2016 z06
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
2016 z06
Just changed oil and filter for first time after buying car last year. Used mobile 1 ESP 5-30 dexos approved. Owners manual and this website says oil capacity is 7 quarts for z06. Poured in about 6.75 quarts. Warmed it up, drove it around, shut off, waited 5 minutes. The reading shows very low, about 1 inch below the cross hatch area in the dipstick. I’m hesitant to add any more and over fill.
Any ideas why the reading shows low? Thanks
Any ideas why the reading shows low? Thanks
Racer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 480
Likes: 219
This is the C8 section of the forum and you would probably get better responses in the C7 section. But I know some of the C7s had a dry sump oil pump and I believe you have to check the oil with the car running. Could be wrong but I know it’s a different process then just turning the car off and waiting a few minutes.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10,465
Likes: 1,755
From: North Texas
Oil capacity on C7 Z is closer to 10 quarts. However, most of the time not all of the oil is drained from the system during the change. I would add half a quart and recheck the level. Run it again and recheck after 5 minutes. Continue until you are where you need to be on the dipstick. May not be super efficient time wise, but IMHO it's easier to sneak up on it rather than to overfill.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 397
From: Indianapolis IN
Just changed oil and filter for first time after buying car last year. Used mobile 1 ESP 5-30 dexos approved. Owners manual and this website says oil capacity is 7 quarts for z06. Poured in about 6.75 quarts. Warmed it up, drove it around, shut off, waited 5 minutes. The reading shows very low, about 1 inch below the cross hatch area in the dipstick. I’m hesitant to add any more and over fill.
Any ideas why the reading shows low? Thanks
Any ideas why the reading shows low? Thanks
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 562
Likes: 264
From: Magnolia TX
As already mentioned, you are well below refill capacity! Should be ~ 9.8 as stated. It is in owner’s manual and if searched on the web, it came back with same value 9.75 qts. Also follow the check procedure with proper warmup time and wait time prior to checking.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Thank you for responding TxLefty and St Char. I will keep topping off until I get to the proper level. I wonder why the owners manual says 7 quarts including filter.
Anyway, do you all fill to the bottom of the cross hatch, mid point or the max? Thanks
Anyway, do you all fill to the bottom of the cross hatch, mid point or the max? Thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,829
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Did you drain the oil from both oil pan drain locations? If so you can easily add 9 quarts without worrying about over filling the system. The system can actually handle 10.3 quarts since in the Track and Competitive Driving section of the OM GM recommends adding an extra half quart of oil when running on a road course. 9.8 quarts will bring the oil level to the top dot on the dipstick. 10.3 quarts will put the oil level higher on the dipstick near the lettering as shown in this picture of the dipstick from my 2015 Z06 right after I changed the oil and put in 10.3 quarts of oil:
The top arrow is the 10.3-quart level and the bottom arrow is pointing at the top dot which is the 9.8-quart level. This level was measured after I ran the engine to get the oil temperature above 175 degrees then waited 5 minutes before checking the oil level. This is the level I maintain when the car is at the track.
Bill
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,428
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From: Maryland, USA
yeah at least you checked the level and caught it.
the dry sump system is just under 10 quarts. usually start with putting in just over 9 and go from there. quite a large capacity but a great system due to how it works.
the dry sump system is just under 10 quarts. usually start with putting in just over 9 and go from there. quite a large capacity but a great system due to how it works.
Moderator
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On a dry sump Z your supposed to warm it up to 175 degrees before you change it and not do it cold
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
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Surprised no one has mentioned that the Z06 is a dry sump system AND has two drain plugs so both must be drained.
Draining only the main will leave approximately 2+ quarts in the system.
If you keep filling you will over fill the system and possibly hurt the engine.
Drain both, add 9.5 qts, warm the engine, wait 10 minutes, then check oil level.
Draining only the main will leave approximately 2+ quarts in the system.
If you keep filling you will over fill the system and possibly hurt the engine.
Drain both, add 9.5 qts, warm the engine, wait 10 minutes, then check oil level.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Both drain plugs were drained, then after refilling warmed up to 175, shut off and waited 5 minutes to check. It has been filled to the proper level, I think am good now. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,829
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
My dry sump oil fill has this tag fastened to the fill port which clearly indicates 175 degree oil temperature:
The tag is not fastened tightly to the oil fill so I have to make sure it stays in place when I remove the cap. This sticker has been on my car since the day I took delivery at the dealership with 15 miles on the odo. As shown the GM P/N is 12668052 and it is available from some online GM parts dealers.
Bill
