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Oil Change/Recommendation

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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 02:57 PM
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Default Oil Change/Recommendation

Ok here is my first question:

In my 87 Porsche 928S4 I run 20/50 oil from Valvoline (9 quarts). As a matter of fact I run the same stuff in my GSXR750 (4 quarts). The BMW I just got rid of was using Mobil synthetic and could go 15K between oil changes.

What is the oil recommendation for a 2001 Vette and what are the recommended changing intervals?

I live in NJ and will not drive the car in the winter (except for those really nice days). During the rest of the year I might drive off and on about 7 miles per day during the workweek and of course as much as possible on the weekend….

Thanks...
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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 03:04 PM
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Personally, I would change it at the end of the season so you don't have the moisture and alkaline's, dirt, etc... laying in your oil pan all winter. And I would change it again after about a month or two of spring driving.

I'm sure you could probably get away with 1 time per year if you wanted. My recommendation is to err on the side of caution. I want fresh, clean oil running through my engine, and I can afford to change it twice per year.
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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by CE2004
Personally, I would change it at the end of the season so you don't have the moisture and alkaline's, dirt, etc... laying in your oil pan all winter. And I would change it again after about a month or two of spring driving.

I'm sure you could probably get away with 1 time per year if you wanted. My recommendation is to err on the side of caution. I want fresh, clean oil running through my engine, and I can afford to change it twice per year.
As far as viscosity, go with what your owners manual recommends, 5W30. Just my $0.02.
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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 04:06 PM
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The recommended oil is Mobil 1 Synthetic. In your area, I would use 5W30 and change it a couple times per year.
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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 08:45 PM
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Mobil 1 5w-30, 10w-30, I use 10w-30 down here in SW Florida. I also change it every 3000 miles, I'm sure you can go longer, but for $40 its cheap insurance, thats doing it myself.
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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by CE2004
Personally, I would change it at the end of the season so you don't have the moisture and alkaline's, dirt, etc... laying in your oil pan all winter. And I would change it again after about a month or two of spring driving.

I'm sure you could probably get away with 1 time per year if you wanted. My recommendation is to err on the side of caution. I want fresh, clean oil running through my engine, and I can afford to change it twice per year.
Most here feel the same way.
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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 09:10 PM
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I have recently been switching all my cars to German Castrol 0W-30. It is a very high 30 weight oil and has been produced stellar used oil analyses. Three cars to date, the Vette will get it during the next change. The oil is rated GF-3 and ACEA A3 so it passes the worst set of tests out there.
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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 11:21 PM
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The recommended oil from the factory is Mobil 1 5W30 - 6.5 quarts.

Oil change interval can be done per the oil life monitoring system that is on the car or just at a specified interval before that. I change mine when the oil life remaining on the DIC says around 40% oil life remaining. That equates to about 4500 miles between changes.
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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 11:33 PM
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I spoke to the manager of a Specialty German auto repair shop recently and he told me that he and his mechanics are finding big problems with BMW owners who have waited 15,000 miles between oil changes. He said the same thing aout 5-year antifreeze. The C5 Corvette has an oil change interval algorythm that is a bit conservative and hence, very safe to follow. I drive 16-20 miles per day and after one year, my oil life monitor shows 20% remaining (after 5500 miles of driving). However, since the manual recommends changing oil every year, even when milage is low, I change once per year. I advise you to do the same (5W-30 Mobil 1).
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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 11:35 PM
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Default Whenever the DIC says < 25%

I change mine around 25% left on the computer. Usually this is about 5k miles. I use Mobile One 5w30. I was considering switching to 10w30 in the summer but I'll be honest in saying that I really don't understand the ratings very well. I think they're the same except 5w30 is more viscous during the cold months? Anyhow, Walleyworld I can buy 7 quarts (extra .5 quart for oil consumption) for about 26 bucks and a filter for about 5. 30 bucks on my baby is well spent. Plus it means I get to do some wrenching
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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 11:40 PM
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When I get a C5 in a week or two, it will immediately get a crankcase full of German Castrol 0w30, and a K&N oil filter. I plan on running a 5000 mile interval first, and in the cold months will continue with 5-6k intervals. In the warm months, I have no problems going as high as 10k, especially since I always do a used oil analysis to make sure it is safe.
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