[Nicholoso]

Any recommendations? I'm at close to 800 and was debating taking it in this week just to clear the break in oil and get some fresh oil in before starting to drive more aggressively.... also, to my knowledge we get first two years maintenance free? So will a dealer still honor that for an early oil change? Planning on taking it to les stanford in michigan as they service more vettes than any other dealer in metro detroit, in hopes they know what they're doing as far as checking oil levels on a z51 and what not. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks all!

 

[Derrick1812]

They will not honor the oil change early. You need to do yourself. I did at 1200 miles with Mobil 1 full synthetic

 

[Mobius]

Any recommendations? I'm at close to 800 and was debating taking it in this week just to clear the break in oil and get some fresh oil in before starting to drive more aggressively....

I think it's a good idea. You can get four oil changes during the first two years of ownership. Some dealers may do the change at low miles, others will not. Same with Mobile 1.

You may also want to ask them to check the differential fluid (low diff fluid has been a known issue on some Z-51s). I recently changed my own diff fluid at 4800 miles (non-Z51), and it was over half a quart low from the factory.

 

[Norm]

Took mine in the other day with 4400 on the clock, I get 4 free changes in the first two year period, dealer doesn't care about mileage or percentage interval. I advised if they would get Mobil 1, they did, no extra charge.

 

[jsvette]

I think it's a good idea. You can get four oil changes during the first two years of ownership. Some dealers may do the change at low miles, others will not. Same with Mobile 1.

You may also want to ask them to check the differential fluid (low diff fluid has been a known issue on some Z-51s). I recently changed my own diff fluid at 4800 miles (non-Z51), and it was over half a quart low from the factory.

Thanks for posting Mobius, I don't recall seeing others mention this with Non-Z51s. Worth having checked.

 

[53Vette]

The dealer changed mine at 500 kilometres.

 

[elegant]

Always change the oil and filter of every new vehicle we buy at 500 miles, then every 3,000 miles thereafter (yes, guilty to being an oil change fantastic, and have driven way over 1,000,000 miles without ever having an engine problem).

 

[Nicholoso]

Thanks everyone. Thanks mobius for the heads up on the differential fluid. I love how they include 4 oil changes lol. Synthetic or not I feel the oil should be changed a bit more frequently but then again in two years id use up the 4 regardless of miles pulling it out of storage for the winter.

 

[Jerry U]

Any recommendations? I'm at close to 800 and was debating taking it in this week just to clear the break in oil and get some fresh oil in before starting to drive more aggressively.... also, to my knowledge we get first two years maintenance free? So will a dealer still honor that for an early oil change? Planning on taking it to les stanford in michigan as they service more vettes than any other dealer in metro detroit, in hopes they know what they're doing as far as checking oil levels on a z51 and what not. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks all!

Appears to be up to the dealer on how they manage the 4 “free” oil changes. GM states something like "as required by the manual," which would say when it says to change on the monitor or 1 year, whichever comes first. Some have reported their dealer saying they will provide 4 and will use Mobile 1 and others only when it says and with whatever oil they have in their 55 gallon drums!
I decided to change my own after a forum poster reminded me the dealer may not have their trained C7 mechanic change the oil but a newbie! I was reminded of the one time when I had my 1st new car serviced by a dealer, a 1967 Corvair. The newbie was looking all under the car that was on a lift draining the oil. I asked what he was looking for and he said the filter! The filter on a Corvair is up top in the engine compartment! For my Z51, I also wanted to install two quality magnet drain plugs. I also get concerned with the mechanic lifting the Vette without my jack pads (that I supply.)
If I was going to have the dealer change the oil I would ask them to only install 9 quarts of oil and give you a quart to do yourself! I did that several times before I left it ½ quart low, where I will keep it. The checking procedure is perhaps longer than a newbie or a mechanic on commission (which most are) may want to spend. A recent forum post said the dealer only gets $35 from GM. If that is accurate, no one is getting a significant commission!
To check the level properly on a Z51 the engine oil must be hot, 175 + degrees. Then the engine shut off and wait a minimum of 5 to max 10 minutes. Then properly read the dip stick. That is not as easy as it sounds with new clean oil (or even used oil.) I have to check both sides of the dip stick several times and go out in the sun to see the level! Many forum reports mention overfills on Z51’s and oil dripping from the air cleaner etc.! It occurs from excess oil coming with the “burped” air from the oil tank. A dry sump, by definition, pulls a lot of air into the external oil tank as it drains the pan completely. The air has to go back into the engine. Oil mist also comes along, apparently an excess amount of overfilled.
Just some toughts as you requested, your choice.

