C5 oil change
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 3
From: MA.
C5 oil change
New to Corvette Forum. What's the big deal about jacking the rear of the car to get all the
oil out. Change my oil every year ( 2,000 to 4,000 miles ). Seems dangerous to do
what is recommended. Am retired now and have time to take care of a few issues.
Brake fluid , sway bar links. 1998 coupe, so it needs some attention.
oil out. Change my oil every year ( 2,000 to 4,000 miles ). Seems dangerous to do
what is recommended. Am retired now and have time to take care of a few issues.
Brake fluid , sway bar links. 1998 coupe, so it needs some attention.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
It has to do with the oil pan design to get the car lower/flatter underneath. The design is referred to as "bat wing" and doesn't look like your traditional oil pan. Also the drain plug is facing the front of the car. At any rate the car needs to be level to change the oil. I use homemade ramps to lift the front, drain the oil (warmed up car of course) and when the flow slows to a trickle use a floor jack to slowly raise the rear until somewhat level. Use a block of wood between the Jack and rear cross member. Significantly more oil will come out.
Congrats on retirement and more time to do the fun things in life!
Congrats on retirement and more time to do the fun things in life!
Last edited by 2TONE82; Nov 9, 2018 at 11:17 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,013
Likes: 388
From: Chandler AZ
Because the drain plug is at the front of the pan, if you have the front on ramps, there is some that won't drain out.
So you jack the rear slightly higher than the front to get the rest out.
What I've always done since spring 2003 when getting the C5, and I'm very careful as I know it's possible the front wheels could roll off the ramps as the car is being jacked up in the rear, I go slow, last time I used a mini level on top of the intake to see what angle the engine is at to not have to jack anymore than needed.
I never get under the car or leave car unattended while the rear is jacked, I look underneath from the side of the car, not from the back(in case it was to roll backwards off the ramps and wheels of floor jack).
You are probably ok just letting it drain without jacking up the rear, I'm slightly OCD and want as much oil out as possible.
So you jack the rear slightly higher than the front to get the rest out.
What I've always done since spring 2003 when getting the C5, and I'm very careful as I know it's possible the front wheels could roll off the ramps as the car is being jacked up in the rear, I go slow, last time I used a mini level on top of the intake to see what angle the engine is at to not have to jack anymore than needed.
I never get under the car or leave car unattended while the rear is jacked, I look underneath from the side of the car, not from the back(in case it was to roll backwards off the ramps and wheels of floor jack).
You are probably ok just letting it drain without jacking up the rear, I'm slightly OCD and want as much oil out as possible.
Racer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 371
Likes: 223
From: Charlotte, NC
I always like to get as much of the old oil out as possible so I change it on a fairly steep hill with some low ramps on the front (making sure I, put it in gear, set the parking brake, AND chock the rear wheels).
As far as oil goes, I only use Motul 8100 X-max 5w-30. I'm sure that the difference between it and Mobil 1 is negligible to non-existent...but I like the fact that it's specifically formulated for extended oil change intervals in high performance engines. It gives me a (probably completely unjustified) warm, fuzzy feeling.
As far as oil goes, I only use Motul 8100 X-max 5w-30. I'm sure that the difference between it and Mobil 1 is negligible to non-existent...but I like the fact that it's specifically formulated for extended oil change intervals in high performance engines. It gives me a (probably completely unjustified) warm, fuzzy feeling.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 798
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
Some folks get concerns about removing the last pint of oil. After servicing marine engines for many years where the oil is frequently removed by pumps Although I try I don't get too excited about removing the last drop. Newer oils are improved, filters are better and if you get most of it out and use the dipstick to determine the proper fill amount you will be fine.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 3
From: MA.
Thanks again. Retirement is very busy.
Appreciate your quick response Wonder if the dealerships do it.
All the dealerships in my area send their Corvette work to my dealership.
My son used to work there selling Chevrolet. Interesting how they are allotted
only so many Corvettes a year.
Was taught to never go under a car unless it was double blocked. Always did
my Corvette oil changes on ramps.Always careful not to overfill.
Was looking for a suction pump to try to get more oil out.
only $20.
Appreciate your quick response Wonder if the dealerships do it.
