Just bought a Corvette!
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Just bought a Corvette!
Hey guys (and gals) I just found myself as the happiest guy on earth by buying a 1999 Corvette, 36k miles, and in excellent condition. I can't seem to find anything in the forums about good preventative maintenance tips or anything regarding general maintenance with recently purchased Corvettes.
I understand these vehicles have their own individual attitudes and characteristics (a definite upgrade over my old Honda!), so I'm looking for a few general procedures to do when becoming a new owner, and what products work well for these cars.
What I'm thinking is since I don't know the exact maintenance history of my car I should change the spark plugs, spark plug wires, oil, oil filter, air filter, coolant, windshield cleaning fluid, brake pads, and air freshener. Are there other things I should specifically look at? What are some good combos of ignition products, oil products, etc.? My goal with the car is to break 400 hp, it will be rarely raced and driven/enjoyed VERY often, most likely driven multiple times a week to include small road trips on the weekends.
Thank you for your responses! I'm so happy to have my dream car!
I understand these vehicles have their own individual attitudes and characteristics (a definite upgrade over my old Honda!), so I'm looking for a few general procedures to do when becoming a new owner, and what products work well for these cars.
What I'm thinking is since I don't know the exact maintenance history of my car I should change the spark plugs, spark plug wires, oil, oil filter, air filter, coolant, windshield cleaning fluid, brake pads, and air freshener. Are there other things I should specifically look at? What are some good combos of ignition products, oil products, etc.? My goal with the car is to break 400 hp, it will be rarely raced and driven/enjoyed VERY often, most likely driven multiple times a week to include small road trips on the weekends.
Thank you for your responses! I'm so happy to have my dream car!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 608
Likes: 70
From: Richmond, VA
Congrats on your purchase!
Oil, filter, plugs, and wires are all a good idea. I would inspect the brake pads, but unless you're experiencing any issues with them or theyre worn I wouldn't replace them. Windshield washer solvent wouldn't go bad I don't think.
Enjoy your corvette.....they are fabulous cars!
Oil, filter, plugs, and wires are all a good idea. I would inspect the brake pads, but unless you're experiencing any issues with them or theyre worn I wouldn't replace them. Windshield washer solvent wouldn't go bad I don't think.
Enjoy your corvette.....they are fabulous cars!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln Nebraska
Welcome to the forum 
You should look through the stickies at the top of each forum, they cover multitudes of items, problem areas, common issues, etc.
Sounds like you got a nice car there! But this post is worthless without pictures...post em up
We want to see your new toy!
You should look through the stickies at the top of each forum, they cover multitudes of items, problem areas, common issues, etc.
Sounds like you got a nice car there! But this post is worthless without pictures...post em up
We want to see your new toy!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Clarkesville GA
Oldtimer
Congratulation on your new toy!!! I know how thrilled I was when I got mine. Fact is I still am!!
You will be amazed at how much you can learn from the "stickeys", read and reread them. You won't be bored for a while.
Good Luck and most of all have fun..
You will be amazed at how much you can learn from the "stickeys", read and reread them. You won't be bored for a while.
Good Luck and most of all have fun..
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
auto tranny or 6 speed.. If its a 6 speed look at the clutch fluid.. It probably needs flushed. Change the oil and filter. Plugs are good for 100k miles.. Most of us replace them earlier.. My 99 Corvettes plugs looked perfect at 53k miles,, So did my 2002 Z06 at 40k miles.. Replaced them anyway.. I got bored you could say! You might want to pull one plug to see if the originals are still in there.. Beware of one thing.. You may easily break a plug wire doing this.. The wires will be brittle from the heat and age and some are a flat out pain to get off the plug. If you break the wire a replacement from the dealer is $33 or you can get a whole set of GM hot wires for around $67.00 from Gene Culley. Just remember if you break a wire to have a back up plan. I broke 4 out of 8 on my z06.. They were literally welded to the spark plug.. The brake pads should be fine.. Check them to make sure. Mobil1 synthetic is fine and used by most folks. Any full synthetic oil will be perfectly fine to use in the engine.. also read this thread.. One of my favorites... You will find it very interesting and educational. Take 10 minutes to go through it. I promise you will be glad you did! http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
Last edited by David426; Jul 23, 2010 at 05:33 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa ok
Your heading in the right direction pretty much basic maintnence nothing to special its just a ls1. As far as you hp goal quickest and easest and cheapest in my opinion is the bottle dont let it scare just do a lot of research on it. And rather be safe then sorry. Ls1s love the n20.