This is something new that started with the C7 - although since at least the C5 GM has stated oil changes need to be made at least once a year.
oil change???
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: grand rapids, lowell mi. area
oil change???
well when I put my car away in storage the oil gauge said I was at 45% when I pull it out of storage will that still say 45% ,and if so should I drive it till it time to change it ,or change the oil in the spring? thanks for the information! Bill
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Personally, I feel the 12 month oil life thing is pretty much hogwash anyway and GM would be hard pressed to deny warranty based on someone's oil being a month or two over a year.
I've stored rarely driven collector cars without changing oil for a couple years without any adverse affects. My '96 Tacoma with 414,000 trouble-free miles on it has been over a year without changing oil on several occasions without any issues.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Huntersville, North Carolina
As stated above the 'oil change clock' keeps ticking to expire in 12 months whether C7 is being driven or not. Having said that if you are currently at 45% you have almost 6 months remaining, so I wouldn't stress over it. Just change it in the spring.
Personally, I feel the 12 month oil life thing is pretty much hogwash anyway and GM would be hard pressed to deny warranty based on someone's oil being a month or two over a year.
I've stored rarely driven collector cars without changing oil for a couple years without any adverse affects. My '96 Tacoma with 414,000 trouble-free miles on it has been over a year without changing oil on several occasions without any issues.
Personally, I feel the 12 month oil life thing is pretty much hogwash anyway and GM would be hard pressed to deny warranty based on someone's oil being a month or two over a year.
I've stored rarely driven collector cars without changing oil for a couple years without any adverse affects. My '96 Tacoma with 414,000 trouble-free miles on it has been over a year without changing oil on several occasions without any issues.
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I have done this for years, but switched to after the winter a few years back because there’s a lot of moisture during that 5 months that the car sits. I don’t have a temp controlled garage, which makes it even worse.
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I change the oil when the OLM tells me to. If you don't drive the car much you'll reach the time limit and thus be changing it every 365 days. Between daily driving and track days I got to 7,500 miles before the message popped telling me it was due.
Of course you can change the oil whenever the mood strikes you... but if you want to keep your warranty in good standing with GM you'll do as the almighty OLM commands.
Of course you can change the oil whenever the mood strikes you... but if you want to keep your warranty in good standing with GM you'll do as the almighty OLM commands.