.
Diff: AMSOIL Severe Gear Extreme Pressure Synthetic 75w90 (Product Code SVGQT)
Note: This fluid contains friction modifier and extra additive is not normally needed in the C5 Z06. I use this fluid in my Z06 without extra additive and ran it in my CTS-V, also without extra additive.
Coolant: I go with 50-50 dexcool, but would recommend a bottle of this: AMSOIL Dominator Coolant Boost (Product Code RDCBCN)
Not on your list, but I'd also recommend using a bottle of this to clean your injectors: AMSOIL P.I. Performance Improver (Product Code APICN)
Happy to get any to all of the above for forum members at dealer wholesale, about 25% below retail, via the AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program. Drop me a PM if interested.
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AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Any GM4718M oil from a brand you trust
Quaker State HorsePower
Pennzoil Ultra
Pennzoil Platium
Formula Shell fully synthetic
Mobil 1
Valvoline fully synthetic
Castrol Edge
Castrol syntec
there are many of them... There is no need for boutique oils in my opinion.. especially if you are going to chang eoil every 7,500 miles or less.
Pick your favorite brand available at Walmart... no reason paying Corvette tax on engine oil.
Dexron III in the manual transmission I use Mobil 1
75W90 gear oil in the rear diff. + 4 0z of limited slip or positraction additive ( GM or after market) put the additive in first. again I use Mobil 1
For the brakes and clutch Valvoline Synthetic DOT 3 & DOT 4 brake fluid.
coolant is good for 100K miles stay pink.
Quaker State HorsePower
Pennzoil Ultra
Pennzoil Platium
Formula Shell fully synthetic
Mobil 1
Valvoline fully synthetic
Castrol Edge
Castrol syntec
there are many of them... There is no need for boutique oils in my opinion.. especially if you are going to chang eoil every 7,500 miles or less.
Pick your favorite brand available at Walmart... no reason paying Corvette tax on engine oil.
Dexron III in the manual transmission I use Mobil 1
75W90 gear oil in the rear diff. + 4 0z of limited slip or positraction additive ( GM or after market) put the additive in first. again I use Mobil 1
For the brakes and clutch Valvoline Synthetic DOT 3 & DOT 4 brake fluid.
coolant is good for 100K miles stay pink.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Oil filters by my order of preference
Napa Gold... they have an annual sale starting soon ( start date varies by region) usuallyabout half price.
Wix
Baldwin
Mobil 1
K&N
AC/Delco
Napa Gold... they have an annual sale starting soon ( start date varies by region) usuallyabout half price.
Wix
Baldwin
Mobil 1
K&N
AC/Delco
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
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It really depends on how you drive your car, Mobil1 is great oil and will do just fine unless you track your car, Then I would maybe think about going something a bit better like Royal Purple, If you just drive your car on the street with a few spirited runs no need to spend the money for Amsoil, Royal Purple or any other high priced oils.