Thoughts on Maintenance...
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Thoughts on Maintenance...
Hello all...I am pretty much a newbie to this forum. I joined as I inherited my father's 2013 GS due to his untimely passing in January. This car was kept in Florida for it's entire life. I had it shipped up to Indiana. When I received it, I found the majority, if not all, of the maintenance receipts. There were times he took it to the Chvevrolet dealership, but it seems he started taking it to other dealerships and/or local mechanics for oil changes, etc. They lived in Florida from mid-September until mid-May each year, and he would always get the oil changed in late September, whether it had driven the suggested mileage or not. When I got it, he had not changed the oil...most likely due to his medical condition and just couldn't do too much. My question is...would you stick to the dealership for any reason, or would you go to a Valvoline-type oil change? I have pretty much used the Valvoline places for previous cars, and never had an issue. The car has 41K miles on it and is coming due for the 45K maintenance. Let me know your thoughts on this. Thanks in advance.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 347
From: yardley, pa 19067
I also have a 2013 GS I bought new..U should also get other things done since it is 13yrs old…Coolant change, brake fluid change and rear differential fluid change…Find a reputable shop in your area or a dealer for this stuff…
Pro
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 603
Likes: 245
From: Indiana
Greetings fellow Hoosier! I’m north of you in Kokomo. Is it auto or manual? I ask because the manuals are dry sump cars and there are a plethora of nightmare oil change stories due to the atypical procedures. Regardless, these cars are a breeze to change oil on…any reason keeping you from doing it yourself?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Greetings fellow Hoosier! I’m north of you in Kokomo. Is it auto or manual? I ask because the manuals are dry sump cars and there are a plethora of nightmare oil change stories due to the atypical procedures. Regardless, these cars are a breeze to change oil on…any reason keeping you from doing it yourself?
I appreciate that point. It is an automatic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,309
Likes: 2,211
From: San Antonio, TX
Welcome to the forum.... sorry that your dad passed away but sounds like he left you a pretty bad *** car, and hopefully into the car hobby. I have no advice on the oil changes, just wanted to welcome you.
Post some pictures of your new ride.
Enjoy the car,
Jason
Post some pictures of your new ride.
Enjoy the car,
Jason
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,592
Likes: 1,671
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
1) any GM dealer should be able to print out a VIS report that shows any repairs or maintenence done at any GM dealer.
2) Learn to work on cars. At harbor freight, you can get a basic set of tools, 2 jack stands and a floor jack for a couple hundred bucks....about 2 hours in labor you would pay to a shop.
3) Maintenance is easy and cheap on a C6. All kinds of help on here on how to do it. oil/filer change $35, trans fluid and filter $78, rear diff $30, basic brake fluid $8, coolant swap $40, 200 bucks or 800+ bucks, your choice?
4) sorry about your dad...and enjoy your car.
2) Learn to work on cars. At harbor freight, you can get a basic set of tools, 2 jack stands and a floor jack for a couple hundred bucks....about 2 hours in labor you would pay to a shop.
3) Maintenance is easy and cheap on a C6. All kinds of help on here on how to do it. oil/filer change $35, trans fluid and filter $78, rear diff $30, basic brake fluid $8, coolant swap $40, 200 bucks or 800+ bucks, your choice?
4) sorry about your dad...and enjoy your car.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 487
From: NY
Sorry for your loss.
Given that you take cars to a Valvoline instant oil change, I would guess that you can't or don't want to work on cars.
While an auto GS oil change is pretty straightforward, I would recommend a good dealer over Valvoline. Guessing your Dad would have too.
Good luck and check the tires as mentioned above.
Given that you take cars to a Valvoline instant oil change, I would guess that you can't or don't want to work on cars.
While an auto GS oil change is pretty straightforward, I would recommend a good dealer over Valvoline. Guessing your Dad would have too.
Good luck and check the tires as mentioned above.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 190
From: Austin TX
I'd take the car to a dealer before an instant oil change place. And that aint saying much. Like others have said, find a Corvette Club in your area that can recommend some places to take the car for service. You may also be able to find an independent Vette mechanic that will treat the car better than most dealers. Good luck and welcome to the Vette world. You can also try posting here to see if anyone chimes in - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/great-lakes-43/
Racer
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 498
Likes: 211
From: Wisconsin
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I agree with finding a local independent shop and doing the other fluid changes others have mentioned. Tires have also been mentioned and may be more important than you realize. Hard old tires on a high powered car with a driver who unaccustomed 430 hp can get dangerous very quickly. The great thing about this gift from your Dad is that you will think of him every time you drive it.