View Poll Results: How many of you change the oil/filter yourself?
Yes, I change the oil/filter myself.
155
90.12%
Heck no, are you crazy - it’s a Corvette!
11
6.40%
Pie
6
3.49%
Voters: 172. You may not vote on this poll
How many of you change the oil yourself?
#41
Drifting
I do it myself. It's faster than going somewhere and cheaper.
It's also pretty easy without a lift. Raise the rear of the car, remove oil pan bolt and filter, lower car back down (C5s need to be near level for proper oil drain), let drain into a slim pan, raise back up, re-install, fill up crankcase, done. What takes the most time is waiting for all the oil to drain. Usually do a chore in the garage or drink another beer.
It's also pretty easy without a lift. Raise the rear of the car, remove oil pan bolt and filter, lower car back down (C5s need to be near level for proper oil drain), let drain into a slim pan, raise back up, re-install, fill up crankcase, done. What takes the most time is waiting for all the oil to drain. Usually do a chore in the garage or drink another beer.
#42
Racer
I change my own and do all maintenance and repairs myself. With 4 cars, there is always something to do. I keep a list of the required filters and whenever we need to buy something on Amazon and don't have quite enough to get free shipping, I just add in an oil filter or two! I always have filters and oil on hand and the changes are super easy.
When my daughter gets her license in the next year that will bring it up to 5 vehicles. I like working on them all and keeping them nice.
When my daughter gets her license in the next year that will bring it up to 5 vehicles. I like working on them all and keeping them nice.
#44
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2016
Location: The Steel City, Colorful Colorado
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Winner 2020 C7 of the Year - Modified
#45
I have more metal in my neck than is probably in the entire car. I let somebody else do the crawling and straining.
#47
My Corvette friends seem to freak out every time they find out that I change the oil/filter on my C5 by myself. It’s still a car and actually IMO it’s really pretty easy to work on.
I am not a mechanic by any means, but I can follow instructions and am not afraid to take tasks such as these especially when I know they’ll be done right and I can save a few bucks.
So I am curious, how many C5 owners do their own maintenance and how many leave their fate to garages/stealerships?
I am not a mechanic by any means, but I can follow instructions and am not afraid to take tasks such as these especially when I know they’ll be done right and I can save a few bucks.
So I am curious, how many C5 owners do their own maintenance and how many leave their fate to garages/stealerships?
Yes, do it myself. I let it drain for a couple hours or maybe overnight. The funnel I use is scrupulously clean and I know I'm getting real Mobil1. (Bought on sale during the rebate periods.) It doesn't get overfilled or underfilled. Have a full height lift which makes it easy. With the Corvette and other family cars I make a trip to recycling once a year with 25-30 gallons of used oil.
#49
Melting Slicks
I did mine up until I f*cked up my back a few years ago... now do the same. I bring my own everything and watch closely and pay $22.
#50
Drifting
I doubt the quick lube places fill the filter up with fresh oil before installing, or raise the back up more than an inch to get all the oil out. There are a few things that just doesn't get done that you would do if you take the car to be serviced.
#51
Melting Slicks
Newer engines, especially after 1998, have increasingly small orifices. It is more important than ever to use high quality filters.
The issue with changing oil, there is a chance for contamination, dirt and filth can enter the engine when the plugs/caps are removed. If the service tech does not fully clean and wipe all areas involved with liquid transfer for example.
All it takes is little dirt to ruin an engine. Plug an orifice and you might not find out for 5k miles by which time the block could be trash. I just consider worst case scenarios. If the engine does fail, at least if you did the oil changes yourself, you know it wasn't because somebody poisoned the engine some years ago.
The issue with changing oil, there is a chance for contamination, dirt and filth can enter the engine when the plugs/caps are removed. If the service tech does not fully clean and wipe all areas involved with liquid transfer for example.
All it takes is little dirt to ruin an engine. Plug an orifice and you might not find out for 5k miles by which time the block could be trash. I just consider worst case scenarios. If the engine does fail, at least if you did the oil changes yourself, you know it wasn't because somebody poisoned the engine some years ago.
#52
Le Mans Master
All he said was "No problem". Right.
Luckily I did not drive it far, noticed it right away and the case did not go dry, otherwise it would have been a real mess.
Quick oil change places do not have the most highly skilled employees and I will never trust them again.
The following users liked this post:
capevettes (01-24-2018)
#54
Pro
I haven't had my Vette long enough to decide yet! I need a new jack - the one I had for the 74 won't fit under the 02.
My biggest issue is the disposal - how do people dispose of the old oil and filter?
My biggest issue is the disposal - how do people dispose of the old oil and filter?
#55
Team Owner
One of my friends has a Midas Muffler franchise, and he has a waste oil furnace. Usually near the end of winter, especially a really cold one, like we had this year, he's gladly accepting used oil so he can keep the shop warm.
With respect to old filters, I used to work part-time, for the area's Advance Auto Parts store. We were located in a "strip plaza", next door to a GoodYear service store. The GY store had a small "dumpster bin" just for old oil filters, which was located outside the rear of the shop. I used to toss my used ones in there.....
#57
Pro
In NY state, any retailer that sells oil, is required to accept the used oil, for recycle. If you can't do that, there are options...many "highway Department garages, use a waste oil furnace to heat their buildings in the winter. Many of them will accept used oil from their residents.
One of my friends has a Midas Muffler franchise, and he has a waste oil furnace. Usually near the end of winter, especially a really cold one, like we had this year, he's gladly accepting used oil so he can keep the shop warm.
With respect to old filters, I used to work part-time, for the area's Advance Auto Parts store. We were located in a "strip plaza", next door to a GoodYear service store. The GY store had a small "dumpster bin" just for old oil filters, which was located outside the rear of the shop. I used to toss my used ones in there.....
One of my friends has a Midas Muffler franchise, and he has a waste oil furnace. Usually near the end of winter, especially a really cold one, like we had this year, he's gladly accepting used oil so he can keep the shop warm.
With respect to old filters, I used to work part-time, for the area's Advance Auto Parts store. We were located in a "strip plaza", next door to a GoodYear service store. The GY store had a small "dumpster bin" just for old oil filters, which was located outside the rear of the shop. I used to toss my used ones in there.....
Good ideas - I'll need to take a look.
#59
Pro
#60
Safety Car
Mine either . My 04 sees 150 + MPH at times ,yes on the track , I don't want to be thinking if the last YA-HOO who worked on it forget to tighten something up .. I am the only YA-HOO that works on it ,way too much money in any for my Corvettes to let someone but there hands on them .. I have tools and the knowhow and be working on vettes for well long time many years ..