maintance questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 2
From: Saint Johns Florida
maintance questions
I searched and now have more questions than when I started..
Originally I was looking for a thread with info on what type of ramps, Jack, or what to use just to be able to get under the car and do my own oil changes? Every other vehicle I have, or have had was tall enough I didn't need any lift to do oil changes. Although with my 86 Trans AM it is not easy.
Along the way I see talk of lift pucks installed? Necessary or not?
And to make sure to use the right oil filter for the LS3 dry sump.
But in my manual says the GS and Z06 have dry sump? I know the Z06 is not an LS3, but the GS is, isn't it?
So does my 2011 coupe have dry sump or not? and which oil filter should I use.
Originally I was looking for a thread with info on what type of ramps, Jack, or what to use just to be able to get under the car and do my own oil changes? Every other vehicle I have, or have had was tall enough I didn't need any lift to do oil changes. Although with my 86 Trans AM it is not easy.
Along the way I see talk of lift pucks installed? Necessary or not?
And to make sure to use the right oil filter for the LS3 dry sump.
But in my manual says the GS and Z06 have dry sump? I know the Z06 is not an LS3, but the GS is, isn't it?
So does my 2011 coupe have dry sump or not? and which oil filter should I use.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,254
Likes: 5
From: Anaheim Hills, Ca
I searched and now have more questions than when I started..
Originally I was looking for a thread with info on what type of ramps, Jack, or what to use just to be able to get under the car and do my own oil changes? Every other vehicle I have, or have had was tall enough I didn't need any lift to do oil changes. Although with my 86 Trans AM it is not easy.
Along the way I see talk of lift pucks installed? Necessary or not?
And to make sure to use the right oil filter for the LS3 dry sump.
But in my manual says the GS and Z06 have dry sump? I know the Z06 is not an LS3, but the GS is, isn't it?
So does my 2011 coupe have dry sump or not? and which oil filter should I use.
Originally I was looking for a thread with info on what type of ramps, Jack, or what to use just to be able to get under the car and do my own oil changes? Every other vehicle I have, or have had was tall enough I didn't need any lift to do oil changes. Although with my 86 Trans AM it is not easy.
Along the way I see talk of lift pucks installed? Necessary or not?
And to make sure to use the right oil filter for the LS3 dry sump.
But in my manual says the GS and Z06 have dry sump? I know the Z06 is not an LS3, but the GS is, isn't it?
So does my 2011 coupe have dry sump or not? and which oil filter should I use.
The pucks are used for jacking up the car from the side so not to damage the rocker panels underneath.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 2
From: Saint Johns Florida
If your coupe is a GS with manual trans, then you have a dry sump. The LS3 is in the GS and LS7 in the Z06. There is more involved in changing the oil in a dry sump system.
The pucks are used for jacking up the car from the side so not to damage the rocker panels underneath.
The pucks are used for jacking up the car from the side so not to damage the rocker panels underneath.
I'm not sure my current floor jack will even go under the Vette at all. Not due for an oil change yet but would prefer to do my own and save the money, not to mention to make sure it is done right.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
From: Memphis tn
I was just getting ready to start a similar thread.
My 07 6MN coupe is almost ready for an oil change. Want to use Mobil1 but it seems like nobody in town offers it.
I have not changed my own oil in years. Is it worth buying all the equipment, ramps, pans, filter wrench, etc to save a few$ on each change?
Do GM dealers use Mobil1 with their oil changes?
Thanks,
Moose
My 07 6MN coupe is almost ready for an oil change. Want to use Mobil1 but it seems like nobody in town offers it.
I have not changed my own oil in years. Is it worth buying all the equipment, ramps, pans, filter wrench, etc to save a few$ on each change?
Do GM dealers use Mobil1 with their oil changes?
Thanks,
Moose
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
I have a standard floor jack and it easily fits under the side behind the front wheels. I don't have jacking pucks. There is plenty of space around the rocker panel that my jack doesn't come near it but I did use a block of wood so the metal jack pad wasn't against the frame.
