I recently purchased a 2003 Corvette C5, 68K miles, I am the third owner and the car is stock.
The previous owner picked it up when it had 26K miles, in 2006. He had it maintained at the Chevrolet dealer where purchased and provided me a print out of all maintenance conducted. The oil and filter were changed every 3-5K miles with M1 5W-30 and an AC Delco filer. The factory fill for the car is Mobil 1 and M1 5W-30 is indicated on the oil fill cap.
I live at 5,000 feet elevation in the Northeast Sierra mountain range, two miles up a 5% grade. We get snow and ice and it can stay around for a few weeks at a time. So the car may be garaged for a week to a month at a time. I drive 70-75 when the roads are clear. The temperature in the summer can get up to the high 90s/low 100s for a few weeks. "Town" is a 15 mile highway drive away and the monthly COSTCO run is a 140 mile round trip. The vehicle will see a 1,300 mile trip or two each year to San Diego, via the Sierra mountain range and the Mojave Desert. I expect the car to see 5-6K miles annually.
I plan on sticking with M1 in a 5W-30 grade and using a NAPA Gold filter FIL 1042 and changing annually in the fall. I am thinking of going with Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-30.
Stuff from the OM…
The engine requires a special engine oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this standard may be identified as synthetic, and should also be identified with the American Petroleum Institute Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. However, not all synthetic API oils with the starburst symbol will meet this GM standard. You should look for and use only oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M. SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W-30 if it’s going to be 0°F (-1 8°C) or above.
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the Engine Oil Life System (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). Reset the system. Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can vary considerable. For the oil life system to work properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is changed. When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON message will come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset. It is also important to check your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
Your thoughts are welcome…
Murman
The previous owner picked it up when it had 26K miles, in 2006. He had it maintained at the Chevrolet dealer where purchased and provided me a print out of all maintenance conducted. The oil and filter were changed every 3-5K miles with M1 5W-30 and an AC Delco filer. The factory fill for the car is Mobil 1 and M1 5W-30 is indicated on the oil fill cap.
I live at 5,000 feet elevation in the Northeast Sierra mountain range, two miles up a 5% grade. We get snow and ice and it can stay around for a few weeks at a time. So the car may be garaged for a week to a month at a time. I drive 70-75 when the roads are clear. The temperature in the summer can get up to the high 90s/low 100s for a few weeks. "Town" is a 15 mile highway drive away and the monthly COSTCO run is a 140 mile round trip. The vehicle will see a 1,300 mile trip or two each year to San Diego, via the Sierra mountain range and the Mojave Desert. I expect the car to see 5-6K miles annually.
I plan on sticking with M1 in a 5W-30 grade and using a NAPA Gold filter FIL 1042 and changing annually in the fall. I am thinking of going with Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-30.
Stuff from the OM…
The engine requires a special engine oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this standard may be identified as synthetic, and should also be identified with the American Petroleum Institute Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. However, not all synthetic API oils with the starburst symbol will meet this GM standard. You should look for and use only oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M. SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W-30 if it’s going to be 0°F (-1 8°C) or above.
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the Engine Oil Life System (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). Reset the system. Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can vary considerable. For the oil life system to work properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is changed. When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON message will come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset. It is also important to check your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
Your thoughts are welcome…
Murman
