When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I only joined this forum a couple of days ago since I purchased my 2001 C5 with 20,000 miles. Since then I have learned the Corvette dealership
did an oil and filter change and installed a new battery prior to my picking up the car. In noticing that the coolant had not been replaced in about 9 years, I scheduled for such with the my local Chevrolet dealership that has a full-time Corvette technician. To establish a good base line going forward for regular maintenance, I am wondering if I should change out any other fluids. And, I think I read somewhere on Corvette Forum of recommendations for annual maintenance. Any feedback, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. As mentioned, I am new to the Corvette and this forum, but already a number of folks have shared good info. with me. Now I have a skip shift eliminator ordered to get that issue resolved with my stick shift!
I only joined this forum a couple of days ago since I purchased my 2001 C5 with 20,000 miles. Since then I have learned the Corvette dealership
did an oil and filter change and installed a new battery prior to my picking up the car. In noticing that the coolant had not been replaced in about 9 years, I scheduled for such with the my local Chevrolet dealership that has a full-time Corvette technician. To establish a good base line going forward for regular maintenance, I am wondering if I should change out any other fluids. And, I think I read somewhere on Corvette Forum of recommendations for annual maintenance. Any feedback, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. As mentioned, I am new to the Corvette and this forum, but already a number of folks have shared good info. with me. Now I have a skip shift eliminator ordered to get that issue resolved with my stick shift!
Congrats and welcome!
I bought a 2000 with 19,000 miles over the summer. If you're not sure about fluid history, I would change all fluids. Transmission fluid, differential fluid, power steering fluid, engine coolant, and brake fluid. That's just my advice. And make sure you order a LMC5 if you have a manual transmission (based on your model year). Just Google "LMC5". It's to prevent the anti-theft system from acting up. Its like $45, I believe. Trust me...you want it, unless you want the car giving you problems later on.
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
When I bought my '03 back in '09, the car had only 8500 miles on it and was well maintained. However, I went ahead and had all the fluids changed just so I would go forward with my own baseline for maintenance. The cost to change the fluids was reasonable for the peace of mind.
Congratulations! I go with others on changing out all fluids, that will give you a baseline for future maintenance, well worth the money and trouble. Also, as already suggested, the lmc5. Good luck with your new baby and enjoy!
Welcome to the forum, and just like the rest here I would replace all fluids including master cylinder while it's in the shop.
Have fun enjoying your dream.
When I bought my '03 back in '09, the car had only 8500 miles on it and was well maintained. However, I went ahead and had all the fluids changed just so I would go forward with my own baseline for maintenance. The cost to change the fluids was reasonable for the peace of mind.
Peace of mind is everything. The dealership where I bought the car put in a new AC Delco battery and did an oil change with Mobil 1 before I took possession. Wednesday the local Chevrolet dealership where I live will perform a coolant flush and fill with the only coolant Corvette recommends. and have the technician replace the upper and lower hoses, replace the clamps and the radiator cap. Then next week I would like them to replace the manual transmission fluid, differential fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid and master cylinder fluid. And install a high quality serpentine belt. How far do I take this? What else needs to be addressed?
Last edited by Barry6547; Feb 20, 2017 at 10:46 PM.
Peace of mind is everything. The dealership where I bought the car put in a new AC Delco battery and did an oil change with Mobil 1 before I took possession. Wednesday the local Chevrolet dealership where I live will perform a coolant flush and fill with the only coolant Corvette recommends. and have the technician replace the upper and lower hoses, replace the clamps and the radiator cap. Then next week I would like them to replace the manual transmission fluid, differential fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid and master cylinder fluid. And install a high quality serpentine belt. How far do I take this? What else needs to be addressed?
Make sure the water pump isn't leaking. Mine was...with 19,000 miles. The water pumps are junk on these. They seem to fail pretty often. If it does, it's not too terrible. I think I paid $400-$450 for water pump and labor.
Check the harmonic balancer! There is a design flaw with them on LS1 and LS2. If it's wobbling, get an ATI brand ($400 for part) and labor will run $500-$700 or so.
Other than the water pump and harmonic balancer, you are pretty much good to go.
I was at Advanced Auto Parts today and thought I might get a bottle or two of the Techron additive. But I left without anything because they offer two types...Fuel Injector Cleaner and Complete Fuel System Cleaner. I want to use the right Techron at whatever intervals you folks think would be ok...and would hopefully help prevent any sensor/fuel tank issue from developing at some point in the future. So which one is the Techron that many are using? Is it the Complete fuel system cleaner?
Last edited by Barry6547; Feb 26, 2017 at 03:04 PM.
Reason: more mistakes....
I was at Advanced Auto Parts today and thought I might get a bottle or two of the Techron additive. But I left without anything because they offer two types...Fuel Injector Cleaner and Complete Fuel System Cleaner. I want to use the right Techron at whatever intervals you folks think would be ok...and would hopefully help prevent any sensor/fuel tank issue from developing at some point in the future. So which one is the Techron that many are using? Is it the Complete fuel system cleaner?
Use the Techron complete fuel system cleaner. I've put a bottle about every 3 months in and never had any injector, fuel pump, or fuel gauge problems in 19 years.
When I bought my '03 back in '09, the car had only 8500 miles on it and was well maintained. However, I went ahead and had all the fluids changed just so I would go forward with my own baseline for maintenance. The cost to change the fluids was reasonable for the peace of mind.
Well, as you know, I had all the fluids changed out, replaced the radiator hoses, belt, clips and radiator cap and the ac belt, had the brake pads checked...and life has been good...but as I was leaving for a little evening drive I noticed the following messages are coming on...Service ABS,
Service Active Handling, Service Traction System. Could these be programmed service notices? I cannot believe I would need to go back
to the dealership already.
Last edited by Barry6547; Feb 26, 2017 at 05:23 PM.