 

[Geo Vette]

So you think oil is your car from the factory
is break in oil? Thought it was Mobil 1
Have 1700 on mine will wait till around
5000 to change. Per dealer's recommendation.
Geo Vette

 

[Nicholoso]

Appears to be up to the dealer on how they manage the 4 “free” oil changes. GM states something like "as required by the manual," which would say when it says to change on the monitor or 1 year, whichever comes first. Some have reported their dealer saying they will provide 4 and will use Mobile 1 and others only when it says and with whatever oil they have in their 55 gallon drums!
I decided to change my own after a forum poster reminded me the dealer may not have their trained C7 mechanic change the oil but a newbie! I was reminded of the one time when I had my 1st new car serviced by a dealer, a 1967 Corvair. The newbie was looking all under the car that was on a lift draining the oil. I asked what he was looking for and he said the filter! The filter on a Corvair is up top in the engine compartment! For my Z51, I also wanted to install two quality magnet drain plugs. I also get concerned with the mechanic lifting the Vette without my jack pads (that I supply.)
If I was going to have the dealer change the oil I would ask them to only install 9 quarts of oil and give you a quart to do yourself! I did that several times before I left it ½ quart low, where I will keep it. The checking procedure is perhaps longer than a newbie or a mechanic on commission (which most are) may want to spend. A recent forum post said the dealer only gets $35 from GM. If that is accurate, no one is getting a significant commission!
To check the level properly on a Z51 the engine oil must be hot, 175 + degrees. Then the engine shut off and wait a minimum of 5 to max 10 minutes. Then properly read the dip stick. That is not as easy as it sounds with new clean oil (or even used oil.) I have to check both sides of the dip stick several times and go out in the sun to see the level. Many forum reports of overfills on Z51’s and oil dripping from the air cleaner etc.! It occurs from excess oil coming with the “burped” air that comes from the oil tank. A dry sump, by definition, pulls a lot of air into the external oil tank as it drains the pan completely. The air has to go back into the engine. Oil mist also comes along, apparently an excess amount of overfilled.
Just some toughs as you requested, your choice.

A lot of great points. That's why I was debating going to les Stanford as they stock at least a dozen corvettes at all times and they service most of the vettes in the metro Detroit area. There's a good 2-3 closer dealers but to your point I doubt they service a lot of vettes so therefore I figured its worth the drive to go to someone that has the right people. Now I'm torn lol.

 

[Chip]

I think it's a good idea. You can get four oil changes during the first two years of ownership. Some dealers may do the change at low miles, others will not. Same with Mobile 1.

You may also want to ask them to check the differential fluid (low diff fluid has been a known issue on some Z-51s). I recently changed my own diff fluid at 4800 miles (non-Z51), and it was over half a quart low from the factory.

It is a very good idea to change out the diff. lube early as you did. Cheap insurance!

 

[Senior Chief ret]

I know this was in another thread about what oil to use, last year was Dexros? My dealer told me to use Mobile one for my 15 when i picked it up last Wednesday. Just an FYI

 

[ntonkin]

My dealer did it at 1000 miles with Mobile 1 and checked the differential oil level too, per my request. No problem at all.

 

[Jerry U]

So you think oil is your car from the factory
is break in oil? Thought it was Mobil 1
Have 1700 on mine will wait till around
5000 to change. Per dealer's recommendation.
Geo Vette

They do not use "break-in oil."
We just bought a new BMW 5X SUV for my wife. It comes with 4 years, 50,000 miles of free "everthing" service! They do not change oil until 10,000 miles on a very sophisticated twin turbo I6, with direct injection, double overhead cams each with variable timing! Talked to a fellow customer at the dealership while looking at cars and he told me that included a set of brake pads and rotors on his coupe!

 

[glen e]

They do not use "break-in oil."
We just bought a new BMW 5X SUV for my wife. It comes with 4 years, 50,000 miles of free "everthing" service! They do not change oil until 10,000 miles on a very sophisticated twin turbo I6, with direct injection, double overhead cams each with variable timing! Talked to a fellow customer at the dealership while looking at cars and he told me that included a set of brake pads and rotors on his coupe!

check again with the dealer, I think they have lowered the change on BMW's to 7500....it just went thru a policy change...anyway, ask...

 

[corvettor]

Had my first oil change yesterday 2889 miles. My oil life was at 62% dealer said they would not change i told them the car used almost 2 quarts of oil in the first 1500 miles. They agreed to change and do oil consumption check. They marked the dip stick and now i have to monitor oil. I had this issue with my 2001 Z06 due to hard oil rings. I figured they fixed this issue. Well the watching begins.

 

[rdslon01]

Had my first oil change yesterday 2889 miles. My oil life was at 62% dealer said they would not change i told them the car used almost 2 quarts of oil in the first 1500 miles. They agreed to change and do oil consumption check. They marked the dip stick and now i have to monitor oil. I had this issue with my 2001 Z06 due to hard oil rings. I figured they fixed this issue. Well the watching begins.

corvettor, I have some questions for you, please.

How did you break your car in during the first 30 miles?
Then, how did you break it in during the 30-500 mile range.
Finally, hiw did you break it in during the 500-1500 mile range?

Thanks!

 

[Tuner Boost]

So you think oil is your car from the factory
is break in oil? Thought it was Mobil 1
Have 1700 on mine will wait till around
5000 to change. Per dealer's recommendation.
Geo Vette

I assume he is referring to the first fill, no matter what oil it is will be full of the debris from the ring seating and factory assembly. You really want it out of the engine no longer than 1000 miles or you are contributing to premature wear as these metal particles continue circulating. The oil filter can only trap particles down to a certain micron in size...so a good deal of the fine particles are always circulating. ANyone that plans to keep their car for the long term will want that "break in" oil, no matter if M1 or syn blend, out by no longer than 1000 miles.

 

[dpmdc]

What we always did with our track cars is use an oil filter cutter and remove the canister and see what the filter was actually trapping. Good way to see if there is a bearing issue as well as the rest of the hard components. I plan on doing that with my Stingray. Just have to ask the service guy to save it for you. Bring a zip lock quart bag or a plastic bowl with a lid.