Maintenance Advice, please
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
Maintenance Advice, please
I bought a C7 Stingray, 2LT , used with 20K milesabout 6 months ago. Recnty service by way of the dealers maintenace sticker on the inside of the windshield.
For various reasons I have put a mere 800 miles on it since and am now starting to wonder about maintenance.
I had planned to do a minor service, presumably an oil change and whatever else the dealer suggests, but am wondering if that's adequate?
Is there any other matters or service I should perform earlier or more ferquently?
How long can I expect the (presumably original) tires to last?
The car is garage kept, covered and with a trickle charger used when it sirts for more than a couple days.
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
For various reasons I have put a mere 800 miles on it since and am now starting to wonder about maintenance.
I had planned to do a minor service, presumably an oil change and whatever else the dealer suggests, but am wondering if that's adequate?
Is there any other matters or service I should perform earlier or more ferquently?
How long can I expect the (presumably original) tires to last?
The car is garage kept, covered and with a trickle charger used when it sirts for more than a couple days.
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
The manual is the best source of information since it is what the warranty is based on. A dealership is likely to recommend a wallet slimming plan, but depending on mileage or years there may not be much required. Stuff like brake fluid will go bad over time so even a low mileage car will require certain fluids flushed. A Corvette is just another GM vehicle (shared drive-train) so it doesn't require anything truly special.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,923
Likes: 6,722
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Just follow the Owners Manual if you have doubts. 
And, as for "...whatever else the dealer suggests..." if you do this prepare to get soaked if you have an even moderately unscrupulous dealer! They will tell you that your car MUST have anything they can come up with to charge extra for, from nitrogen in your tires (note the percentage in the atmosphere
) to cleaning your throttle-body, to a frammus-flush for your rear-mounted wingding-dooddle. Enjoy your Vette! 
And, as for "...whatever else the dealer suggests..." if you do this prepare to get soaked if you have an even moderately unscrupulous dealer! They will tell you that your car MUST have anything they can come up with to charge extra for, from nitrogen in your tires (note the percentage in the atmosphere
) to cleaning your throttle-body, to a frammus-flush for your rear-mounted wingding-dooddle. Enjoy your Vette!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,378
Likes: 3,261
From: Hartford WI
Just follow the Owners Manual if you have doubts.
And, as for "...whatever else the dealer suggests..." if you do this prepare to get soaked if you have an even moderately unscrupulous dealer! They will tell you that your car MUST have anything they can come up with to charge extra for, from nitrogen in your tires (note the percentage in the atmosphere ) to cleaning your throttle-body, to a frammus-flush for your rear-mounted wingding-dooddle. Enjoy your Vette!
And, as for "...whatever else the dealer suggests..." if you do this prepare to get soaked if you have an even moderately unscrupulous dealer! They will tell you that your car MUST have anything they can come up with to charge extra for, from nitrogen in your tires (note the percentage in the atmosphere
) to cleaning your throttle-body, to a frammus-flush for your rear-mounted wingding-dooddle. Enjoy your Vette! Corvette Stories
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,350
Likes: 538
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
You do not state the year but your 20K mile car only needs yearly oil changes.
If your car has a manual transmission I would also dilute the clutch fluid (Ranger method) with new at each oil change.
Other than that you are good to go.
If your car has a manual transmission I would also dilute the clutch fluid (Ranger method) with new at each oil change.
Other than that you are good to go.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 119
Likes: 119
From: DFW Texas
Not long ago I bought a 2016 with only 6300 miles. The GM report basically just showed regular oil changes.
I just hit 13k miles so changed the engine oil and the diff oil. Both aren't difficult. Engine oil isn't cheap, but diff oil isn't bad. I also went ahead and changed the cabin filter and engine air filter. Both air filters seemed pretty clean.
Next weekend I'm planning to go ahead and flush the brake fluid and coolant. To my knowledge, neither has been done. Both of those degrade over time regardless of miles. In addition, they are cheap and relatively easy to do. Each will cost me less than $30 or so. That's cheap insurance.
In regard to your tires, check the build date on them. Mine is still on the originals from 2016 and are fine on tread life, but it is recommended to replace them after 6 or 7 years. I'll replace mine at the end of the summer before I hit my Fall "travel" season.
Good luck and enjoy!
I just hit 13k miles so changed the engine oil and the diff oil. Both aren't difficult. Engine oil isn't cheap, but diff oil isn't bad. I also went ahead and changed the cabin filter and engine air filter. Both air filters seemed pretty clean.
Next weekend I'm planning to go ahead and flush the brake fluid and coolant. To my knowledge, neither has been done. Both of those degrade over time regardless of miles. In addition, they are cheap and relatively easy to do. Each will cost me less than $30 or so. That's cheap insurance.
In regard to your tires, check the build date on them. Mine is still on the originals from 2016 and are fine on tread life, but it is recommended to replace them after 6 or 7 years. I'll replace mine at the end of the summer before I hit my Fall "travel" season.
