Redvette_22

This may be "old news" to most of us, but I thought I'd just post it to alert others who may not check this out when buying a used C8 (or others as well) . I just got back from CarMax looking at a 2021 C8 Coupe with 5800 miles on it. The car looked really good but before I went to test drive it I asked a question, that I thought was a "no brainer" but was surprised. My question was when the salesman said how they take care of their cars when traded in....you know..the usual 125+ check up....and they change the oil, making a big deal of that point. When I asked about what oil they used, I was told "conventional" oil....(they were not using synthetic never mind not the correct weight either). While most may not see this as an issue, I do..!! I am sure that other used car dealers may do the same and if they are not asked they don't tell. Once when visiting my daughter and her family, I took my C6 to a Chevrolet dealer for an oil change....and paid a hefty price to boot....only to find an issue later. They did not use a GM filter and when I started to get an engine noise my usual dealer balked at doing any warranty on the engine because of "non GM parts" being used, but thankfully my receipt from the Chevrolet dealer bailed me out. Now with so many C8's becoming available from used car dealers and NON GM dealers, I think that the "what oil" and "show me the work order" is now a question that all buyers should ask.

AORoads

I agree. Those are the type of short cuts good for their costs, but not good for yours with or without an intact warranty. Good catch, good info, too!!!!

tadda

If you got this answer from a carmax salesman then it may have not been correct...I would be speaking with the service department to see their records as to what oil was used or if it was changed at all......

HRDTOPC54FUN

If you are serious about buying the car, get the vin no. and a copy of the CARFAX.

Also, consider taking the time to visit a GM dealer and request a copy of the Warranty and History report for that VIN. They should provide it at no cost especially if you indicate you may use them to service the car in the future. It would detail any warranty service that has been performed as well as the scheduled maintenance performed to date by a Chevrolet dealer.

You are absolutely right being cautious.

Drew888

0 weight oils are only available as full synthetics. Today Mobil 1 is considered to be a standard product because of its availability. I would be surprised if they did not use a 0-40 oil.

switchlanez

Yeah this. A sales guy isn't responsible nor versed for knowing answers to technical service questions which is basically what you were asking. Even at the largest volume Chevy dealer in Socal where I bought my C8, the internet salesman who closed the deal on my C8 and has been closing multiple for years at MSRP told me it's imperative that I get the transmission oil and filter changed at 1,500 miles or else I could run into warranty issues. I asked service about this and they said he's still confusing that with the C7. It's supposed to be 7,500 miles for the C8.

I've learned to temper my expectations based on a person's specific role or expertise. A salesman tasked with selling hundreds of different makes/models to customers all day at Carmax won't be required to know the C8's oil specs off the top of their head.

1 STING

The used car business has a tendency to be very creative in the most incredible ways. All it takes is getting burned once to actually understand it and know the risks.


George

Phil1098

I have to wonder if they had the engine running, on level ground, and up to normal operating temp when they checked the level.

AORoads

While I don't disagree with you, I think this one instance would prompt a legitimate request to look inside the shop: do they even "have" synthetic oil in their prep room? Why ask or think that way? Not every car (as a matter of fact, not a lot) require or use as a first-fill synthetic oil. And certainly not to the specificity of the C8 (what vehicles also use the specific oil for the C8---3 or 4 others? just asking because it could be more...or less).

I have respect for CarMax, but trying to service a hundred or more different models of all brands can get to be a little taxing. That is, unless the prep is "jobbed out" to a dealer because CarMax knows that this car requires specific fluids and inspection, and they don't want to carry all these fluids.

TD20

Most car sales people dont really know crap about what they are selling. I wouldnt' worry about it too much.

gdb069

More than likely they did not change the oil but ask to see the work order. I was told that once and asked where the service bay was. They told me they took the car to a Lube service so I asked for that receipt and they story fell apart. No use car sales depot is going to service the C8 and risk voiding the warranty that is worth a lot more than an oil change.

JMBickel

It is best, if possible, to run the VIN to see the history of the first owner. Some of those used C8s come from Ron Fellows, and end up at a dealer in Yorba Linda, California!!

MVRider

I would be careful and check it out. I took my 2018 C7 Grand Sport to a Chevrolet dealer and they didn't even put the right oil in it so I certainly would not trust any used car lot to use the right filter and oil.

Acpantera

I hate buying used cars, haven't done it in 3 decades.

MKC8

Doing your homework usually pays off.

Pettrix

Unfortunately, while the C8 is demanding super car pricing, you are still dealing with a Chevy/GM dealer. This has been a problem with Chevy/GM going back decades. The Corvette was always supposed to be the "blue collar" affordable sports car. That came with some cons, one of which was you had to be treated by the Chevy dealer like you bought/own a Chevy Cavalier. So service stunk if you had to get your car fixed at the dealership. Fast forward to 2023, and while Chevy is asking for $100K+ on these cars, you are still dealing with Chevy Cavalier dealership experiences. That will never change. It's been this way for decades and will continue to be so, even if GM starts asking for $200k on these cars.

The same tech who changes oil on $25k cars is changing oil on these $100k cars. The parts counter guy getting oil and an oil fitler doesn't care about your C8. It's sad but this is the Chevy business model and has been this way ever since I owned by first GM car back in the 1980's. Go back and read the horror stories on this forum from C6 and C7 owners who had the dry sump and how GM dealers screwed up the oil change as they service the dry sump as they would service a wet sump oiling system.

I don't trust GM dealers and it's too bad these cars are not serviceable by DIY owners as you have to place your trust into hacks who don't care about you or your car.

TBD

I would never buy a used Corvette unless I personally knew the owner and said owner was able to read the owner’s manual.

Waaaaaaay too many accounts in this very forum from posters who disagree with break in procedures, timing of services, and like to “drive it like you stole it.”

Cheers!

N227GB

This is excellent advice!

Phil1098

This was a major contributing factor in me buying a new C8, a car that I could break-in by the book, and never hot rod when not fully up to temperature, instead of a used 911 Porsche for the same $$$$.

Andybump

My take away is this: If uncertain about what motor oil was used, just get it changed again with the correct motor oil. Regardless of whether the OLM indicated it was reset or not. Since it is 5800 miles, there would be no concern in this case about whether the DCT filter change was done. It would not have been run very much with the wrong oil if the re-selling dealer did the oil change.