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So I think I read somewhere about a month ago where GM changed their recommendation on what type of oil to run but I can't seem to find that again. I've got a '14 - Z51 and to save a bunch of yammering on about which brand of oil is best (I've been on many car and motorcycle forums before and know how passionate people are about their chose brand of oil.) I'll just say that I'm planning on using Mobil 1 full synthetic and a GM PF64 filter. I really just need the type of Mobil 1 that I need. The car is new to me but it's always had Mobil 1 in it.
Yep - I already know about the double drain plugs and according to online GM manual I was reading yesterday - 9.8qt's of oil. Also know that the car needs to be at least 175 or above before checking the dipstick.
There is a newer 0w40 Dexos Mobil 1 oil that works for both street and track applications. It costs more than the 5w30. If your not tracking you can stick with the latter
There is a newer 0w40 Dexos Mobil 1 oil that works for both street and track applications. It costs more than the 5w30. If your not tracking you can stick with the latter
this is the answer, don't let other people confuse you - its that simple.
I agree with Maxpowers. If you want a few more details, there have been zillions of threads on the topic that you can search. My summary of them is that for those who don’t track their cars, there are a number of very small advantages to the 0W40 that appeal to those who must have the very best, hang the cost and availability. But for any normal Vette owner who doesn’t track, it’s a no-brainer. Stick with the 5W30 until or unless the 0W40 availability and price become competitive. Odds are that the main reason for the revised recommendation is to get GM out of the embarrassing position of saying you need to change oil from 5W30 to 15W50 when you go to the track, and then back to 5W30 when you return from the track. High corporate mucky mucks do not like that kind of embarrassing recommendation.
As others say, 5w-30 will work fine. Personally, I prefer 0w-40 for the improved 'cold start' protection as my GS will sit for weeks or even months over the winter however I will take it out on a clear-cold day as weather permits.
So I will grab any little bit of extra cold start protection I can get.
I would recommend NOT re-filling with 9.8 quarts as it will put you above the dipstick top hash-mark and at risk of oil burping into intake. 9 quarts will put you right at center of the dipstick hash-marks which is the best place to be IMO.
Or check after 9 quarts and then add until top of hash-marks.
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; Jan 7, 2020 at 10:11 AM.
Excellent thread on just the facts... I went to 0w40 just because I daily drive mine and can start it at -25 degrees in the winter and 125 degrees in the summer... It has a little better cold start ability...
In the linked article, Mobile recommends 15-50 for the ZR1 on the track. In another thread I'd asked about this and the rumor is that 15-50 is definitely what you want on the track but it must be removed for street use due to potential damage to the catalytic converter. Does anybody have access to source documentation on this? I plan to follow Mobil's recommendation and run 0-40 for the street and 15-50 on the track but I'd like to know the underlying "why".
Thanks guys...I appreciate the info. I weighed the options and decided to go with the ESP 0W-40 even though I fully believe that I would be fine with the regular 5W-30. Just FYI - I found 12 quarts of the stuff on Ebay for $99 shipped which works out to like 8.33 a qt - not a horrible price. Perhaps in the coming months, we'll be able to get it in the 5qt jugs from places like WalMart.
I really appreciate ya'll chiming in and passing along your knowledge. Thank you.
In the linked article, Mobile recommends 15-50 for the ZR1 on the track. In another thread I'd asked about this and the rumor is that 15-50 is definitely what you want on the track but it must be removed for street use due to potential damage to the catalytic converter. Does anybody have access to source documentation on this? I plan to follow Mobil's recommendation and run 0-40 for the street and 15-50 on the track but I'd like to know the underlying "why".
I don’t know the detailed composition of the 15W50 so can’t comment on the issue of cats. But it is substantially thicker at startup than 5W30 or 0W40, so their concern with 15W50 on the street could well be extra wear due to thick oil during the warm up period. Normal running viscosity once warmed up is around 10 centistokes (cSt). Viscosity of the 15W50 is about 350 cSt at 70F and 700 cSt at 30F. By comparison, those numbers for the 0W40 or 5W30 are around 100 cSt at 70F and around 200 cSt at 30F.
In the linked article, Mobile recommends 15-50 for the ZR1 on the track. In another thread I'd asked about this and the rumor is that 15-50 is definitely what you want on the track but it must be removed for street use due to potential damage to the catalytic converter. Does anybody have access to source documentation on this? I plan to follow Mobil's recommendation and run 0-40 for the street and 15-50 on the track but I'd like to know the underlying "why".
The problem with 15w50 (in addition to the cold start issue with the thicker oil) is the fact that it has a higher level of sulfated ash, at 1.21%, compared to 5w30 and ESP Formula 0w40 which are both at 0.8%. That higher level of sulfated ash will cause premature wear on the catalytics as well as possibly contributing to higher levels of carbon buildup on the intake valves too. So for short use on the track it won't be a problem but I wouldn't recommend it for thousands of street miles.
The problem with 15w50 (in addition to the cold start issue with the thicker oil) is the fact that it has a higher level of sulfated ash, at 1.21%, compared to 5w30 and ESP Formula 0w40 which are both at 0.8%. That higher level of sulfated ash will cause premature wear on the catalytics as well as possibly contributing to higher levels of carbon buildup on the intake valves too. So for short use on the track it won't be a problem but I wouldn't recommend it for thousands of street miles.
I would imagine there is probably a bottom temperature where it would be better to run the 0W-40 ESP rather than the 15W-50 in the ZR1 during a track event. Even if that guess is correct, I'm not even sure Chevy knows what that temperature is. Mobil's claim regarding 15w-50: "the oil keeps flowing" at temps between -40F and 500F.
My 2017 non-Z51 Stingray coupe has had FOUR oil changes so far (in under 12.000 miles) and has taken Mobil-1 5w30 synthetic every time. I intend to keep doing the same thing (with the blue AC oil filter) with my car for the foreseeable future. My girlfriend owns a 2019 non-Z51 Stingray and is approaching 2,700 miles. I will change the oil & filter on her car soon and am going to stick with the tried and true Mobil-1 5w30 + a good AC filter.
Neither of our cars will ever see a track, so I don't see any need for the 0w40..........or at least until it comes down in price. Haha!!
If you track your Corvette, then spring for the good stuff.
I am getting ready to do my first DIY oil change on my 19 GS. I have been trying online (walmart, pep boys, autozone, o'reilly, napa, etc) for a local source for the ESP 0W - 40, but with no luck. Everyone seems to have the european version instead. I tried the link in post 4 and it doesn't even show that mobil sells 0w-40. Guess I will have to go through amazon or ebay.
I am getting ready to do my first DIY oil change on my 19 GS. I have been trying online (walmart, pep boys, autozone, o'reilly, napa, etc) for a local source for the ESP 0W - 40, but with no luck. Everyone seems to have the european version instead. I tried the link in post 4 and it doesn't even show that mobil sells 0w-40. Guess I will have to go through amazon or ebay.
My local Walmart used to carry Valvoline MST 5w40, which is also Dexos 2, for about $7 per quart. You can see if that's available. Above freezing temperatures, there's no significant difference between a 0 and 5.
If you can wait a couple weeks, Mobil usually does a rebate starting in April every year. Normally $12 rebate per 5 quarts (individual qts or 5 qt jug).
I found the new recommended oi at Speedway Motors. the price usually runs about $99.00 for 12 qts. but you can also get a package deal with the filter for about $106.00.
Ugg...another oil thread
this is the answer, don't let other people confuse you - its that simple.
