Oil Changing Newbie

[jwawhite]

Okay, okay, my hearing has come back, now I'm thinking about an oil change.

Did a "search" but wasn't quite happy with what I found.

Does anyone have the repair/service manual in .pdf format?

How about basic oil change info for me? The car is on the driveway, what do I do to get the car up and take off the drain bolt? What is the troque spec for the drain plug? Haven't even looked for an oil filter yet, hard to change?

I have a bit over 3400 miles and the change oil percent is at 76. Does anyone recommend changing earlier?

 

[cruzer99]

I usually change mine around 40-50% which is about 5K miles but this is my own
preference. If you change your own do two things 1. make sure the back is higher than the front of the car (will drain all of the oil out of the pan). 2. put in a magnetic drain plug if you don't already have one.
Be careful......

 

['04 Torch Red]

I usually change mine around 40-50% which is about 5K miles but this is my own
preference. If you change your own do two things 1. make sure the back is higher than the front of the car (will drain all of the oil out of the pan). 2. put in a magnetic drain plug if you don't already have one.
Be careful......

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Are you sure about the back being higher??? I heard the Vette should be level because of the baffles in the pan.....and everyone I talked with says that the Vette should be level...also, isnt the plug is on the side...........right?

 

[cruzer99]

Plug is in the front which will explain why you want the back higher.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Okay, okay, my hearing has come back, now I'm thinking about an oil change.

Did a "search" but wasn't quite happy with what I found.

Does anyone have the repair/service manual in .pdf format?

How about basic oil change info for me? The car is on the driveway, what do I do to get the car up and take off the drain bolt? What is the troque spec for the drain plug? Haven't even looked for an oil filter yet, hard to change?

I have a bit over 3400 miles and the change oil percent is at 76. Does anyone recommend changing earlier?

Change the oil when the oil life monitor reads 0%. There is no need to do it sooner, however, if this is a Corvette with a LS1 or LS6, I'd change the oil filter at 50% because the filter used on those engines is so small. Lastly, you're better off using Mobil 1 10W30 rather than 5W30.

 

[medicine man]

If this vette is a keeper I would recommend the Corvette Service Manual. All questions
about being level (YES) and oil drain times are clearly outlined. Heard a lot about the oil life monitor I prefer to change at 3 to 4 months regardless of milage.

 

[DDLS3]

Lastly, you're better off using Mobil 1 10W30 rather than 5W30.

Hib, why is this? My understanding of why GM required 5w starting years ago was to assure a quicker lube to the bearings and a more controlled oil presure build. Has this changed?

 

['04 Torch Red]

Plug is in the front which will explain why you want the back higher.

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I have an '04 Corvette and my drain plug is on the right side of the oil pan (if you are sitting in the Vehicle.....) and also the vehicle SHOULD be level...

 

['04 Torch Red]

Hib, why is this? My understanding of why GM required 5w starting years ago was to assure a quicker lube to the bearings and a more controlled oil presure build. Has this changed?

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Your understanding is the same as my understanding...Mobil 5W30 is the correct weight oil to use in my opinion...

 

[DRTH VTR]

Hib, why is this? My understanding of why GM required 5w starting years ago was to assure a quicker lube to the bearings and a more controlled oil presure build. Has this changed?

I am not an expert, but this is my understanding of the issue. The 5/30 was needed for emissions tests at cold temperatures. The 5/30 has extra additives to enable it to achieve the thinner cold viscosity, but these are not of benefit during the vast majority of driving. I have also read that the 10/30 is the better oil to use in the C5.

 

['04 Torch Red]

I am not an expert, but this is my understanding of the issue. The 5/30 was needed for emissions tests at cold temperatures. The 5/30 has extra additives to enable it to achieve the thinner cold viscosity, but these are not of benefit during the vast majority of driving.
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"I have also read that the 10/30 is the better oil to use in the C5.

"
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Can you site the article pertaining to this so I can read it?..thanks

 

[DRTH VTR]

[QUOTE='04 Torch Red]"
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Can you site the article pertaining to this so I can read it?..thanks[/QUOTE]I will look. I can't promise anything, as I read a lot of Corvette oriented stuff. I would also suggest that Hib knows what he is talking about.

 

[Dellboy]

THe manual does say that the car should be level but try this. Let the oil drain for about 30 minutes on level ground, when its finished draining jack up the rear about 2 inches you will be suprised how much more oil comes out.

 

['04 Torch Red]

THe manual does say that the car should be level but try this. Let the oil drain for about 30 minutes on level ground, when its finished draining jack up the rear about 2 inches you will be suprised how much more oil comes out.

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OK I will do that..that will prove or disprove your theory...:L

 

[Nevets2004]

I will look. I can't promise anything, as I read a lot of Corvette oriented stuff. I would also suggest that Hib knows what he is talking about.

I gotta agree also. I've spent alot of time reading posts in these forums and alot of postings from Hib. He knows his stuff.

 

[rwlc5]

What does C4C5Specialist have to say about which weight of oil to use?

 

[Bioscache2]

I am not an expert, but this is my understanding of the issue. The 5/30 was needed for emissions tests at cold temperatures. The 5/30 has extra additives to enable it to achieve the thinner cold viscosity, but these are not of benefit during the vast majority of driving. I have also read that the 10/30 is the better oil to use in the C5.

Does this mean that those of us who live in the colder regions...say NY or CO should stick with the 5w30?

 

[Hib Halverson]

Hib, why is this? My understanding of why GM required 5w starting years ago was to assure a quicker lube to the bearings and a more controlled oil presure build. Has this changed?

That is not correct.
GM has specified 5W30 for almost all light-duty engines becuase it incrementally improves fuel economy. That helps GM make Federal CAFE standards. For long-term durability, which GM does not take into account with most light-duty engines, 5W30 is too light and has too much VI improvers to be a good choice. Also, in hot weather during extreme duty 5W30 is too light for good durability. Trust me, you go do stuff like track days in the summer and run 5W30 and you'll soon need to budget money for engine failures.

With few exceptions, mainly operation in extremely cold weather (such as Alaska, far northern MI, upper great plains, Maine or Canada), a better choice is always 10W30 synthetic oil. It has slightly higher viscosity and far less VI improvers. Mobil 1 10W30 is a good product. An ester-based synthetic, such as Red Line, is the best.

 

['04 Torch Red]

That is not correct.
GM has specified 5W30 for almost all light-duty engines becuase it incrementally improves fuel economy. That helps GM make Federal CAFE standards. For long-term durability, which GM does not take into account with most light-duty engines, 5W30 is too light and has too much VI improvers to be a good choice. Also, in hot weather during extreme duty 5W30 is too light for good durability. Trust me, you go do stuff like track days in the summer and run 5W30 and you'll soon need to budget money for engine failures.

With few exceptions, mainly operation in extremely cold weather (such as Alaska, far northern MI, upper great plains, Maine or Canada), a better choice is always 10W30 synthetic oil. It has slightly higher viscosity and far less VI improvers. Mobil 1 10W30 is a good product. An ester-based synthetic, such as Red Line, is the best.

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Can you please explain VI improvers..thanks

 

[DRTH VTR]

GM has specified 5W30 for almost all light-duty engines becuase it incrementally improves fuel economy.

Thanks for the clarification, Hib.