5w30 or 0w40
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
5w30 or 0w40
Just a general oil question for anyone with a 2019 Stingray.
Since the oil recommendation changed to 0w40 for the 2019 models, does anyone still use or recommend 5w30 if only for street use? I don't track my car (at least not yet) and it just seems like that's the main advantage, so you wouldn't have to change your oil in between track events.
Since the oil recommendation changed to 0w40 for the 2019 models, does anyone still use or recommend 5w30 if only for street use? I don't track my car (at least not yet) and it just seems like that's the main advantage, so you wouldn't have to change your oil in between track events.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 686
From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
Just a general oil question for anyone with a 2019 Stingray.
Since the oil recommendation changed to 0w40 for the 2019 models, does anyone still use or recommend 5w30 if only for street use? I don't track my car (at least not yet) and it just seems like that's the main advantage, so you wouldn't have to change your oil in between track events.
Since the oil recommendation changed to 0w40 for the 2019 models, does anyone still use or recommend 5w30 if only for street use? I don't track my car (at least not yet) and it just seems like that's the main advantage, so you wouldn't have to change your oil in between track events.
Last edited by BJ67; Oct 21, 2019 at 08:09 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,871
Likes: 1,870
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
Either is OK per the Owner's Manual for street use (except ZR-1). However, the dealer should install the recommended 0W40 ESP Dexos2 Mobil 1 for your free oil changes.
From the 2019 manual:
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 0W-40 viscosity grade
engine oil.
When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, it is
recommended to select an oil of the
correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
For the LT1 and LT4 engines only,
if 0W-40 dexos2 oil is not available,
SAE 5W-30 dexos1 full synthetic
engine oil may be used for
street use.
From the 2019 manual:
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 0W-40 viscosity grade
engine oil.
When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, it is
recommended to select an oil of the
correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
For the LT1 and LT4 engines only,
if 0W-40 dexos2 oil is not available,
SAE 5W-30 dexos1 full synthetic
engine oil may be used for
street use.
Last edited by RonC7; Oct 21, 2019 at 08:10 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,974
Likes: 6,773
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
5W-30 here from the get go; my driving offers no reason to change. And, I wasn't about to let the dealer's who-knows-from-where, lowest-echelon worker change my oil, freebee or not. 
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
Just a general oil question for anyone with a 2019 Stingray.
Since the oil recommendation changed to 0w40 for the 2019 models, does anyone still use or recommend 5w30 if only for street use? I don't track my car (at least not yet) and it just seems like that's the main advantage, so you wouldn't have to change your oil in between track events.
Since the oil recommendation changed to 0w40 for the 2019 models, does anyone still use or recommend 5w30 if only for street use? I don't track my car (at least not yet) and it just seems like that's the main advantage, so you wouldn't have to change your oil in between track events.
I have a 2017 GS and elected to change to 0w-40 for the better cold start protection as I will go weeks or months in the winter without starting.
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Pittsburgh
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Use what the owners manual tells you to use, you can't go wrong
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 8
Likes: 11
From: Port St Lucie, FL
I love the line "specifically developed for the Corvette", in the column that says Why Now... I had a 2014 Mercedes that was factory fill with 0w-40 ESP, and required by Mercedes for my extended warranty. Marketing is everything. That said, in 180,000 miles I had no problems at all while using the Mobile 1 ESP. Hopefully the Vette will treat me as well.
Bob
Bob
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 802
Likes: 248
From: Vero Beach Florida
For me, I believe it also depends on where you live. For example I am in south central Florida and want the 0W-40 because IMHO, a thicker 40W oil is better for hot ambient environments and higher engine temperatures because oil thins out as engine temperatures go up. If I lived in a really cold area, I would want the 0W for the better flow at startup where most engine wear takes place. However if I lived in more mild year around climes, I would go with the 5W-30 because it is a lot cheaper (and will probably stay that way) and it is a good compromise.
However the above is a gross simplification. The chemical composition of the new 0W-40 was reported to be an engineering effort between Corvette engineers and Mobil 1 engineers. In a sense the new 0W-40 was specifically designed to meet this engine and emission system requirements. Also because the 0W-40 is labeled as ESP, that makes me think that there might be some advantages to the Corvette emission system with the 0W-40; i.e. it gives greater longevity.. So to my way of thinking it is a rare opportunity to be able to use an oil that was specifically designed for your car. Since I change my oil once or twice a year at most due to low mileage, the extra cost of the oil isn't a factor that I consider.
