doublec4

I typically change my oil about every 5000km on every car I have.

On the vette, the oil life indicator is saying I have about 60% left but I've driven about 5000km. Does it measure oil life based on mileage? I reset the gauge the last time I changed the oil.

What is the recommended mileage before an oil change on these cars?

Thanks guys

NukeC5

I have heard that under the right conditions, an LS1 can go 8,000 miles. But I would never go that long. I change at 4,000 miles.

cessna10

I'm old school, 3000 for me

ztheusa

Change it when the oil indicator reads "0" or after one year. Read your owner's manual.

s'noJob

I've heard never go below 20%. I once went into the teens but I try to stay around 20%.

.

jrose7004

One year or 10,000 miles, whichever is first. I think my manual says 15,000 miles.

dblerman

I change mine when the oil indicator gets below 10%, or in April when it comes out after winter. Either way it's usually between 4-6K miles between changes.

RC000E

This has always been a debatable issue. My opinion is based on many things:

1. I took classes on oil as a manager for Hi-Lo autoparts back in the 90's
2. I've been an engine builder/car builder for 12+ years
3. I do a lot of my own independent research

I think that 3mo/3000 miles was a benchmark of oils made in the earlier days, when oil quality wasn't as good. I also think that something had to be "branded" so to speak, in order to get people to maintain a vehicle with some level of consistency. I also think, that it was a great tool for the companies who make automotive oil. Hell...a whole industry has been built surrounded by the 3mo/3000 mile rule.

The facts of modern oils are, the longevity varies based upon use, engine condition, temperature, etc. Many, many variables exist that impact how long an oil will last and provide a protective barrier from excessive friction and wear.

Some oil tests have revealed that newer, clean burning engines can allow oil to last up to 20k miles and still be within an acceptable tolerance. Certainly, 3mo/3k miles seems to be very extreme, but inevitably can you really go wrong or do the engine harm...certainly not. For most engines, the oil is certainly still within tolerable levels given the short span of 3mo/3k miles.

So, my true belief is, if you change it every 3mo/3k miles, you damn sure will never go wrong. You're giving the engine the best conditions to ensure longevity.

Yes, some cars aren't driven that often, so certainly good judgement comes into play. I think if you look at oil and visually it still appears healthy, i.e. it's fairly translucent or even transparent, then you're good. Even with a good appearance though, I would NEVER put the car away for the winter months on the used oil from the summer/spring/fall driving season...even if it was only 500 miles.

So, the real answer, in my opinion is use everything you have available in terms of info. What does the oil monitor say? What does the oil look like? How long has it been since you last changed it? Do you care about your Corvette?

My personal deal is, I change it before I put my car away for the winter, regardless of mileage. I drive hard when I do drive it, so I'll generally change it twice throughout the spring/summer/fall driving season, once about mid summer, then again before I put it away. I generally put about 3-4k miles on my weekend cars each year.

More of an answer and many may not read it, but I type 90+wpm, so it was just a three minute deal or so....lol.

azer666

I change my oil every 300-600 miles and at least once a year since that what I have heard you should do. But can someone explain to me WHY you need to change the oil every year although you have not driven your car a long distance? I cant seem to get the real logic in that so far.

NukeC5

Because of the moisture the oil will collect in such a long period of time.

SCM_Crash

Between 7-8,000 miles. I'm using Amsoil Signature Series. They say to change every 12,000 miles after heavy abuse. The oil usually looks good and clean when I change it. Either way, oil is cheap. Engines are not. I'd rather spend more on oil than a LOT more on a new engine.

SCM_Crash

I'm sure he means between 3,000 and 6,000... 300-600 would simply be ridiculous.

s'noJob

The answers may vary depending on the range from daily driver to garage queen.

But I do agree with the 3mo/3k miles as being over the top. That's like topping off your gas every time you are down 1/8 tank.
.

renegad44

I usually wait till around 10% on the DIC. I use Amsoil Signature Series also, and a couple of times when we drained the oil, it looked so fresh, I was like damn, I could put this right back in the motor.....

Don't forget the filter...

Mastertvtech

Why would you NEVER put the car away with 3K oil in it? The guy I bought my car from had it 7 years and told me he would change the oil before he took it out in the Spring. If the oil still has tons of life in it, what worries you about it staying in the motor?

baxsom

all the research and engineering that went into designing the LS1 and people cant get through their head oil stuff. people will tell you that you are crazy if you doubt GM on the type of oil but then refuse to let the DIC go below 80%.

i just dont get it

2KFRC5

Here's my last oil change that I had analyzed. Almost 10,000 miles, 0% on the OLM. I've had 2 changes since then. Each had at almost 10,000 miles/0%. I'll have my next change analyzed again. It should be around 118,000 on the motor. YMMV

ssrallyred

I run 530 synthetic and a K@N oil filter and change mine when the oil life meter is between 20-15%. Mostly because if the weather is nice and I need to run over to the ATL or Miss. its not a problem with running way over. Its so funny really, I am a area manager for a 30 year automotive maintaince provider in the SE US and there are 2 opposite types we see all the time. The hard core car "fanatic" types.( No disrespect because well hell I am one LOL) that change the oil maybe too often, some of our techs take the oil out of these and put in their own cars and run several thousand more miles. And the other extreme that go 8-10K on regular conventional oil. Now with the newer models that have oil life moniters that start taking up the whole info screens with "change oil soon/NOW" that is starting to reverse itself somewhat. But still we see cars built in the last 15 or so years, with what most of us here would be considered out right neglect as far as OC's go still run 150-200K no problem. Now keep in mind I realize the average POS commuter car is never asked to scream to 65-7500 rpm on a regular basis or deal with 400-700 hp. But if you drive your Vette in a mostly commuter type style most of the time just thought I would share some "real life" info when you start sweating your oil change intervals :-) lol

Dave68

I change my oil once per year (about 4200-5000 miles). The oil can certainly last longer but I'm a bit wary about not changing the oil filter for extended periods of time.

Dave68

The owner's manual recommends changing the oil when the oil life remaining approaches/reaches 0% OR 1 year, whichever occurs first.
The poster must not drive his car much, hence the 300-600 mile changes after a full year. If he is driving on only short trips, there could very well be quite a bit of moisture in his oil.