OzarkCorvetteGuy

I'm in Arkansas, so this is my DD except in bad wx, don't live on dusty roads, no track days, not a hor rodder, I use Mobil 1, full synthetic and in past cars changed oil and filter every 5 k interval. Same with C7?

mpuzach

The C7 doesn't have a fixed interval. It uses an algorithm that takes multiple factors into account e.g. miles, time, length of drives to determine when the oil needs changing. There's an "Oil Life Remaining" indicator in the instrument cluster that starts at 100% and gradually works its way down. I usually change mine once the remaining life dips below 20%.

Chevy Cust Svc

Hi OzarkCorvetteGuy,

I believe this is the recommended interval, but I'd be happy to contact your local GM dealership for confirmation.

If this is something you'd like me to do, please send me your full contact info, VIN, current mileage, and dealership name.

Have a great night,

Corey K.
Chevrolet Customer Care

mpuzach

Chevy Cust Svc, did you by chance read post # 2?

OzarkCorvetteGuy

Yes I'm familiar with the way Chevy counts down, my Tahoe and Camaro SS both did that and usually hit 20% when I had gone about 7,500 miles. I wasn't real comfortable with 7,500 miles between oil changes even though I was using Mobil 1 so I did it at 5k which was an easy number to remember. I was curious if others here in the forum used different methods. If the old Chevy method of letting the car tell you is the common way that's an easy answer but one that I choose to do at least a little more frequent. I've gotten away from last generations every 3k but longer than 5k on a performance car is going to be difficult for me.

Steve_R

As mpuzach said just go by the oil life monitor, not some old time/miles interval. The answer from Chevy Customer Service is wrong.

mpuzach

I've always believed that the engineers who designed the engine and the ones at Mobil know better than anyone else when to change the oil.

Chevy Cust Svc

My apologies for any miscommunication. As I'm not a trained technician, I am unable to advise on my end. However, as mentioned, I can reach out to your local dealership for clarification if you are still in need of information.

Best,

Corey K.
Chevrolet Customer Care

Steve_R

Corey, not to be disrespectful, but the answer is in the Owner's Manual. There's no reason to ask someone at a dealer.

owc6

Use the OLM.

In prior gens, one would have to put the caveat "or change once a year", but as been said the C7 uses calendar time in their algorithm, so we can quit saying it.

SpeedUp

i usually change it when the oil life says 50%

JerryU

Those old "Rule of Thumb" are just that - old! We've had a poster that worked with the GM engineers who developed the algorithms that use depletion of specific ingredients in the oil and many other parameters. In addition to miles driven it integrates time, how hot the oil gets after each start (short tips are much worse than long trips between starts,) number of starts and stops etc. He indicated it is on the conservative side and folks report it indicates to change at 7500 miles more than the 5000 you indicate. However if you just drive to the store 3 to 4 miles each way and the oil doesn't get up to temperature it could recommend less. If you put few miles on the Vette it will still indicate a change is needed after a year. That max one year was in the Owner's Manual for the C6 (and many other cars) but you had to monitor time yourself. Now it is integrated into the algorithm. Changing oil more frequently is a waste of money and resources, IMO.

bobby777

Hey Corey--would you suggest to have all chevy dealerships give a jar of vasoline with any service work! Its what the dealers do to us but it would ease the pain-

ZMan64

OP, I agree, old habits (especially ones so ingrained as the old 3k mile rule) are tough to break, but the other posters are correct. The OLM is reliable, and changing oil at 5k miles without an indication to do so is a waste of time/money. Ain't progress great?!

JoesC5

I believe that GM says to change annually, even if the oil life remaining % is high on the DIC.

I change mine every fall, before it's put away for the winter, whether the oil life remaining is 60% or 20%.

Then, when Spring rolls around, I'm ready to go, for another driving season of fun.

obxchartercaptain

I have put less than 3000 miles and 4 mo's since my last oil change and I'm at 29% .... Use the OLM.

Steve_R

That's impossible. If you change the oil and park it for a year the OLM will tell you it needs to be changed.

rmorin1249

Exactly right.

JoesC5

Read my posting again. This time take the time to digest it completely.

From my GM owners manual for my 2009 Corvette.

"Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer that indicates when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change is indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, the system must be reset every time the oil is changed.
Z06 and ZR1 models have a racetrack-ready dry sump engine lubrication system. This high-performance system operates differently than a standard engine lubrication system and requires a special procedure when changing the engine oil and filter. See Engine Oil on page 5-19.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes on. Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if driving under the best conditions, the oil life system might not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer has trained service people who will perform this work using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also important to check the oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed"

And if you have a 2017, it's still the same requirement.

"Engine Oil Change When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message displays, have the engine oil and filter changed within the next 1000km/600mi. If driven under the best conditions, the engine oil life system may not indicate the need for vehicle service for up to a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and the oil life system must be reset. Your trained dealer technician can perform this work. If the engine oil life system is reset accidentally, service the vehicle within 5000km/3,000mi since the last service. Reset the oil life system when the oil is changed. See Engine Oil Life System 0 235."

Boiler_81

Read what was posted above. The C7 system has time factored into the algorithm. At the one year mark it will indicate 0% life regardless of mileage.