However the above is a gross simplification. The chemical composition of the new 0W-40 was reported to be an engineering effort between Corvette engineers and Mobil 1 engineers. In a sense the new 0W-40 was specifically designed to meet this engine and emission system requirements. Also because the 0W-40 is labeled as ESP, that makes me think that there might be some advantages to the Corvette emission system with the 0W-40; i.e. it gives greater longevity.. So to my way of thinking it is a rare opportunity to be able to use an oil that was specifically designed for your car. Since I change my oil once or twice a year at most due to low mileage, the extra cost of the oil isn't a factor that I consider.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 1,116
From: Howell N.J
Rich
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,062
Likes: 9,825
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I love the line "specifically developed for the Corvette", in the column that says Why Now... I had a 2014 Mercedes that was factory fill with 0w-40 ESP, and required by Mercedes for my extended warranty. Marketing is everything. That said, in 180,000 miles I had no problems at all while using the Mobile 1 ESP. Hopefully the Vette will treat me as well.
Bob
Bob
The fact the oil was intended for a very narrow market is probably why it hasn't shown up on Walmart Shelves. I have the dealer put it in my 2015 Z06 when I bring it in for the annual oil change. I put about 5K miles per year on my car which is about 50% track mileage the difference in cost is negligible for a once a year maintenance item.
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 686
From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
GM gives you only one year to use the complimentary oil changes for 2019 cars.. My year is up in March, just had my 2nd oil change done as I will not take the car out in March here in the northeast. In 2018 GM gave I think allowed 3 oil changes and 2 years to use them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 686
From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
I love the line "specifically developed for the Corvette", in the column that says Why Now... I had a 2014 Mercedes that was factory fill with 0w-40 ESP, and required by Mercedes for my extended warranty. Marketing is everything. That said, in 180,000 miles I had no problems at all while using the Mobile 1 ESP. Hopefully the Vette will treat me as well.
Bob
Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 525
From: Lower New York
Just got my GS in August and did the first 500 mile change myself. The only time I will let a dealer touch my car if it is absolutely necessary under warranty. BTW I used the 5-30 also.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
For a street driven car either is fine. Honestly for most people the 5W-30 is likely better since its more readily available.
I run the 0W-40 because I track my car. Since I also daily my car I reach the mileage (about 7,500) before 12 months pass.
I run the 0W-40 because I track my car. Since I also daily my car I reach the mileage (about 7,500) before 12 months pass.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 802
Likes: 248
From: Vero Beach Florida
From Bob the Oil Guy site a quote from Tadge
Tadge answered:
"Yes, the new Mobil1 OW40 Dexos 2 oil (Mobil 1 ESP Formula 0W-40) is also the recommended oil for all C7's prior to 2019. This oil was specifically developed to meet all of GM's performance requirements during engine dyno testing, vehicle road testing and performance track testing including the 2014-2018 Corvettes (all models). The Multi-grade Mobil 1 ESP Formula 0W-40 synthetic motor oil has many benefits including exceptional fast oil flow at startup along with low temperature pump-ability and exceptional viscosity/performance characteristics at high-temperature and high-RPM operating conditions. We are still refining our recommendations for the LT5 in the upcoming ZR1, so they may differ."
Tadge answered:
"Yes, the new Mobil1 OW40 Dexos 2 oil (Mobil 1 ESP Formula 0W-40) is also the recommended oil for all C7's prior to 2019. This oil was specifically developed to meet all of GM's performance requirements during engine dyno testing, vehicle road testing and performance track testing including the 2014-2018 Corvettes (all models). The Multi-grade Mobil 1 ESP Formula 0W-40 synthetic motor oil has many benefits including exceptional fast oil flow at startup along with low temperature pump-ability and exceptional viscosity/performance characteristics at high-temperature and high-RPM operating conditions. We are still refining our recommendations for the LT5 in the upcoming ZR1, so they may differ."
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 230
Likes: 79
From: Plano TX
I went with the 0w-40 for cold weather start up. And a little higher upper end than 30 weight. Money is money, they gonna get it all anyway. For me personally if I wanted to save a bunch of money I would ride the bus. Only my opinion, for what it’s worth...