Good luck and enjoy!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
Thank you! That's about the best advice I received thus far and makes sense to me. I was working under the notion that I would have the dealer do a minor service (oil change, inspection and fix any minor issues. Might replace other fluids as well as I assume they are original (I think the dealer from whom I bought the car may have some information on that) I'm contemplating at least one road trip of maybe 500-800 miles this summer plus some some fun in the sun until late Fall.
I may sell it after that. It's just not getting enough use and I'm getting to the point where I'm finding it harder to get in and out of the car and I certainly don't need the full-blown "Sports Car" that the C7 - 2LT provides. I am hoping I won't lose too much money. Wish I had never sold my 2007 C6 base - now that was a great road-trip car. The C7 is a bit too much a "true" Sports Car" with all the performance, ride characteristics, small cockpit, etc.that implies. I can't imagine what a ZO6 might be like.
Thanks again 👍
I may sell it after that. It's just not getting enough use and I'm getting to the point where I'm finding it harder to get in and out of the car and I certainly don't need the full-blown "Sports Car" that the C7 - 2LT provides. I am hoping I won't lose too much money. Wish I had never sold my 2007 C6 base - now that was a great road-trip car. The C7 is a bit too much a "true" Sports Car" with all the performance, ride characteristics, small cockpit, etc.that implies. I can't imagine what a ZO6 might be like.
Thanks again 👍
Last edited by last901; Feb 27, 2022 at 05:23 PM. Reason: correct spelling
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 119
Likes: 119
From: DFW Texas
I use mine in the Fall for trips to college football games. It's about 400 miles roundtrip. Also have a Mercedes and BMW. Both me and the wife enjoy this one the most for those trips. I have the magnetic suspension so can dial in just the right highway ride. Really surprised at how comfortable the seats really are for longer trips. Wife lives the full-time wifi we have in it. Only issue is cargo space (mine is the convertible). When we do longer beach trips (8 hour one way drive), we take the BMW, but only because of luggage capacity.
Enjoy yours while you have it. Maybe you'll find a happy medium that fits you just right!
Enjoy yours while you have it. Maybe you'll find a happy medium that fits you just right!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 201
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Just follow the Owners Manual if you have doubts.
And, as for "...whatever else the dealer suggests..." if you do this prepare to get soaked if you have an even moderately unscrupulous dealer! They will tell you that your car MUST have anything they can come up with to charge extra for, from nitrogen in your tires (note the percentage in the atmosphere ) to cleaning your throttle-body, to a frammus-flush for your rear-mounted wingding-dooddle. Enjoy your Vette!
And, as for "...whatever else the dealer suggests..." if you do this prepare to get soaked if you have an even moderately unscrupulous dealer! They will tell you that your car MUST have anything they can come up with to charge extra for, from nitrogen in your tires (note the percentage in the atmosphere
) to cleaning your throttle-body, to a frammus-flush for your rear-mounted wingding-dooddle. Enjoy your Vette! 
Pro
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 703
Likes: 221
From: Central TX
I bought a 16 Z51 M7 with 7k miles back in November 2021. Within the first month I changed all fluids except coolant, brakes and clutch (did the Ranger method).
I did oil, trans fluid, diff fluid, air filter and cabin air filter. I did it all myself so it did not cost me an arm and a leg for peace of mind.
All of the fluids looked good except the clutch fluid and diff. I suspect the dealer had done an oil change but I wanted to make sure it had the right oil.
I did oil, trans fluid, diff fluid, air filter and cabin air filter. I did it all myself so it did not cost me an arm and a leg for peace of mind.
All of the fluids looked good except the clutch fluid and diff. I suspect the dealer had done an oil change but I wanted to make sure it had the right oil.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,378
Likes: 3,261
From: Hartford WI
I bought a 16 Z51 M7 with 7k miles back in November 2021. Within the first month I changed all fluids except coolant, brakes and clutch (did the Ranger method).
I did oil, trans fluid, diff fluid, air filter and cabin air filter. I did it all myself so it did not cost me an arm and a leg for peace of mind.
All of the fluids looked good except the clutch fluid and diff. I suspect the dealer had done an oil change but I wanted to make sure it had the right oil.
I did oil, trans fluid, diff fluid, air filter and cabin air filter. I did it all myself so it did not cost me an arm and a leg for peace of mind.
All of the fluids looked good except the clutch fluid and diff. I suspect the dealer had done an oil change but I wanted to make sure it had the right oil.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 703
Likes: 221
From: Central TX
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,378
Likes: 3,261
From: Hartford WI
Pro
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 703
Likes: 221
From: Central TX
I just looked in my manual and it says every 3 years for brake fluid and every 5 for coolant. Guess I'll be doing those soon, afterall.
I know it's overkill given my car is garage kept and not driven a lot. But those are cheap maintenance items.
I know it's overkill given my car is garage kept and not driven a lot. But those are cheap maintenance items.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,378
Likes: 3,261
From: Hartford WI
Used or not, brake fluid is hygroscopic. I think coolant does break down after some time or mileage.