Cruncher

What else would be new???

owc6

This is a quote from my OM:

"It is possible that, if driving under the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil change is not necessary for up to a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must be reset."

Cruncher

If you're not a trained Tech, then why did you provide technical info on oil change intervals...typical Chevrolet/GM bull.

JoesC5

I said that GM says to change the oil annually no matter what the oil life remaining on the DIC indicates.

That means at the end of 12 months if the DIC says the oil life remaining is 60%, you should change the oil. It also means that at the end of 12 months if the DIC says the oil life remaining is 20%, you should change the oil.

If, at the end of one year, the oil life remaining on the DIC automatically indicates 0% remaining, why is it necessary for GM to tell you(in the 2017 owners manual) to change the oil every year? Seems redundant to have the system calculate the one year requirement and then have to litter up the owners manual by stating that the owner has to change the oil every year if the DIC says the oil life remaining is 0% at the end of one year.

But, it is GM after all.

owc6

Your understanding on how the olm works and displays for the C7 is a little lacking; the C7 uses calendar time and will not read more than 0% at one year even if not driven.

VetteDrmr

As an OG (Old Guy) with a '00 C5, I've changed the oil based on the OLM. When I was autocrossing and DE'ing the car (back when I lived in TX), the OLM would indicate an oil change was needed at around 4-5K miles rather than roughly 8K miles on the highway.

I've always had my oil analyzed at Blackstone labs, and every analysis has come back with "you could go longer". This is running M1 10w-30. Autocross/track oil temps would go as high as 275, coolant around 235, although both recovered quickly on the cool-down.

She's still running strong, with little blow-by, closing in on 280K miles.

I just post this to give you more confidence in the OLM. OTOH, oil changes aren't really that expensive (especially if you do them yourself, as it gives you a good chance to look things over).

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

Steve_R

Yup. It's Joe's reading comprehension that's severely lacking. A C6 isn't a C7.

JoesC5

Then GM should state in the C7's owners manual to change the oil once it's down to 0% and not say anything about changing the oil annually.
KISS principle.

owc6

Now we're just getting silly. The warning stickers on the visors say you should stick your kids in the back, but we know thats just lawyer speak.

ZMan64

I hope you're just being sarcastic.

JerryU

This has been a point of contention with those who store their car. If you changed oil just before storing for 6 months, when starting the OLM will show only 50% oil life left!

JoesC5

For my education; are you saying that if you change the oil, reset the DIC not drive the car and then start the car 365 days later, it will read 0% oil life remaining.

owc6

Yes.

Steve_R

On the C7, yes.

JerryU

As others have already answered-yep!

Not as crazy as it sounds, I do that for my Street Rod that mostly goes to car shows and travels very few miles per year. That 8.2 Liter engine has 4.5 inch diameter forged aluminum pistons. They expand (contract) more than the cast pistion used in most cars, even the C7. When it's started there is a lot of clearance between the pistons and cylinder walls. Sounds like a sewing machine for a few minutes as the piston skirts rock in the cylinders. Lots of blow-by past the pistons. Even though I seldom start the engine and not drive for 15 to 20 miles to get the engine oil hot, there is still combustion products, including water in the oil.

Also in our humid SC there is moisture condensing in the engine as temperatures change from day to night. Cheap insurance to change the oil once/year.

Vetteman Jack

Follow what the owner's manual states.

Kingtal0n

One thing to remember: you can't change it too often.

Glen e

Of course you can....... at a MINIMUM, changing oil on anything less than 4000 -5000 miles is a completely waste of money, and a waste on the environment. Oils these days can go 15,000 miles, even longer .....check out some of the Blackstone reports to come back from initial oil changes. Virtually Every one of them say you could go at least 8 to 12… Oils are not the same as they used to be , and what we grew up with.

joemessman

Drive-C7

Interesting article about a very detailed test of engine oil under every day and severe conditions.

http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/tech-t...otor-oils.html