Oil change interval
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 582
From: Conway South Carolina
Oil change interval
Does anyone wait for the oil change reminder to tell you that the oil needs changing? Or do you just change it by mileage as I do.
Last edited by Ramets; Jul 22, 2020 at 05:23 AM.
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I changed the oil in my C5s once a year due to low mileage and per the owner’s manual. For those that put more miles on their car, nothing wrong with using the oil life monitor to determine when to change the oil. Just ensure the oil is changed at least once a year.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 886
Likes: 87
From: Largo FL
I go by oil life monitor on all my cars and it has worked out perfect for me. Everyone has their own opinion, but if you google it you can read a lot of info on what the experts say, such as the manufacturers.
Last edited by ronwc; Jul 22, 2020 at 07:07 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 776
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From: KY
I'm sure you know but for those that do not, the oil life monitor bases the time for change based on the revolutions of the engine. If you drive at higher RPM's then you will need a change sooner, just cruising you will need a change later. This and time (if you are a low mileage driver) to me are very good indicators of when your oil has reached it's end of satisfactory protection and lubrication.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
The OLM does a lot more than just say "hey, it's time to change your oil." It tracks mileage, temperature, idle time, engine load and RPM, start/stop cycles, and more.
I change mine at 15-20 percent and that works for me. The official literature from GM on newer cars at least says to schedule your service when it gets to 10%.
Of note: it does not track oil level. You should still check that religiously, especially on LS engines that see high RPM use. I check mine at every fill up (which for me, works out to be about once every 10 days or so).
I change mine at 15-20 percent and that works for me. The official literature from GM on newer cars at least says to schedule your service when it gets to 10%.
Of note: it does not track oil level. You should still check that religiously, especially on LS engines that see high RPM use. I check mine at every fill up (which for me, works out to be about once every 10 days or so).
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
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From: Western NY
I changed the oil in my C5s once a year due to low mileage and per the owner’s manual. For those that put more miles on their car, nothing wrong with using the oil life monitor to determine when to change the oil. Just ensure the oil is changed at least once a year.
And sadly, due to the "flu invasion", 2020 will certainly be a "low mileage" year, as there's no where to go. I find myself taking the car out for a ride, just to do something. But even at that, I haven't gone through a full tank of gas, yet, and it's the middle of summer..............
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,463
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From: Chino CA
I change mine at 5000 miles. I have 3 cars and also take car of 3 other cars for family. Multiples of 5000 miles on the odometer just makes it easy for me to take a quick look and know when an oil change is required.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
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The OLM does a lot more than just say "hey, it's time to change your oil." It tracks mileage, temperature, idle time, engine load and RPM, start/stop cycles, and more.
I change mine at 15-20 percent and that works for me. The official literature from GM on newer cars at least says to schedule your service when it gets to 10%.
Of note: it does not track oil level. You should still check that religiously, especially on LS engines that see high RPM use. I check mine at every fill up (which for me, works out to be about once every 10 days or so).
I change mine at 15-20 percent and that works for me. The official literature from GM on newer cars at least says to schedule your service when it gets to 10%.
Of note: it does not track oil level. You should still check that religiously, especially on LS engines that see high RPM use. I check mine at every fill up (which for me, works out to be about once every 10 days or so).
This is what I do. I've never had any issues at all.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,327
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From: Conway South Carolina
It's been interesting reading the different responses. Being old school I go by mileage, which for me is 5k. That may be too soon for some, but it's cheap maintenance and it's worked for many years for me. I'm old enough to remember when the rule of thumb was 3k. I'm 75, and have had quite a few cars in my day, and have NEVER had an engine problem, and that includes my first car...a '49 Henry J.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Used to do mine every 6 months, but changed to once per year a few years ago. I only drive about 3,000-4,000 miles per year and DIC usually is at about 40-50%.
My car will be 20 years old September 23rd and I just hit 75,000 miles last month.
My car will be 20 years old September 23rd and I just hit 75,000 miles last month.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 667
Likes: 162
From: Jennings LA
My '03 with 153K plus miles is at the 18% oil life left and about 10K miles on it since the last change out. That was done in November last year. In the shop getting the A/C pullies changed out at present but will probably change it when it get's to 10% life left.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
With synthetic oil, it only breaks down with heat. However the additive packages rarely are good past 15000 miles. Myself I autocross/HPDE/and occasionally drag race my car. At 2500-3000 miles per year I change the oil yearly and usually add a few quarts during the year. We had a club member who daily drove his C5Z and changed oil and filter every 4500-5000 miles. As a GM engineer, the Tech Center borrowed his car for a week and tore his engine done @216000 miles. They were amazed at how well the engine held up, how little wear there was and were impressed with the conditions of the sodium valves. By the way he also HPDE and autocross the car regularly. At almost 270,000 miles the car is on its third owner and still autocross/HPDE only for the last 20,000 miles.
