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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 07:16 PM
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Default break in oil

I just bought a new Z06 Sunday, what is the forum's opinion on how long to leave in the original oil? Is the original oil any different from normal Mobil1 5w-30?

Scott
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Rattler71
I just bought a new Z06 Sunday, what is the forum's opinion on how long to leave in the original oil? Is the original oil any different from normal Mobil1 5w-30?

Scott
Congrats on the purchase, you will love it. The original oil is Mobil 1 5W-30. Opinions will vary widely on how often you should change you oil. I will get flamed for this, but since I spent so much on the Vette, I play it very safe, so this is what I did and do. I changed it a 500 miles, then at 1,500 miles and then at 3,000 miles and continue to do it every 3,000 miles thereafter. Lots of guys on here will say that synthetic oil doesn't need to be changed nearly that often, and they are probably right, but synthetic oil gets just as dirty as regular oil, so I play it safe and still change it every 3K. Is it overkill--probably, but hey, all my cars have gone for over 200K before I have sold them without any engine troubles, so I plan on keeping it that way. I also only put about 6K miles a year on the C5, so I change it about twice a year... let the flames begin.

Last edited by CRAIGVETTE; Aug 24, 2004 at 07:54 PM.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 08:03 PM
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1000 miles & pull the plug.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 08:04 PM
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FWIW, I have always understood that breakin oil isn't anything but regular oil, BUT there is a high content of moly (from assembly I am assuming).

With that said, I honestly don't think it makes that big of a difference. My last new car (04' TSX) I left the oil in there for 1000 miles. I think whatever you decide you'll be fine.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 10:35 PM
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Don't waste your money on early oil changes. Just follow what GM says to do in your owners manual and you will be just fine.

And as what was already said, GM doesn't use break in oil. Just the same 5w-30 Mobil 1 synthetic oil as stated in the owners manual.
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 06:33 AM
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break in oil = urban legend
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 03:23 PM
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Another urban legand is the 3000 mile oil change (which to begin with was based on dino oil and not synthetic). GM spent a lot of time and money designing the oil life monitoring system. It does a very accurate job and I would trust it over anything else.
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 04:04 PM
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I changed my oil the first time at 1200 miles. After that it gets changed at 3,000 or twice a year. Do what you want. I would not buy a used Vette or any car if it had real long oil change intervals. ( If I knew)
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Rattler71
I just bought a new Z06 Sunday, what is the forum's opinion on how long to leave in the original oil? Is the original oil any different from normal Mobil1 5w-30?

Scott
congrats....
here is what i did, am doing, & will do....no matter what others say.....

1. 500 miles
2. 2500 miles
3. 5500 miles....every 3000 miles....

i spend & will spend most of my incomes into her (?), and need extra insurance for sure....
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 05:17 PM
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I've said this like a thousand times and it has been confirmed with oil analysis numerous times over. The oil is fine beyond 3000 miles. Early oil changes don't provide cheap insurance for your engine, only a waste of good oil and money. I could see changing the oil filter every 3000 miles but, not the oil.

The 3000 mile oil change theory is a thing of the past because of today's newer oil technology and engines. I have never ever seen or heard of a documented engine oil related failure by following the manufactures service schedule. Nor any proof your engine will last longer by doing 3000 mile oil changes.

Technoloy improves yet myths continue!
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 05:50 PM
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I appreciate everyones opinion on this. I went by the computer on my coupe I had, was just curious about the first oil change on the Z.

THanks

Scott
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 07:20 PM
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Personally, whenever I run the car hard (autocross or road track) I am going to change the oil no matter how many miles the oil had. Just regular driving would be about 3k miles. On my first couple of oil changes with MY NEW motor, I havent broken 100 miles yet, but I am going to change it soon, maybe 200-500 miles. Then probably 1000, 1500, and then 3000.

JMHO.
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 08:09 PM
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Rattler

I just changed the oil on my 04 coupe at 1752 miles for the first change. Everything looked good, but a bit darker than i would have thought. (First time fooling with synthetic oil. Tastes like chapstick. Pulling the filter surprised me with the way the oil came out.) Now you can hardly see the oil on the dipstick. I will sleep better tonight.
Have no fear, you can wait at least 1752 miles.
Nice new ride, too!
best from
VERYSOON
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Rattler71
I just bought a new Z06 Sunday, what is the forum's opinion on how long to leave in the original oil? Is the original oil any different from normal Mobil1 5w-30?

Scott

Hi Scott,

Congrats on the new Z... welcome to the Z06 ownership ranks.

The factory fill on the LS6 is Mobil 1 5W-30, and is the same oil you purchase at your local store. You may change the factory oil at the DIC indicated mileage or change it today. Heck, you can change the oil everyday. Just up to you how much time and money you want to spend. I've seen some oil analysis reports on slightly elevated metals from the factory oil, but nothing to be concerned about. Just follow the break-in procedure and you'll be fine for the long haul.

Personally, I have 17K miles on my Z... change the oil at 5K intervals... no oil burning issues. The DIC mileage indicates about 7K for a change, but 5K is just easier for me to remember. I like round numbers.

Enjoy your Z.
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Shylor
I've said this like a thousand times and it has been confirmed with oil analysis numerous times over. The oil is fine beyond 3000 miles. Early oil changes don't provide cheap insurance for your engine, only a waste of good oil and money. I could see changing the oil filter every 3000 miles but, not the oil.

The 3000 mile oil change theory is a thing of the past because of today's newer oil technology and engines. I have never ever seen or heard of a documented engine oil related failure by following the manufactures service schedule. Nor any proof your engine will last longer by doing 3000 mile oil changes.

Technoloy improves yet myths continue!

Common sense dictates if your car is used for racing on a regular basis, then change the oil sooner.
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 10:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Rattler71
I just bought a new Z06 Sunday, what is the forum's opinion on how long to leave in the original oil? Is the original oil any different from normal Mobil1 5w-30?

Scott
I change mine every 5000. I drive about 10000 miles a year. 52,000 miles so far, I hoping if I can resist getting a C6 that I can drive it to 150,000. We will see.
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Old Aug 26, 2004 | 12:01 AM
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I waited until 2700 miles for the first change (Dealer recommended 3000 for first change) and now change the oil once per year (about 5500 miles). In other words, follow the D.I.C. or change the oil once per year at a minimum. There is really nothing special about the first oil change - I just got antsy to check out the underbody of the car for the first time!
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