Oh, and one easy way to tell if you have a dry sump or not is to see if there is a standard removable oil filler cap on the FRC. If you can twist off the oil filler cap normally then it's not a dry sump.
Oh, and one easy way to tell if you have a dry sump or not is to see if there is a standard removable oil filler cap on the FRC. If you can twist off the oil filler cap normally then it's not a dry sump.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
That said, I do my own oil changes on my Corvette. For me it's part of the hobby. DIY satisfaction. And I know it's done right.
And I don't worry that someone is using the wrong oil, seriously over- or under-filling (10 qts for dry-sump GS, 6 qts for other LS3's), installing the wrong filter, damaging the rocker panels, scrapes, scratches, stains... you name it.
Lots of related threads, like these:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ve-broken.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...hange-ls3.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...d-rockers.html
On the other hand, I never do my own oil changes on my 05 Ford Escape... I wait for dealership service specials or just take it to Jiffylube.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 18,098
Likes: 1,597
All you need is a few wooden 2x12's for ramps. That will give you just enough room to get at the drain plug and filter. I also jack the rear end up to level off the car but I don't know that it's absolutely necessary. The oil and filter can be picked up at walmart for around $35.
Attachment 47682257
Attachment 47682257
Last edited by R&L's C6; Dec 22, 2011 at 07:10 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
One problem I had was the drain plug was on so tight I didn't have enough leverage reaching in from the side to pull on the ratchet. I had to jack it up a bit more and squeeze myself under from the front so I could push on the ratchet.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 452
Likes: 6
From: Pinson AL
Just did my first change on my '11 GS A6 even though it only has 3100 miles on it and I am glad I did not wait longer as the oil was very dirty. The monitor said 70% left but I aint buyin that - it was dirty.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21,590
Likes: 1,615
From: GREER SC
yeah me too. Did mine today 3700 miles and it looked very dirty.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The color of the oil doesn't indicate the need for change. Mine goes fairly dark in the first 500 miles. I currently have 9K since the last change at 85K and the DIC still shows 45% remaining. It never gets changed before 3% and it never gets black either.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 736
Likes: 7
From: Chesapeake,VA
Everything you need to know:
http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/oilchange.html
http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6index.html
http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/oilchange.html
http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6index.html
Last edited by turbod; Oct 15, 2011 at 06:18 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 19
From: Sioux Falls South Dakota
I was just getting ready to start a similar thread.
My 07 6MN coupe is almost ready for an oil change. Want to use Mobil1 but it seems like nobody in town offers it.
I have not changed my own oil in years. Is it worth buying all the equipment, ramps, pans, filter wrench, etc to save a few$ on each change?
Do GM dealers use Mobil1 with their oil changes?
Thanks,
Moose
My 07 6MN coupe is almost ready for an oil change. Want to use Mobil1 but it seems like nobody in town offers it.
I have not changed my own oil in years. Is it worth buying all the equipment, ramps, pans, filter wrench, etc to save a few$ on each change?
Do GM dealers use Mobil1 with their oil changes?
Thanks,
Moose
Do you have a Walmart close by? They sell mobile 1. Any auto parts store will carry it as well.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 176
From: Upstate NY
I just changed my oil using a set of Race Ramps I just purchased. They are pricey but make getting under the car very easy. I was able to get my creeper under the car and move around with no trouble. I have the 67" 2-piece set that raises the car 10".
I used Mobil 1 5W-30 as specified, BTW.
I used Mobil 1 5W-30 as specified, BTW.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
From: Memphis tn
Thanks guys,
I was worried about getting the car up more than anything. Never thought about building my own ramps...
Costco has the oil on sale for $26 a case right now. Does the ls2 take more than 6 qts?
I guess I will do the skip shift at the same time!
Moose
I was worried about getting the car up more than anything. Never thought about building my own ramps...
Costco has the oil on sale for $26 a case right now. Does the ls2 take more than 6 qts?
I guess I will do the skip shift at the same time!
Moose
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 1
From: Grounded to the Ground
