mikeyc6

I decided to change my oil today at about 800 miles just to get some fresh oil in there after the breakin. I put 6 quarts in and the oil level on the dipstick is still only halfway into the hatched area. Normal? Could the dipstick be inaccurate?

I warmed it up afterward, let it run for a while, turned it off and let the oil settle for about 10 minutes, and checked the dipstick several times on level ground so I don't think it's me. I've been changing oil for over 20 years, so I doubt it's pilot error.

I tried a search, but the search tool here can't even find a common term like "VIN" most of the time, so that's useless. Looking for input from people who have changed their own oil in their C6 already.

Thanks,
Mike

curvesman

Very strange? I thought the c6 took five and a half quarts!

mikeyc6

That's what the manual says, but when I added 5.5 quarts, the level was only at the bottom (start) of the hatched pattern on the dipstick.

I read on another forum that the 5.5 quarts is the oil pan capacity so it doesn't include the volume of the filter, which might be a half quart.

I'm not too worried about it as I don't think an extra half quart will hurt especially when it brings it to halfway into the hatch on the dipstick, but I'd just like to know what others have found.

Mike

Buster1

I'm sorry, but I don't have any help relating to your question. As a side note, are you using ramps, jacks, or a lift? And if so, what are you using and how is it working for you?? I was wondering if the car needed to be level to change the oil, and thought ramps might be a problem...but I really have no idea.

Vette_DD

Mikeyc6,
I read the manual the same way you do. On page 5-94, it specifically says, "Engine Oil with Filter 5.5 quarts". Guess you'll have to wait until someone else posts that they've done this. I have not.

C7CorvettePilot

The Z51 has an oil cooler and I think you have to have more oil to compensate for the cooler. ???? Other cars I have had with a cooler took extra oil.

Another Yellow

I changed mine last week. It took 5 1/2 quarts and was right at the top of the hash mark. BTW the C6 dipstick is a nice gray color and you can read the oil level much easier now, even with fresh oil.

I have the Z51 but that should make no difference in oil capacity.

rwpatte

As a precaution I checked the oil and found it up to the top of the hatch marks. It had been sitting about 30 min. I once had a car with the dip stick tube was not all the way down in the block......Always wrong reading.

lager99

Put the drain plug back in.

mikeyc6

I just jacked it using the pucks in the front and put jack stands under it. All the oil appears to drain out fine with just the front end lifted. I guess in my case, all the oil... plus an extra half quart drains out.

My car is not a Z51 and my dipstick isn't gray; it's black like most other cars. I must say I'm getting a complex... starting to think my dipstick is just too short.

Mike

JWD01

This discrepency (sp?) was the same with the LS1's. Everyone stated they only hold 5.5 qts. and if you put in 6 qts. it's over filled. I was there when my 01 was unloaded and nobody at the dealership touched the car before I took delivery. It came from the factory with the oil level exactly at the top hash mark. With all B.S. about the oil quantity, I decided to check everything at the first oil change. I measured the oil I drained out (6 qts.) and it took exactly 6 qts. to bring it back up to the upper hash mark again.

mikeyc6

Wasn't the LS1 stated as 6 qts in the manual? At 5.5 qts, the LS2 is actually supposed to use less oil than the LS1.



Mike

Norske

I once had a case of oil (not Mobile1) which had all underfilled quart containers. Called the mfg., and was told that's a "rare occurrence", which means it occurs...

Patman

The LS1's capacity is 6.5 quarts.

carpe dm

Quick tip: always pre-fill the oil filter before installing. The first time you do it, you will be surprised at how much it will take. This will also eliminate any interruption in oil delivery.

Scissors

Well there's your problem. The LS1's oil capacity is 6.5 quarts. So of course yours was underfilled with only 5.5 put in.

What people forget are a couple of things:

1. That not all of the oil drains out in the first place.
2. That the C5's problem related to an incorrect dipstick, not to an incorrect published oil fill capacity.

JWD01

I was going from memory (which is poor at best). I drained out 6.5 qts. and it took 6.5 qts. to fill it back up. The problem was that the owners manual and service manual states it holds only 6 qts. and everyone in the C5 section stated that 6.5 was overfilling it. However, mine came from the factory with 6.5 qts. in it. I've heard the dipstick theory but even if mine had an incorrect dipstick, why did the factory put in 6.5 qts.?

0vetteshop

Changed the oil on a C6 the other day,took 6.5 quarts

Scissors

Well the dipstick wasn't a theory since GM specifically revised it in later years to fix the problem.

What I do know is that not all of the oil drains when you change it, so there's probably as much as 0.5 quarts left throughout the engine. Whereas the factory can dump in the entire 6.5 because the engine is new and unoiled.

llllorac

I have been reading different things on the internet....does anyone know how much oil to use when changing oil and filter.(not dry sump motor)...does the LS1 engine have a larger capacity than the LS2 and LS3....what brand and model of filter is best to use? 5-30 mobil 1 or 10-30 mobile 1....or something else...