Oil Life System Question
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Virginia Beach Va
Oil Life System Question
My 2014 Z51 has about 325 miles on it and I am watching the oil life monitor quickly descend. It started out at 98% but is now at 69%.
This means I would be due at around 1000 miles...I drive it normally and have not experienced this with my other Corvettes. Oil is clean and at the top of the stick. Is something malfunctioning here?
This means I would be due at around 1000 miles...I drive it normally and have not experienced this with my other Corvettes. Oil is clean and at the top of the stick. Is something malfunctioning here?
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: DFW Area TX
When was the car built? Many factors affect the oil life monitor and it seems that the C7 may include the 1 year limit based on some other observations. Short trips will definitely result in shorter oil life.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Virginia Beach Va
The car was built June 2014 and delivered in July. I picked it up 3 hours after it got off the truck. My trips have been short but I have a Z06 with 600 miles that is still over 90% and does the same driving routine.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Virginia Beach Va
Ok - so you are saying my driving style and mileage may not matter since there may be a 12 month time limit on the OLS - after 3 months = 75%, etc.
That seems to be the only thing making sense right now...dealer service manager had no info or bulletins he could find.
That seems to be the only thing making sense right now...dealer service manager had no info or bulletins he could find.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,115
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From: DFW Area TX
Correct. Per the owners manual, oil should be changed after 1 year. Others have posted here that the oil life monitor seems to use time since last change as a factor in the algorithm. Not positive, but again your situation seems to support this.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Virginia Beach Va
Ok - thanks for the heads up.
BTW, I have owned a lot of corvettes over my 66 years and I can tell you guys, this thing is bad....When I 'm in it, I am reminded of the first day I took my '57 to High School way back when.
BTW, I have owned a lot of corvettes over my 66 years and I can tell you guys, this thing is bad....When I 'm in it, I am reminded of the first day I took my '57 to High School way back when.
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Milwaukee WI
What is the temperature range where you live this time of year? As we get into the later days of fall here in Wisconsin and the temperatures are in the 30-60 degree range, my OLM is decreasing more rapidly than it did during the warmer months. The cool mornings make for longer time to achieve operating temperature with the redline on the tachometer remaining at lower RPM for a longer period of time as well. I have just over 3000 miles on the odometer with 2200 since the last oil change and the OLM is at 65%. I am about ready to change the oil one more time before storing for the winter.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 531
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From: Northford CT
My 2014 Z51 has about 325 miles on it and I am watching the oil life monitor quickly descend. It started out at 98% but is now at 69%.
This means I would be due at around 1000 miles...I drive it normally and have not experienced this with my other Corvettes. Oil is clean and at the top of the stick. Is something malfunctioning here?
This means I would be due at around 1000 miles...I drive it normally and have not experienced this with my other Corvettes. Oil is clean and at the top of the stick. Is something malfunctioning here?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
My car has only seen warm to very hot weather in central TX from June 25 till now. It sees a mix of driving, more interstate than short runs but very few runs more than 20 miles at a time. Despite this, the oil life is decreasing far faster than it does in my Pontiac G8GT which also has an LS series engine.
I loose 1% per 50 miles meaning 4000 miles max before I reach my tolerance limit, 20% life remaining. Figure it will go down even faster with the onset of cooler weather. Don
I loose 1% per 50 miles meaning 4000 miles max before I reach my tolerance limit, 20% life remaining. Figure it will go down even faster with the onset of cooler weather. Don
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Chirper Island
This does appear to be another thread that supports the theory that time is considered when figuring oil life. It seems that this is something that low mileage (per year) owners have posted, not those who drive more than 10,000/yr have found.
I also wonder if Z51 oil life is as long an non-Z51? I know on the C6s, mine was much longer on my base (wet-sump) than the Z06 (dry-sump). Usually about 50% longer on the base.
I also wonder if Z51 oil life is as long an non-Z51? I know on the C6s, mine was much longer on my base (wet-sump) than the Z06 (dry-sump). Usually about 50% longer on the base.
Last edited by owc6; Oct 26, 2014 at 10:11 PM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: Between Forest Lake and White Bear Lake in the Land of 10,000+ lakes
This does appear to be another thread that supports the theory that time is considered when figuring oil life. It seems that this is something that low mileage (per year) owners have posted, not those who drive more than 10,000/yr have found.
I also wonder if Z51 oil life is as long an non-Z51? I know on the C6s, mine was much longer on my base (wet-sump) than the Z06 (dry-sump). Usually about 50% longer on the base.
I also wonder if Z51 oil life is as long an non-Z51? I know on the C6s, mine was much longer on my base (wet-sump) than the Z06 (dry-sump). Usually about 50% longer on the base.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
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Time in service makes sense and it is time that parameter was included. Older GM vehicles with the OLM system have a note in the manual to change every 12 months regardless of reading which negated some of the utility of the system. In my GMC diesel pickup I change the oil at around the 50% OLM reading without resetting the system and again when it gets to around 10%. Last year I got an email from OnStar noting that it was due for a 12 month change since I hadn't reset the system at the 50% change.
So now it appears the reading is all inclusive and this especially makes sense for a Corvette since a lot of buyers don't treat it as a daily driver and it may spend much of the year in a garage in many parts of the country.
So now it appears the reading is all inclusive and this especially makes sense for a Corvette since a lot of buyers don't treat it as a daily driver and it may spend much of the year in a garage in many parts of the country.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 391
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From: Costa Mesa CA
Yes, oil change once a year unless it goes to 0%. I have always taken an oil sample at each oil change on my C5-Z06 and C6 ZR1 and sent it in for analysis.
So believe me if you change the oil before it close to 0% you're wasting your money. The oil is always perfect for, contaminants, trace elements, viscosity, and flash point using Mobile 1.
So believe me if you change the oil before it close to 0% you're wasting your money. The oil is always perfect for, contaminants, trace elements, viscosity, and flash point using Mobile 1.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,555
Likes: 9
From: Indiana
I don't think there can be any question about it, after numerous reports from many people and from my own experience. The oil life system definitely considers time, and even if you never drive the car it will go to 0% after a year. It might go to 0% sooner than that if you drive like a maniac (on one hand) or like a grandma (lots of short trips where the car doesn't get a chance to warm up) .. but it's not going to last longer than one year ..