Long time no post....Problems with oil
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Jam Veteran I GA
Long time no post....Problems with oil
Well, its been awhile since I've posted, or even surfed the forum. Got involved with RC racing and it has taking all of my time.
Haven't been driving my C5 much, maybe once a month for the past few months. The last time I drove it, I went for about 15 miles and the "low oil" light came on.
I immediately pulled over and checked the oil and the level was well below the "etched part" of the dip stick. I was able to put one quart in the car to get home and the car has been sitting ever since. That was about 3 weeks ago.
I checked the oil again last night and the level seems to be fine now, but the car has been sitting for awhile. It does appear to be a little dark in color, but I know very little about cars so I don't really know what I'm looking at.
Do you think the car is okay to drive? Should I get it to the shop as soon as possible? I've never noticed any leaking of the oil in the garage or any burning smell like it was burning off. Does oil just disapate like this over time? It has probalby been about 6,000 miles since my last oil change. The car has 10,600 miles on it.
Thanks in adavnce!
Haven't been driving my C5 much, maybe once a month for the past few months. The last time I drove it, I went for about 15 miles and the "low oil" light came on.
I immediately pulled over and checked the oil and the level was well below the "etched part" of the dip stick. I was able to put one quart in the car to get home and the car has been sitting ever since. That was about 3 weeks ago.
I checked the oil again last night and the level seems to be fine now, but the car has been sitting for awhile. It does appear to be a little dark in color, but I know very little about cars so I don't really know what I'm looking at.
Do you think the car is okay to drive? Should I get it to the shop as soon as possible? I've never noticed any leaking of the oil in the garage or any burning smell like it was burning off. Does oil just disapate like this over time? It has probalby been about 6,000 miles since my last oil change. The car has 10,600 miles on it.
Thanks in adavnce!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Sounds normal to me. Motors burn oil or burn up. 6k is for most a long time between changes. If you did it every 3k you'd probably not notice the oil level going down. My .02 Merry Christmas.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Jam Veteran I GA
Originally Posted by ooh yeah
Lets see RC racing or Driving the Vette???? How could it compare unless you are making $$ doing it! I guess everyone has hobbies but mine is driving the crap out of my vette. Merry X-mas 
i was going by the % of oil life gauge on the DIC to determine when I needed an oil change. Sounds like that might not be the best of ideas huh?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 0
From: N East fl
I also was into RC boats put them on ebay and bought some MODS for the vette. 
If you drive the vette over 4 grand she will use some oil. I have an 01 and when I drive her hard she uses some oil. No biggie just stay on top of it, I check my oil at least 3-5 times a week why? Just because the hood is open and it only takes a second.
If you drive the vette over 4 grand she will use some oil. I have an 01 and when I drive her hard she uses some oil. No biggie just stay on top of it, I check my oil at least 3-5 times a week why? Just because the hood is open and it only takes a second.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
What year is the car? Some years had a little more problems with oil control than others. Also, when was the last change? Manual stipulates 1 year minimum between changes, so if you haven't been driving for a while might want to pull the records and verify the last change date.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 17,541
Likes: 2
From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
The car will be fine - you don't mention what model year you've got, but I typically go 6-7K between changes, as recommended by the oil-life monitor on the DIC. (On newer cars, I think the recommended interval is 10K or more.) There have been a couple of times when I've needed to add a quart between changes - as mentioned above, it all depends on how the car is driven. With yours at 6K, I would expect the oil to be a little darker than when new. No biggie.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Jam Veteran I GA
Thanks for the responses guys. The car is an 03 Coupe, auto. I have only changed the oil one time. Think I changed it around the first 3500 miles and haven't changed it since. Probably pretty close to the one year mark as well. I will be sure to get it in next week for a change. thanks agian!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,160
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From: Mesquite Texas
Originally Posted by vettenuts
What year is the car? Some years had a little more problems with oil control than others. Also, when was the last change? Manual stipulates 1 year minimum between changes, so if you haven't been driving for a while might want to pull the records and verify the last change date.