06-08-2018, 01:43 PM | #1 |
Yee-aay-ee!
Drives: 2015 2SS/RS CV CE Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: ORegon
Posts: 2,520
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To Change or Not to Change?
The last oil change on my L99 was in November. I've driven the car 1,000 miles since then. The most recent OnStar report states 90% oil life.
I'm concerned about it being 7 months ago though. Should the oil be changed or is it fine? |
06-08-2018, 01:52 PM | #2 |
Drives: 2011 Green SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: CleveBurbs Ohio
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It’ll be all right Although some will argue.
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06-08-2018, 02:00 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2014 Red Hot LS3 Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 4,266
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Oil change is inexpensive. I'd change it.
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06-08-2018, 02:10 PM | #4 |
15 Year LS1Tech Member
Drives: 2010 ss 391ci LS3 Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 252
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I think that if the car sat for a year or two without being driven at all, you would definitely want to change the oil.
Personally, I wouldn't change the oil. I don't think theres a right or wrong answer here, mostly up to you. |
06-08-2018, 02:21 PM | #5 |
Drives: 2015 2SS White Convertible CE/INDY Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Lockport, IL
Posts: 780
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I put on about 3k a year on my car. I change the old towards the end of the season, so around September and drive it until November where I store it again until it comes out in April. *repeat*
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06-08-2018, 02:23 PM | #6 |
Drives: 2012 2SS/RS, 1968 SS Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southeast, PA
Posts: 2,093
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On my show cars, I do 1 oil change per calendar year, regardless of the miles that I've driven that year.
Sometimes it's only 1500 miles in a year. But the oil gets changed at least once.
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06-08-2018, 02:28 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: May 2016
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 413
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every 5k or 6 mo.
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06-08-2018, 02:35 PM | #8 |
Ret AF, cancer survivor
Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS & 2006 Corvette Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Mesquite, NV
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I basically follow the recommendations in the owner's manuals of all 3 of my vehicles which all say the same thing; (paraphrasing) change oil when the 'change oil soon' message is displayed or 1 year since the last change, which ever comes first. I drive my vehicles pretty spiritedly/hard and, although I have almost 100K miles on my Corvette, it has gone a year between oil changes a few tines and I haven't had any engine or other issues.
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06-08-2018, 02:48 PM | #9 |
Drives: 2011 Vistory Red 1LS Join Date: May 2018
Location: Missouri
Posts: 487
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I change about every 3000 give or take 1000. My normal weekly commute is almost 400 miles.
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2011 1LS M6 Victory Red Sold 1967 Coupe Green and White 1969 SS 396 Hugger Orange 1969 Z/28 All original White with deluxe interior 1970 RS Blue 1978 Coupe Fugly Green 1978 WS-6 Trans-Am Factory 4 speed 1985 IROC-Z Red |
06-08-2018, 03:15 PM | #10 |
Drives: Black camaro 2ss 45th Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Central NJ
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I’m in the same boat. Changed in November and put another 1500 miles on it. Part of me wants to change it. But there’s really no point I feel like. Every time I start the engine I drive the car and everything gets up to temp which I know burns out moisture or anything away. I never start the car to let it idle and then park it. I will however change the oil at the 3k mark because it will be getting driven more now that it’s nice.
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06-08-2018, 03:27 PM | #11 |
Drives: 2011 Vistory Red 1LS Join Date: May 2018
Location: Missouri
Posts: 487
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My last oil change cost me ~$45.00 (did it myself). I check the oil every Saturday after it has set all night.
Realistically, oil doesn't really break down. It will, however, continue to collect crud which can be detrimental to the rotating assembly. $45-$125 for an oil change is pretty cheap insurance for a $20,000-$30,000 car.
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The Original Farm Rat
2011 1LS M6 Victory Red Sold 1967 Coupe Green and White 1969 SS 396 Hugger Orange 1969 Z/28 All original White with deluxe interior 1970 RS Blue 1978 Coupe Fugly Green 1978 WS-6 Trans-Am Factory 4 speed 1985 IROC-Z Red |
06-08-2018, 03:39 PM | #12 |
Drives: 2012 IOM SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Georgia
Posts: 92
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I bought mine last July and it’s not a daily driver, so I’ll change the oil next month even though I’ve only put about 4,000 miles on it.
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06-08-2018, 04:15 PM | #13 |
376 cubic inches of fun
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No need to change it, assuming you used Mobil1 or other premium synthetic oil.
Here's what I do: I change the oil shortly before storing the car for the winter. That's because you want clean oil with a minimum of corrosives while the car sits for 6 months. (Sadly, that's how long the road salt season lasts where I live.) But I'm not full-on anal about it. If there's more nice weather after I change the oil, I keep driving. Typically, that bonus season is about 1,000 miles or less. I do not change this nice clean oil again in spring; I just start driving. If I get to 50% life by June, I change the oil. Otherwise I keep going until November and change the oil at the one year interval. I have never taken the oil any lower than 30% life remaining, which is about a 9,000 to 10,000 miles interval. This is what I've done since 2010 and no problems. Anyone who tells you to change synthetic oil after 3,000 miles in a computer controlled, full injected car is probably old enough to be your great grandpa. |
06-08-2018, 04:31 PM | #14 |
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Well you certainly can't go wrong by changing it. It's probably okay, but if you plan to track it or drive it extra hard, go ahead and change it first. OnStar just goes by mileage - I change my oil every 5K miles, regardless of what the "Oil Life" states. Oil changes are cheap insurance though most any approved oil is fine for 5K or one year, which ever comes first.
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