How often to change the oil in a C7 "Z", mostly city driving?
09-07-2016, 09:23 PM
#1
How often to change the oil in a C7 "Z", mostly city driving?
only 11 months old, had my 500 mile oil change then stored it last winter. since then, have put 2200 miles of mostly city driving to work and back. the oil "computer" says I have 12% remaining oil life. probably at the 3k point it thinks I should change oil. what do you all think is a good schedule to follow?
Popular Reply
09-08-2016, 12:36 AM
Race Director
I find it both interesting and amusing that some owners think they know more than the engineers who designed the car.
09-07-2016, 09:26 PM
#2
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Change it when the OLM tells you to. I do it when mine gets below 10%.
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09-07-2016, 11:10 PM
#5
Racer
Good advice.
09-07-2016, 11:12 PM
#6
All of the above is correct.
09-07-2016, 11:14 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
3000 miles. I don't care what the owners manual says. I have changed oil at 3000 miles in every vehicle I have ever owned.
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09-08-2016, 07:40 AM
#9
Race Director
Today's oils..follow the Ow ears manual.
09-08-2016, 08:39 AM
#13
I just found it confusing that the owners manual stresses the 500 mile oil change but after that it says in the book 7500 miles. however, the "fine print" states that Z51 and Z06 follow the OLM suggestions.
09-08-2016, 05:00 PM
#14
Race Director
An oil change after the first 500 miles is required on all dry sump C7s (Z51, Grand Sport, and Z06). There's a reason for it but quite honestly I'm not able to explain it intellegently. After that oil change, the "Oil Remaining Life" indicator should be reset and then used to determine when subsequent oil changes should take place.
09-08-2016, 05:13 PM
#15
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2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
If you change the oil right now and reset the DIC, store the car for 11 months and 29 days, when you get in and start the car you will have 0% left (or close to it).
Time, rpms, temperature, miles, tons of stuff are in the DIC's decision to say "Change oil". Follow the DIC!
I'm not usually at 7500 for a 12 month time frame so I usually change oil once a year but I'd do it sooner if the DIC got below 10%.
Elmer
Time, rpms, temperature, miles, tons of stuff are in the DIC's decision to say "Change oil". Follow the DIC!
I'm not usually at 7500 for a 12 month time frame so I usually change oil once a year but I'd do it sooner if the DIC got below 10%.
Elmer
09-08-2016, 05:16 PM
#16
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An oil change after the first 500 miles is required on all dry sump C7s (Z51, Grand Sport, and Z06). There's a reason for it but quite honestly I'm not able to explain it intellegently. After that oil change, the "Oil Remaining Life" indicator should be reset and then used to determine when subsequent oil changes should take place.
Has to do with the oil breaking down in the "Foaming" ability due to interaction with the gasket material used to seal the engine. After 500 miles, the interaction has ended and an oil change flushes the crap out and then the oil stays healthy and doesn't foam and get into the intake system.
Elmer
09-08-2016, 08:12 PM
#18
There is no argument that motor oil has improved greatly from back in the day with use of blends and full synthetics over dino. Todays engines demand high quality oil due to higher operating temps. OK we get that. I think following the oil life monitor makes sense and after all that is what chevy recommends. That said FWIW I change oil and filter once a year whether the oil life monitor recommends that change interval or not. I paid 60+K for my Corvette and after a year in the car the oil has had a work out. The cost of fresh oil is not a big deal for the protection it provides and the piece of mind that comes with it. I also use top tier gas, carry increased ins. coverage and get an annual physical whether someone else thinks it's needed or not.
Last edited by Nice Ride; 09-08-2016 at 08:14 PM.
09-08-2016, 09:16 PM
#19
Nice Ride, your car will say 0% at one year, even if you drive 0 miles. This is new from the C6 which didn't take calendar time into consideration.
lisa
lisa
