mkvette76

HI everyone,
First time posting, long time viewer. I have my eyes on a 2014 red Z51 auto that only has 3,300 miles on it. When I pull a carfax it shows 1 owner BUT it appears the car has only had 1 oil change. Should I be concerned that the oil wasn't changed until earlier this year? I've read many sites where low mileage cars should still have the oil changed once a year even if you're hardly putting any miles on it. In this case, 1 owner, owned it for 4 years and changed the oil once. Would you still buy it? I appreciate any opinions and or advice.

-Mark

Patman

Maybe he did all of his own oil changes except for that one done at a dealer?

dvilin

If the price is right I would buy it and change the oil right away. Just curious what does the oil monitor read as far as oil life left.

Mcrider

Synthetics are an entirely new ball game with regards to oil. The oil companies have been masters at propaganda with oil change schedules. Years ago, when oil was no where near as good as it is today, 12K miles was the norm between changes, now it's 3. Synthetics first came out and they bragged about 60K between changes, now it's 20k.

I wouldn't worry about it in the least. Have the oil changed and enjoy!

mkvette76

The carfax shows he last had the oil changed on 2/28/2018 at a dealership at 3,589 miles. It now has 3601. So he basically drove it for 3-1/2 years with the same oil before he decided to change it at the 3,589 miles. I don't know if that old oil could have caused any damage over time or not. Great deal on the car, perfect condition but only 1 recorded oil change.

dvilin

Buy it, not like the owner put an excessive amount of miles without changing the oil. He exceeded the recommendation of changing it once per year, I am in the no big deal crowd and as stated I would make the deal.

Landru

IF GMVIS & Carfax is clean, ie no repeat visits for same issue?
It's just fine.
OTOH if looking for a reason not to buy, this isn't it.

Obviously oil changed in accordance to miles, 3.3K = one change.
Relax, Mark.
If you'd like it & price agreeable, buy & start enjoying it.

Mcrider

Use MOBIL 1 oil!

Johnp94

Non issue. Buy it

C7&7

Oh man... come on. lol... but that car and just change the oil. It would only be on a carfax if a dealer changed it. **** my car has never had the oil changed then.....

orca1946

I changed my own oil for 11 1/2 years on my 2006 Z51 so, only 1 oil change would have shown up on the history. Buy it, change milk and have fun!!

LouD

I had my 500mi first oil change on a 2017 GS done at the dealer and it didn't show up on Carfax. Carfax is not perfect..it is only as good as the individual putting (or in my case not putting) the information into the system. Don't fret, buy the car.

sTz

Some people change their own oil, which obviously will not show up on Carfax, some people don’t... and some people lease cars and don’t care about oil changes. Someone recently posted to the latter.

Nonetheless, I personally wouldn’t make my decision solely on Carfax. Perhaps the dealership can inquire to the previous owner... Wouldn’t hurt to ask.

Note: You’re “suppose” to change the oil on all dry sump C7s at 500 miles, which includes the Z51.

JerryU

FWIW, I did all my own oil changes on my September 2013 built Z5. No GM record.

However with that low mileage I recall when I sold my 6 year old C6 with <30,000 miles the fellow said he could by one with 2000 miles for the same price! I honestly said I'd be concerned about a car with very few miles if it was used for 2 miles trips to the store and the oil never reached operating temp!

He bought mine mostly because he liked Yellow!

Steve_R

CarFax only shows what a dealer, shop, etc. gives them. It's not a definitive, all-inclusive list of everything that's ever been done to a car. The owner could have changed it himself, which wouldn't show in CarFax. He could have had it done at a shop that doesn't report to CarFax. Just because it's not in CarFax doesn't mean it wasn't done.

Don't worry about it and buy the car.

kenownr

None issue - do your due diligence on the rest of the things, overall condition, check with dealer and VIN # to make sure the warranty is valid etc.etc. -- Then if you like it buy it!! Summers coming, you will love it. Also mentioned on the forum often; CarFax is notoriously in accurate on a lot of issues.

Dyn

I had almost the same deal. 3 year old car, 2 oil changes, 3200 miles. I immediately changed the oil. Oil looked fine. 6,000 miles later, runs like new.

franknbeans

My wife's mazda CX5 takes Mobil1 0-20. It goes 8k in between oil changes. I really don't see the point of changing the oil if the miles aren't on it.

airmed2

Holy cow! We're at the zenith of the best of everything, including oils. 3600 miles and it's already had at least one; I'm not really sure of the concern here.

JerryU

Hmm, because you'all can't see a need to change at least once per year, GM engineers (and many others do!)

I change the oil in my Street Rod each year with very few miles! All 5 Vettes I have owned (first 1988) have said "Change oil at XXX miles, when the OLM says OR ONE YEAR WHICH EVER COMES FIRST! The instructions for the 502 cid Chevy crate engine in my Street Rod say the same!

Every time you start the engine those cold pistons and rich starting air/fuel mixture cause combustion products to enter the oil. The main combustion product is water. It forms acids and other "stuff" that are harmful. In fact the worse thing for a car with low mileage is starting it, then driving a short distance were the oil doesn't get hot long enough to evaporate some of that water! In fact with the Street Rod I try not to just pull in out of the garage to get a ladder etc than pull it right back. I have a 25 miles loop I drive to get the oil hot (and have fun.)

The OLM now takes into account starts, oil getting sufficiently hot after a start and will reduce the time to change if most "miles" are just short trips. In fact it uses engine revolutions not miles! Miles driven on the highway are much better for the engine that the same number making short trips!

Your cars do as you wish!