All the dealerships in my area send their Corvette work to my dealership.
My son used to work there selling Chevrolet. Interesting how they are allotted
only so many Corvettes a year.
Was taught to never go under a car unless it was double blocked. Always did
my Corvette oil changes on ramps.Always careful not to overfill.
Was looking for a suction pump to try to get more oil out.
only $20.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
It has to do with the oil pan design to get the car lower/flatter underneath. The design is referred to as "bat wing" and doesn't look like your traditional oil pan. Also the drain plug is facing the front of the car. At any rate the car needs to be level to change the oil...
I begin with a horizontally leveled car and, when it's just trickling, finish up with a very slight inclination to the front. As it can be seen here, it's impossible to really get all the oil out because of the internal baffling and the way the chambers connect to each other 
. Raising the back of the car too much could make things worse 
.
Last edited by GCG; Nov 9, 2018 at 01:42 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 276
From: Wichita Falls Texas
Just changed mine in my 03 vert. I put it on all four jack stands, slid underneath it from the drivers side behind the front wheel and took out the drain plug then removed the filter.
I let it drain for about 5 minutes while I got my new oil ready and filled the new filter up.
I slid back under on the drivers side behind the front wheel again and put on the new filter and put in the plug.
Got out and put in 6 quarts of Dexos 5-30 synthetic oil and started it up and checked for leaks. No leaks so I took out the jack stands and put it back on the ground.
After I got it warm I let it sit for about a few minutes and then topped it off and reset my dic indicator.
Took me about 45 minutes and I am old and fat and not in a hurry.
I love doing this stuff!!
I let it drain for about 5 minutes while I got my new oil ready and filled the new filter up.
I slid back under on the drivers side behind the front wheel again and put on the new filter and put in the plug.
Got out and put in 6 quarts of Dexos 5-30 synthetic oil and started it up and checked for leaks. No leaks so I took out the jack stands and put it back on the ground.
After I got it warm I let it sit for about a few minutes and then topped it off and reset my dic indicator.
Took me about 45 minutes and I am old and fat and not in a hurry.
I love doing this stuff!!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 376
From: San Jose, CA
Not dangerous at all to jack the rear a little higher than the front, IMO.
I use race ramps with bump stops at the end but I actually put a chock onto it to make a much bigger stop. Drive on. Jack rear a little higher than the front, put it on stands. It doesn't move.
Dealers and shops jack it flat which is why they add about 0.5 quart less than if you tilt it a little forward.
I use race ramps with bump stops at the end but I actually put a chock onto it to make a much bigger stop. Drive on. Jack rear a little higher than the front, put it on stands. It doesn't move.
Dealers and shops jack it flat which is why they add about 0.5 quart less than if you tilt it a little forward.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 491
From: Denver, NC
I just jack up driver side - put a low profile pan under the car, pull plug, lower the jack and let it drain for 10-15 min. Then jack back up, install filter, install plug and refill. Of course put something under the tire or a jack stand in place just in case.
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I put the front tires on a set of Rhino Ramps, jack up the rear to where it is slightly higher than the front, use some jack stands in the rear for added safety and drain the oil. Been doing that with all three C5s that I have had and it works well for me.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 3
From: MA.
Lifting C5’s
C5. Thanks all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
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From: Central Florida
Unless you’re racing your car I think every 3000 miles is probably a little excessive. Is it closer to a year old when you do it? I’m not a mechanic so I will let others chime in that may know better, I thought it might be worth pointing out.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 420
From: Taildragers rule! USA1
New to Corvette Forum. What's the big deal about jacking the rear of the car to get all the
oil out. Change my oil every year ( 2,000 to 4,000 miles ). Seems dangerous to do
what is recommended. Am retired now and have time to take care of a few issues.
Brake fluid , sway bar links. 1998 coupe, so it needs some attention.
oil out. Change my oil every year ( 2,000 to 4,000 miles ). Seems dangerous to do
what is recommended. Am retired now and have time to take care of a few issues.
Brake fluid , sway bar links. 1998 coupe, so it needs some attention.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 3
From: MA.
Street Car
Agreed. Just once a year. Put on 2-4,000 miles a year. Cheap insurance for engine.
