Confused: ESP 0W40 not recommended for 1LE??
 

------- edit -------
The document indicates that the Mobil 1 ESP 0W40 is not suitable for ZL1's LT4 engine. The regular LT1 in the SS 1LE is fine according to this doc. My mistake reading it...
-------- /edit --------

I'm confused by this document that I happened across:
https://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...rint-1389.html

I have a 2018 1LE that we regularly do open lapping days and driving schools in. The car is awesome and I want it to last, so trying to go with the recommended fluids. I've read all over the place that Mobil 1 ESP 0w40 is the magical street/track oil that the 2019 Corvettes get, and that it should supersede the recommendations in the Camaro as well.

Last oil change was using GM part number 19370233, which is is listed in the linked document as being "Mobil 1 ESP 0w40". The asterisk indicates that "Mobil 1 ESP 0w40" is not recommended for 1LEs... Does anyone have insight to what the document is, what's real, and such?

Friso

It's not recommended for "A1Z" which is the RPO for 1LE on ZL1s, which have the LT4 engine and is probably only applicable for track use.

You're good to go on the SS 1LE

That link specifically has an asterisk for the ZL1 1LE, not 1LE in general. You have an SS 1LE, correct?

The track guide lists 15W-40 as the recommended oil for the ZL1 1LE for tracking presumably due to the higher lateral loads on that car.

Man - you guys are quick - thank you! I just re-read and noted the same. We're good in the LT1. I'll edit the top post so ppl don't have to read down to the bottom

Thanks and Cheers!

I run Valvoline 5W40 Dexos 2.

0W-40ESP is the new factory fill for the LT1 motor for 2019+. It allows you to use the same oil for daily use, as well as track use. I use it in my 1LE. No issues, and I dont have to swap it out for every track day

I just put in the ESP, wow they (mobil 1) really think highly of it. I could only get it in six packs, so of course, had to buy 2, each at over $50.

Any Dexos 2 approved oil speced 0/5W40 will be fine (if you also wish to conform to warranty requirements).
I like the Motul 8100X-Clean, 5W40, since I can also get it for a very low price through personal connections...

I think (key word) that if you go by the letter of the service manual, and the stated use case of the ESP oil, the advantage of using the ESP oil is that you can leave it in for track work and street, eliminating the service manual's stated requirement to change oil for the track and again back to street.

Now, I'm not an oil expert by any stretch of the imagination, and gear heads might scoff at the manual's suggestion and be totally justified in doing it.

I think you meant 15W50, and IIRC it was due to the amount of "throttle on Time" due to down force being higher so they require a thicker oil for the track.


All V8s can use 15W50 for the track, but the manual says to swap it out when you are done with the track. Where as for non ZL1 1LEs (ZLE's) we can use 0W40/5W40 Dexos 2 oil for the track.

Go to Mechanical Maintenance section there is a sticky there explaining everything anyone needs to know about Camaro oils. Cheers!

Good catch.. yes, meant 15w-50 in my earlier post.

Soooo...can someone confirm this question because it seems like everyone is confused. Ive got a 2018 ZL1 1LE with the LT4. Do I switch to the 0w-40 for daily driving (15w-50 for track)...OR...do I keep my 5w-30 for daily (15w-50) for track??? Thank you. I can't seem to get a straight answer from anyone, including my dealer.

You CAN switch to 0w-40 for daily driving purposes if you want to, but you do not HAVE to. If you want to keep using 5w-30 for daily driving and 15w-50 for track use only, that is acceptable. The ZL1 1LE requires (as I understand it from the performance manual) the use of 15w-50 for track duty.

The 5w-30 variants that are acceptable for the LT1/4 are far more numerous and usually cheaper than the 0w-40 ESP, so there is that.