Oil change: Is it a pain in the &$$ - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Hunt-man · 01-17-2016, 01:22 PM

Thinking about doing my own oil change I'm at 600 miles and I'd like some clean oil in there. Likely not going to change the filter.

It looks like a tough job to jack it and a messy job to drain it. Yes? No?

I found this good thread:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...ght=Oil+change

How much is a change at the dealer? Now I'm thinking I'll pay to have it done....

Zslash28 · 01-17-2016, 01:35 PM

You should still qualify for the free oil changes, no? 3 free within the first year IIRC.

No way in heck Id change the oil from my back. Thats just me. I have access to lifts on base and its like $5 for an hour. The only hard part is spending the money for 10 qrts of oil.

IMO the ZL1 add-on lift mount pads are a must before sticking the car on a 4 point lift. After its in the air, removing the underbelly cover drop the filter and two oil pan bolts. Could have it done in well under an hour.
If your going to the dealer, make sure they dont use a drive on/off platform lift, ive seen 2 Z's with damaged spoilers having been on this type of lift.

Hunt-man · 01-17-2016, 01:57 PM

I don't have access to a lift so I'd be on my back.

I do have free oil changes but didn't want to blow one for an early oil change. I'd like my break in to have very clean oil.

Ryanbabz71 · 01-17-2016, 02:22 PM

It's pretty straight forward. Not messy at all. If you have ramps it's easier than jacking up

Ryan

Hunt-man · 01-17-2016, 02:46 PM

I don't have ramps. Are they expensive?

Zslash28 · 01-17-2016, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunt-man

I don't have ramps. Are they expensive?

http://www.amazon.com/Race-Ramps-RR-.../dp/B003WSZH9G

Stephen12ZL1 · 01-17-2016, 05:04 PM

not terrible...two drain plugs. The sump pan plug will drain only a quart or so, and the forward pan plug will drain the rest of the tank etc (9+qts). The oil filter has easy access and you always have to remove the belly pan and its associated bolts & two plastic rivets. Once the car is in the air, it isn't that bad. Make sure you have a drain pan with the capacity necessary. I think I have changed the oil 8-10 times due to engine work and track days. Consider getting a dimple magnetic drain plug for one or both plug positions.

Ryanbabz71 · 01-17-2016, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zslash28

http://www.amazon.com/Race-Ramps-RR-.../dp/B003WSZH9G

You can get less expensive versions also like rhino ramps

Ryan

Hunt-man · 01-17-2016, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the info. How often are you changing oil? More often if tracking?

Schlok · 01-17-2016, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunt-man

Thanks for the info. How often are you changing oil? More often if tracking?

I'm pretty sure the recommendations are change oil before and after track days but I'm not tracking my car currently.

69L48Z27 · 01-17-2016, 07:29 PM

I grew up in different school I guess. Always change the filter. What good is clean oil going through a dirty filter. Just me...

68camaroz28 · 01-17-2016, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69L48Z27

I grew up in different school I guess. Always change the filter. What good is clean oil going through a dirty filter. Just me...

X2!
I'd let the dealership change now (waste one as you call it) and then when they are used up then you change. But whatever you do, its best to change filter also.....

Z/28Dan · 01-17-2016, 08:45 PM

Let the dealer change it. Use up what you have included under warrantyand then worry about DIY changes.

Just my .02.

KaBoom1701 · 01-17-2016, 09:50 PM

The oil filter is the worst part for my on the ZL1....not sure if it's the same configuration on the Z/28 though?

01-17-2016, 01:22 PM	#1
Hunt-man Drives: 2015 Z28 + Piper Comanche Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: PDX Posts: 227	Oil change: Is it a pain in the &$$ Thinking about doing my own oil change I'm at 600 miles and I'd like some clean oil in there. Likely not going to change the filter. It looks like a tough job to jack it and a messy job to drain it. Yes? No? I found this good thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...ght=Oil+change How much is a change at the dealer? Now I'm thinking I'll pay to have it done....

01-17-2016, 02:22 PM	#4
Ryanbabz71 Drives: 2018 Hyper Blue 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana Posts: 6,231 View My Garage	It's pretty straight forward. Not messy at all. If you have ramps it's easier than jacking up Ryan __________________ Ryan * 2018 1SS 1LE Camaro Hyper Blue Metallic Car Build: http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showth...0#post10049680

01-17-2016, 05:04 PM	#7
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,812	not terrible...two drain plugs. The sump pan plug will drain only a quart or so, and the forward pan plug will drain the rest of the tank etc (9+qts). The oil filter has easy access and you always have to remove the belly pan and its associated bolts & two plastic rivets. Once the car is in the air, it isn't that bad. Make sure you have a drain pan with the capacity necessary. I think I have changed the oil 8-10 times due to engine work and track days. Consider getting a dimple magnetic drain plug for one or both plug positions. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

01-17-2016, 08:45 PM	#13
Z/28Dan Drives: 2013 HWSE Indy Festial #26 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 2,670 View My Garage	Let the dealer change it. Use up what you have included under warrantyand then worry about DIY changes. Just my .02. __________________ There are only so many days in your lifetime. So get out and drive your Camaro... Dan

01-17-2016, 09:50 PM	#14
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	The oil filter is the worst part for my on the ZL1....not sure if it's the same configuration on the Z/28 though? __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

01-17-2016, 01:35 PM	#2
Zslash28 Jumanji Drives: '14 Z/28 - AGM - No A/C Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Alaska Posts: 1,688	You should still qualify for the free oil changes, no? 3 free within the first year IIRC. No way in heck Id change the oil from my back. Thats just me. I have access to lifts on base and its like $5 for an hour. The only hard part is spending the money for 10 qrts of oil. IMO the ZL1 add-on lift mount pads are a must before sticking the car on a 4 point lift. After its in the air, removing the underbelly cover drop the filter and two oil pan bolts. Could have it done in well under an hour. If your going to the dealer, make sure they dont use a drive on/off platform lift, ive seen 2 Z's with damaged spoilers having been on this type of lift.

01-17-2016, 01:57 PM	#3
Hunt-man Drives: 2015 Z28 + Piper Comanche Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: PDX Posts: 227	I don't have access to a lift so I'd be on my back. I do have free oil changes but didn't want to blow one for an early oil change. I'd like my break in to have very clean oil.

01-17-2016, 02:46 PM	#5
Hunt-man Drives: 2015 Z28 + Piper Comanche Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: PDX Posts: 227	I don't have ramps. Are they expensive?

01-17-2016, 06:16 PM	#9
Hunt-man Drives: 2015 Z28 + Piper Comanche Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: PDX Posts: 227	Thanks for the info. How often are you changing oil? More often if tracking?

01-17-2016, 07:29 PM	#11
69L48Z27 Drives: 2015 Z/28; 1969 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: York, PA Posts: 805	I grew up in different school I guess. Always change the filter. What good is clean oil going through a dirty filter. Just me...