First oil change
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,948
Likes: 12,362
From: NE South Carolina
Under the postulate that more wear occurs initially and the desire to add two rare earth magnet drain plugs, changed mine at 2000 miles and 6 months, about 50% on the oil monitor. Was it needed, who knows! For 99+% of engines it probably isn’t or GM would recommend it for warrantee issues if nothing else. Whatever makes you feel good!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 17
From: Maryland
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 237
Likes: 7
From: Brookeville Md
Actually you need only 9.8 quarts, but I have changed mine three times and it took a full 10 quarts and was at the proper level.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
Good Luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 54
From: slower lower DE
Seems there remains a belief that oil needs to be changed after the break in period. "Break in" oil is a thing of the past. There is no difference in the oil that's in the Vette at delivery and the oil that is to be used for the periodic oil changes. You can safely follow the manufacturer schedule or change it as many times as you like if it gives you peace of mind, like a concern that there might be residual machining debris in the engine.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,474
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
Gonna be a million answers on this one. BUT... for what it's worth. We have a local Corvette mechanic who's done nothing but for over 25 years. He is at the dealership I ordered my 2015 3LT-Z51 from. When it arrived last week I asked him specifically, "come on, what's the real deal on that first oil change"? He said, after 2,000 miles. Then once a year if less than 5,000 per year. Then 5,000 is a nice target but they can go much longer now but never more than 7,500, in his expirenced opinion. So I'm sticking with him....
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
I think this is a great rule of thumb. Today's oils are not like your dad's oil. I once saw an M3 that was leased and the Mobil 1 oil was NEVER changed in 16,000 miles. The oil had jellied, but every spec in the engine the oil touched, was still in line. The crank was cutting a shape thru the jelly in the pan.
We all change because it makes us feel better, and it's our hobby. Pick an interval within a year and use good stuff, all will be ok.....
Last edited by Glen e; Sep 10, 2014 at 10:05 AM.
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
If you do 9.8 quarts, your are going to be overfilled and burp a gush of oil into your intake plumbing.
There are many threads on this topic. 9.2 qts is closer to the correct amount. I've had first hand experience with the oil gusher due to overfilling by the dealer or GM whatever...
After the cleanup, they still put the oil level at the top of the hash marks and that is STILL TOO MUCH OIL. Maximum oil level on the Z51 is middle of the hash marks! I made them siphon it down to mid hash marks on the stick.
Oh, and about the change interval? I let my DIC be my guide.
Elmer
There are many threads on this topic. 9.2 qts is closer to the correct amount. I've had first hand experience with the oil gusher due to overfilling by the dealer or GM whatever...
After the cleanup, they still put the oil level at the top of the hash marks and that is STILL TOO MUCH OIL. Maximum oil level on the Z51 is middle of the hash marks! I made them siphon it down to mid hash marks on the stick.
Oh, and about the change interval? I let my DIC be my guide.
Elmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 840
Likes: 22
From: Dade City Florida
Unless the factory gives specifics as said prior no such thing as breakin oil any longer. Oil technology has changed over the years. My wifes new MB is 10,000 miles before first change and if you have a service contract they will not do it before that time. Now the Ferrari is totally different as they seem (sarcastically) to want to do it every 30 minutes whether you start it or not. It will be interesting when the new Z06 comes in if the interval will be the same as the C7 as the Z06 engine is hand built with different tolerances. 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,101
From: Fulshear, TX
Book. I had my first oil change performed by the dealership around 6500 miles when the oil life indicator was at 15%. I did change the factory oil filter at 1500 miles myself, but that was probably overkill.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 285
Likes: 3
From: Disney World Florida
I changed mine at 1100 miles. I felt really good after draining out that ugly looking oil and replacing with the really good stuff it should have had in the first place. This way, if I really need to do a "Starsky and Hutch" event, the StingRay will be ready!
The brand I installed is.........
The brand I installed is.........
Last edited by A Solid Rock; Sep 10, 2014 at 10:11 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I used to change at the first 1000 miles and after that at 3000 miles.
On my Stingray, I let it go to 2800 miles for the first change and will probably go to 4000 to 4500 miles after that... I am gradually thinking that 4500 to 5000 is a reasonable number with modern oils and engines.
