How many miles do you go before changing oil?

I gather using Mobil one is best?

Do any of you utilize the computer in the car that reads out % remaining and change when it gets to zero?

Any other tips? I will have it done at West Coast Corvettes or a dealer I guess (Or)?

Thanks!

 

Not quite, but their marketing department has done a great job making (almost) everyone believe that.

 

I use the recommended Mobil 1 5W-30 oil and change it when the DIC reads about 50%.

I change it myself and purchase UPF44 filters from Gene at Fred Beans parts (I have a 2006).

 

Since I'll only put about 8K on mine this year, I'll probably change at one year or 8K, whichever comes first. The DIC is showing about 70% left at 2900 miles.

 

Every 6,617 miles is the absolute best time to change the oil if you live up north. In the south, because it is hotter, it needs to be changed every 4,877 miles.

 

We had this discussion a few weeks ago.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1486746

 

Seems if the computer says 70% left at 2900 miles then the computer will log almost 10,000 before it says change oil? Seems like a lot.

 

That's rich!!

I put 4878 on it this summer. The engine fell out...

 

Keep in mind though that the manual recommends changing the oil when the computer read out tells you to or every 12 months, whichever comes first. Also, theoretically, synthetic oil probably doesn't break down a whole lot like organic oils do. Its the filter thats the weak link. The Mobil 1 should be good for 15K+ miles.

 

Every 3000 miles for me.

 

Old habits die hard. I wonder if guys on some Glock forum ask the question: "How often do you clean your pistol?"

 

synthetic oils never break down unless the temp gets high enough to boil!
amsoil is good, mobile 1 is good. the problem is that it gets dirty because there aren't any proper filtration systems readily available. you need an ultra fine filter to strain out the contamination. there are systems from amsoil but are very costly! and they WORK! so if the oil looks black change it. if it doesn't, change it at 0% or once a year just to ease your mind.
we've been changing oil in cars for over 100 yrs at 3000 miles. oils have greatly improved but man can't deal with changes
fred

 

The notion of every 3000 miles with synthetic oils is just a waste of money, but, it is YOUR money to waste. Live an let live.

 

This is my practice as well though I know I can go much longer between changes. I won't argue with anyone who follows the DIC with the quality synthetics available. Old habit, yes, and I love to tinker.

 

I'd think you could safely run the oil longer in warmer climates than in colder. Cold weather creates a lot more condensation in the crankcase during cold start ups... and that condensation is deposited into the oil if the car does not get fully warmed up, etc.

I think I even read somewhere that the C6's computer takes cold weather starts into account when determining oil life... and the colder it is, the shorter the oil life. Don't quote me on that though because I can't remember where I read it. But it makes sense.

50% of the DIC is a good general rule of thumb regardless of temperatures.

I went on a long distance trip this summer... changed oil right before I left... went about 6,700 miles in three weeks... at that point the oil life monitor said I had 52% left on the oil. If I had kept driving in the same manner / weather, the DIC would want me to change the oil at 13,400 miles! That's just too many miles to put on any oil (due to deposit build up, etc), and WAY too many miles for the filter.

I of course changed the oil at 6,700 miles when I returned and decided that the 50% rule is a pretty good one... or maybe even a little sooner. With more stop and go driving, 50% will come at less miles than 6,700... but probably not less than 4,000 I don't think.

While I trust the oil quality and durablity, I do not trust the filter as much... so I'd rather not try to be a hero and wait until the DIC says 2% to change the oil .

 

Haven't you noticed that your car always runs better right after you change the oil?

 

I had mine changed at about 2,800 and the computer said 70% oil life remaining.

 

As you have seen, everyone does something different. Personally, I have settled on 7500 miles or once a year, whichever comes first. This is based on using a quality synthetice (I use GC or Amsoil) and a quality filter (no frams). I have been using synthetics in my cars for over 20 years and have followed this regime all that time. Not one oil related problem in any car in all that time.

Good luck deciding.

 

And always remember, NEVER let any proven objective data or years of extensive research encumber your decision making process.

 

Every 5k with AMSOIL 5W30.