Initial Oil change
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Initial Oil change
IT is necessary to change the oil and filter after the first 500 miles? Have a 2017 corvette. Manual does not indicate a change but some owners claim it should be done. Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 1,160
From: Keswick, Virginia
If you have the DRY SUMP oil system (Z-51/Z06/Grand Sport), then you are supposed to have the first oil change done at 500 miles.
If you do NOT have the dry sump, then that is not necessary.
2017 Corvette 2LT Stingray -- Does NOT have a dry sump. :-)
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,932
Likes: 12,345
From: NE South Carolina
They also say it does no long term harm but in a dry sump the foam MAY burp out with the air that comes from the dry sump tank to the air intake tube. Then it can run down, soak the air cleaner and drip on the floor! In a WET sump, no burped air no dripping!
Last edited by JerryU; May 13, 2017 at 11:04 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,982
Likes: 1,039
From: Georgetown CA
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
So this has been mentioned before... Those same curing seals exist in a non-dry sump motor, right? The motor itself is not really different, it is just the oil system, unless there are some seals that are unique to the dry sump? I haven't seen that explained very well anywhere.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,932
Likes: 12,345
From: NE South Carolina
^^^
Yep probably the same pan to bock seals etc. That GM bulletin clearly said the foam does not effect the engine longevity. Believe the issue is none dry sumps don't burp the foam into the air intake tube! They don't have air to burp!
My Speculation:
Since I got my September 2013 built Z51 13 months before that GM bulletin and therefore did not change my oil until ~1500 miles and then only because I wanted to. In fact at that time, dealers were NOT providing the free oil changes unless the OLM sad 20% or less. (I do all my own changes-just did the 500 mile change on my Grand Sport yesterday!)
I was curious as to why the issue. Did some research and it turns out oil foaming is a problem in high speed pumps. What better place to get foam other than the oil/air scavenge pump! To get all the oil out of the pan you have to pump a lot of air! That is what burps to the air intake. Therefore a mixture of air and oil is passing through the pump all the time.
That burped air can always include some oil vapor and EPA would never allow it to vent to the air! Perhaps that is an issue but the bulletin does not mention that. Probably more than most folks want to know!
By the way, when I installed my low restriction air system, tube and filter I looked very carefully for even a drop of oil. None found! After 800-1000 miles I was hitting near redline periodically but not sustained.
Yep probably the same pan to bock seals etc. That GM bulletin clearly said the foam does not effect the engine longevity. Believe the issue is none dry sumps don't burp the foam into the air intake tube! They don't have air to burp!
My Speculation:
Since I got my September 2013 built Z51 13 months before that GM bulletin and therefore did not change my oil until ~1500 miles and then only because I wanted to. In fact at that time, dealers were NOT providing the free oil changes unless the OLM sad 20% or less. (I do all my own changes-just did the 500 mile change on my Grand Sport yesterday!)
I was curious as to why the issue. Did some research and it turns out oil foaming is a problem in high speed pumps. What better place to get foam other than the oil/air scavenge pump! To get all the oil out of the pan you have to pump a lot of air! That is what burps to the air intake. Therefore a mixture of air and oil is passing through the pump all the time.
That burped air can always include some oil vapor and EPA would never allow it to vent to the air! Perhaps that is an issue but the bulletin does not mention that. Probably more than most folks want to know!
By the way, when I installed my low restriction air system, tube and filter I looked very carefully for even a drop of oil. None found! After 800-1000 miles I was hitting near redline periodically but not sustained.
Last edited by JerryU; May 13, 2017 at 02:33 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 29,937
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Cruise-In 1-2-3-4-5 Veteran
I hit 815 miles on the drive home in my GS; then wasn't able to get to the dealer until 1100 miles. But I got it done. And, the first two oil changes are "free" at any Chevy dealership. I ensured the guys used Mobil 1 and everything was good to go.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,655
Likes: 819
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
I did my LT1 last week @ 982 miles (OLM 41%). I like to do the first change on any vehicle between 500 and 1,000 miles regardless. No, it's not necessary but it's feel good money and time spending for me personally. I will now do it every 2+- years depending on driving.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
You might want to keep the time limit to one year as per the manual, even if you don't compile many miles. If you had a catastrophic engine failure, unlikely as that may be, and GM decided to get nitpicky about maintenance they might void your warranty if you didn't follow their schedules.
Last edited by iclick; May 13, 2017 at 10:54 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 763
Likes: 45
From: Long Grove IL
The different two/three visit thing was only for pre-2017..
For 2017 models they say...
For 2017 models they say...
Originally Posted by GM
Maintenance visits must occur within two years or 24,000 miles of vehicle delivery, whichever comes first. All 2017 Corvette models are eligible for three service visits under the Chevrolet Complete Care program. Does not include air filters. See participating dealer for other restrictions and complete details.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,932
Likes: 12,345
From: NE South Carolina
You get three freebies, the first being at 500 miles. Wet sump cars only get two.
You might want to keep the time limit to one year as per the manual, even if you don't compile many miles. If you had a catastrophic engine failure, unlikely as that may be, and GM decided to get nitpicky about maintenance they might void your warranty if you didn't follow their schedules.
You might want to keep the time limit to one year as per the manual, even if you don't compile many miles. If you had a catastrophic engine failure, unlikely as that may be, and GM decided to get nitpicky about maintenance they might void your warranty if you didn't follow their schedules.
It's not just "nitpicky" IMO! It's been in all 5 of my Vette Owner's Manuals (and other cars) -charge at XXXX or one year whichever is first!There are good reasons! I do that even in my Street Rod that is just driven to local shows! Also states that in the instructions for my 8.2 Liter Chevy crate motor (and no GM doesn't have an oil company!)
The OLM in the C7 keeps track of time so even if you just drive the car a few times/week and only 2 miles to the store and back in one year it will show 0 life left! In fact those who drive very short distances and therefore put on few miles but don't get the oil up to temperature long enough to burn off engine starting blowby really do need to change the oil at least once per year!
Last edited by JerryU; May 14, 2017 at 09:06 AM.