Oil question
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
In that case, you really won't benefit from spending the extra money over and above the normal Mobil 1 5w30.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
I drive my corvette in the winter when there is no snow or hasn't been for a while.
Should I use 0w-30 (or 40) since the car will be started in freezing temperatures? Or is the difference between 5w and 0w not that big of a deal?
Should I use 0w-30 (or 40) since the car will be started in freezing temperatures? Or is the difference between 5w and 0w not that big of a deal?
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,010
Likes: 12,395
From: NE South Carolina
IMO, I'd stick with what GM recommends, 5W-30 and unlike my normal start and go, let it warm up for a couple of minutes when it's below 40F.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
Very funny, and smacks of a lot of truth. Ever since the brouhaha a few years ago over the dealers' responses or lack of responses to how many free oil changes we received and when we could get them, I usually keep out of these discussions. Several members spent a great deal of time researching and calling GM to get good answers at that time and the resulting effect was the creation of a "Stickey" in the C7 General section under FAQ, "Mobil 1 Use Only" or something close to that by Zymurgy. It's a long, valuable piece and so worthwhile, but few bother to take a look and I understand that. If you have an opportunity, those interested can find it easily. I frequently still see the question of "free" oil changes pop up. But in a similar fashion the question of what oil to use appears just as frequently and that is why I chuckle a bit at your response. On the other hand, it's always interesting to see newer members add to the discussion just as long as they don't mind seeing avatars of a dead horse being beaten to death.
Last edited by nmerhaut; Dec 31, 2018 at 09:41 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
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From: Virginia
Now if I only drove in warm weather I would have stuck with the 5W-30.
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; Dec 31, 2018 at 11:04 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
FWIW, the cold start benefits of a 0w compared to a 5w oil really aren't apparent until it gets to extremely cold temps (below 0F) Anything above that, and the 5w will perform virtually the same.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
Hum....... Perhaps, perhaps not, either way it's worth the $50>$60 extra per year in oil cost to me. I plan on keeping this one for a while.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
Don't get me wrong, I still think the 0w40 ESP Formula is a better choice over the regular M1 5w30 and definitely worth the extra cost for people keeping their C7s a long time, but it's not because of the 0w designation, it's for it's other attributes.