DLC Vette

I have a 2106 Z06 that I mostly drive on the street, but I do about 4 to 6 track days per year. I changed the oil to 15W50 and left it in for street use. The manual says to change it back to 5W30 right after track use. That's not convenient for me. Am I doing damage running 15W50 on the street??

Also, the 2018 or 2019 manuals say its ok to use 0W40 for both. Is that OK ?

Whats the skinny on all this???

Dane@LGmotorsports

We use Motul 300V 15W50 for track cars but for mixed use cars we run Motul 300V 10W40.

Alternatively using 0W40 for both would be fine.

SladeX

Does the 2106 Z06 use oil? I thought it ran on dilithium crystal...?

Seriously though, I've run 0w40 for track and street use and not run into any issues. On my built up LS3, I've used 5w50 oil for hard running and street use.

Thomasmoto

I keep the 15-50 in my Z06 all year long, no issues. Since you are up north a bit I would probably go with the 0-40. I think the chief engineer on Corvette has said to do that anyway. If you know that you are going to the track in 80+ degrees I would use the 15-50 and just go back to the 0-40 at the end of the season just when it's time to change it again. JMHO

GoatHead

There is a factory bulletin that recommends Mobil 1 0W-40 dexos 2 for all C7 street/track driving, except ZR1. It is good oil and approved by the GM.

andreas g.

I run Mobil 1 15-50 year round. No issues in my 16 Z m7 making 702/758 no issuesThe main argument against it is simply that the extra phosphorus and zinc will damage your cats before 100,000 miles. Yet those elements are a great anti wear characteristic of the oil. My 09 Z06 had three forged motors in it’s 100,000 mile life with me and never had the cats fail. As far as I know the car is still going strong. Go for it

Detroit_Bill

Your next question is going to be where do I get it. It has to be Dexos.

Dexos 0-40

DLC Vette

Great answers and good info.
I guess the 0W40 Dexos 2 comes only from the Chevy dealer, ???,, but is there actually a difference on the Dexos ??

"There is a factory bulletin that recommends Mobil 1 0W-40 dexos 2 for all C7 street/track driving, except ZR1. It is good oil and approved by the GM."
Yes bit I think it also says for track use to use the 15W50 Mobil 1. So thats why I question it.

Detroit_Bill

Speedway sells it
.Dexos Oil

Bill Dearborn

No issue using the Dexos 2 Mobil 1 ESP 0W40 on the track. It was developed so you don't have to change the oil when switching back and forth between street and track operation. You can still use the M1 15W50 if you want on track. Tadge told us in one of his answers abut 4 years ago the reason GM tells you to switch back to a lighter weight oil for street use is due to EPA fuel mileage requirements and the potential for GM to suffer higher than normal catalytic converter warranty replacements if the oil is used a lot on the street. It doesn't do anything to damage the engine.

Bill

DLC Vette

Thats good info. Thx

Z0HS1CK

I use motul 5w30 dexos 2 approved oil for the past year on the Z. Street driving only.

Car "seems" quieter but it might be placebo. Was using M1 5w30 EP prior.

TKgs2010

My '19 was factory fill with the 0W40, and it's been great for both.

Thomasmoto

Are you guys finding the ESP 0-40 locally? I saw something about someone getting it from their dealer. All of the dealers I know of in my area actually get their oil locally. Is that not the case?
And it shows up on Walmart's web site. By the quart it's much more expensive and I don't see it listed in the larger containers. Last year I bought it from a local small parts store and he had it for about $7.00 a quart, but that was just the reg 15-50.

emperors61

If you want a good deal on oil, just wait for the yearly Mobil 1 rebates and buy the 5 qt jugs from Walmart. It ends up being just under $3/qt. Of course, this is only for the Mobil 1 5W-30 and 15W-50. Mobil 1 0W-40 ESP is at a premium. I just run 5W-30 during the winter and switch to 15W-50 for the track season, and run 15W-50 on the street as well in the track season. I pray that my cats have everlasting life, but if not, I'll replace them, probably with an aftermarket exhaust and power mods!

Bill Dearborn

I get it at the local dealer. Cost per quart is about what you would pay per quart for the Mobil 1 15W50 at an auto parts store ($10).

The last GM part number that I had for a quart of oil is 19370233. I got this off the receipt when I had them change my oil in November. Most Corvette Owner's only need to change their oil once per year so 10 or 11 quarts at $10 each Vs 10 or 11 quarts at $8 each doesn't make much difference on a yearly basis.

Bill

X25

If you choose to order online:
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mobil...hoCId8QAvD_BwE

okaythen

Thanks for that guys, debating between 15w50 or 0w40 all year round. 15w50 seems a little cheaper and I am in NV so it should be no problem.

VS 5w30 does it take longer time to warm up? (175F for engine oil temp) 5w30 is about 10 min for me

BrunoTheMellow

I run 15w-50 year round. I rarely drive the car below 50 anyhow. And always let it warm up nicely before going hard. Specially since my oil takes like 30 minutes to warm up (aftermarket cooler). I am in Texas and also track year round

Mobil 15w-50 is < $25 at Walmart for a 5 quart jug. No brainer price wise compared to everything else.

Sucks my car runs on 10.5-11.0 quarts though. Just shy of 2 jugs so I always have some left over.

Bill Dearborn

If you aren't starting the car in ambient temps below 15 degrees 15W50 oil isn't a problem from an engine wear standpoint. Before we had multi-viscosity oils we put 10 weight oil in the engine for the winter and could see sub zero ambient temps when starting a car that had been parked outside for 8 to 12 hours. For the spring and summer we switched to 30 W oil which handled everything you would see in the US.

Bill