Buying 2014Z - Concerned about last oil change
04-21-2018, 08:57 AM
#22
Hmm, because you'all can't see a need to change at least once per year, GM engineers (and many others do!)
I change the oil in my Street Rod each year with very few miles! All 5 Vettes I have owned (first 1988) have said "Change oil at XXX miles, when the OLM says OR ONE YEAR WHICH EVER COMES FIRST! The instructions for the 502 cid Chevy crate engine in my Street Rod say the same!
Every time you start the engine those cold pistons and rich starting air/fuel mixture cause combustion products to enter the oil. The main combustion product is water. It forms acids and other "stuff" that are harmful. In fact the worse thing for a car with low mileage is starting it, then driving a short distance were the oil doesn't get hot long enough to evaporate some of that water! In fact with the Street Rod I try not to just pull in out of the garage to get a ladder etc than pull it right back. I have a 25 miles loop I drive to get the oil hot (and have fun.)
The OLM now takes into account starts, oil getting sufficiently hot after a start and will reduce the time to change if most "miles" are just short trips. In fact it uses engine revolutions not miles! Miles driven on the highway are much better for the engine that the same number making short trips!
Your cars do as you wish!
I change the oil in my Street Rod each year with very few miles! All 5 Vettes I have owned (first 1988) have said "Change oil at XXX miles, when the OLM says OR ONE YEAR WHICH EVER COMES FIRST! The instructions for the 502 cid Chevy crate engine in my Street Rod say the same!
Every time you start the engine those cold pistons and rich starting air/fuel mixture cause combustion products to enter the oil. The main combustion product is water. It forms acids and other "stuff" that are harmful. In fact the worse thing for a car with low mileage is starting it, then driving a short distance were the oil doesn't get hot long enough to evaporate some of that water! In fact with the Street Rod I try not to just pull in out of the garage to get a ladder etc than pull it right back. I have a 25 miles loop I drive to get the oil hot (and have fun.)
The OLM now takes into account starts, oil getting sufficiently hot after a start and will reduce the time to change if most "miles" are just short trips. In fact it uses engine revolutions not miles! Miles driven on the highway are much better for the engine that the same number making short trips!
Your cars do as you wish!
04-21-2018, 09:12 AM
#23
Race Director
You can’t always go by Carfax. The two local Chevy dealers I use do not report to them at all so my C6 only shows 1 oil change and no service visits in 65 k miles.
04-21-2018, 09:25 AM
#25
Race Director
My 1965 Corvair with 15,000 miles, I changed the oil two years ago after thirty years and 1,000 miles of operation. The oil still looked like new. I also have a 1961 Oldsmobile, currently the oil has been in the engine about twenty years. These cars are stored inside and when they are operated the engines are always shut down hot. Changing oil every year is really not necessary. Just do not start and stop the engine cold. This allows the formation of water and acids that will damage the engine over time.
04-21-2018, 09:25 AM
#26
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
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Off to a car show with my street rod, no time to post what folks who are oil experts say!
As indicated, do as you wish! When I start that 502 BB this morning I know it will run great!
PS: GM does not get paid by the oil companies to say change once per year! But many "think" they know more than those GM engineers!
As indicated, do as you wish! When I start that 502 BB this morning I know it will run great!
PS: GM does not get paid by the oil companies to say change once per year! But many "think" they know more than those GM engineers!
04-21-2018, 09:36 AM
#27
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Actually, this could be a deal breaker for the person who thinks it has had only 1 oil change in a 4 year old car, if that is one of their criteria to judge a car by. But I agree with most starting with dvilin that's it's probably ok. I'd rather get a used car with a written history of maintenance but as said on here, that's not always possible.
Still, there is instruction by GM for once a year oil changes. And our own former oil co. expert LDB would agree with the once a year directive which could be extended in some cases. (Older cars from back in the day, are a different story IMO.)
I'd probably go for the car if that was the only issue (and knowing I probably wouldn't be keeping the car for as long as Larry/car does).
Still, there is instruction by GM for once a year oil changes. And our own former oil co. expert LDB would agree with the once a year directive which could be extended in some cases. (Older cars from back in the day, are a different story IMO.)
I'd probably go for the car if that was the only issue (and knowing I probably wouldn't be keeping the car for as long as Larry/car does).
Last edited by AORoads; 04-21-2018 at 09:37 AM.
04-21-2018, 04:02 PM
#28
Race Director
Actually, this could be a deal breaker for the person who thinks it has had only 1 oil change in a 4 year old car, if that is one of their criteria to judge a car by. But I agree with most starting with dvilin that's it's probably ok. I'd rather get a used car with a written history of maintenance but as said on here, that's not always possible.
Still, there is instruction by GM for once a year oil changes. And our own former oil co. expert LDB would agree with the once a year directive which could be extended in some cases. (Older cars from back in the day, are a different story IMO.)
I'd probably go for the car if that was the only issue (and knowing I probably wouldn't be keeping the car for as long as Larry/car does).
Still, there is instruction by GM for once a year oil changes. And our own former oil co. expert LDB would agree with the once a year directive which could be extended in some cases. (Older cars from back in the day, are a different story IMO.)
I'd probably go for the car if that was the only issue (and knowing I probably wouldn't be keeping the car for as long as Larry/car does).
Last edited by Larry/car; 04-21-2018 at 04:02 PM.
