Opinions on Oil Life %...age vs miles.

Artos · 07-04-2019, 06:47 PM

What are the current thoughts on these new snazzy oils & the necessity of a change when driving very low miles??

My display reads only 15% & it has been a while since the last 0-40 change...dip stick is pretty darn clean / clear & only 1k miles. Being this is my first non daily driver it's something I never considered how the car would measure age of the oil. Do these synthetics require change due to age or am I gtg watching the miles only??

Heck, I change the oil in my company truck every 3 weeks on average!!

enzia35 · 07-04-2019, 06:58 PM

I would do yearly change at least.

unavailablezl1 · 07-04-2019, 07:38 PM

According to the warranty, you need to change at least every year. That is what I do. I bought mine in March 2017 and have 6700 miles on it. I drive it several times a month.

Ebbsnflows · 07-04-2019, 07:53 PM

For my "toys" that accrue very little annual mileage (typically 1000-1500 per yr), my rule of thumb has always been annual oil changes regardless of miles. Even that schedule is somewhat overkill. In years past, I've sent samples to Blackstone for analysis, and my results have always been at or or better than universal averages for all measureables.

Keep in mind, this is for purely spirited, street driven vehicles. If you track the car, that's an entirely different story.

Artos · 07-04-2019, 07:57 PM

Thanks...the worry wart in me couldn't handle letting it go for extreme time frames anyway. The next change / 411 they put on your windshield has traditionally always noted both max mileage / date whichever comes first.

Curious to how the car reads / understands / notifies you on the % of life left & if actual oil samples would indicate similar readings or breakdown.

Noreplacement · 07-04-2019, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebbsnflows

For my "toys" that accrue very little annual mileage (typically 1000-1500 per yr), my rule of thumb has always been annual oil changes regardless of miles. Even that schedule is somewhat overkill. In years past, I've sent samples to Blackstone for analysis, and my results have always been at or or better than universal averages for all measureables.

Keep in mind, this is for purely spirited, street driven vehicles. If you track the car, that's an entirely different story.

+1

Put 3500 km + ( 2200 miles + ) annually.
Change oil and filter before putting away for our good ol Canadian winter. So for me once a year with low miles.
Texas is year round. Jealous.

Alain · 07-04-2019, 08:12 PM

At least once a year and ALWAYS before you put it away for the winter. Never put the car to sleep for the winter with dirty oil in it.

Stephen12ZL1 · 07-04-2019, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alain

At least once a year and ALWAYS before you put it away for the winter. Never put the car to sleep for the winter with dirty oil in it.

the word "dirty" here is a point of huge differences in opinion & reality

LT4Greg · 07-04-2019, 11:04 PM

I go by time mostly because I don’t put enough miles on my Camaro or Chevy truck to warrant changing due to mileage!

Larrio Andretti · 07-04-2019, 11:49 PM

Just send out an oil sample to Blackstone Labs. They will analyze it and send you a report. Send them an email and they will send you a free oil sample kit. Send the sample in and get a report full of facts and no speculation.

waterman · 07-05-2019, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artos

Thanks...the worry wart in me couldn't handle letting it go for extreme time frames anyway. The next change / 411 they put on your windshield has traditionally always noted both max mileage / date whichever comes first.

Curious to how the car reads / understands / notifies you on the % of life left & if actual oil samples would indicate similar readings or breakdown.

FWIW, I'm 90% sure that I read somewhere that if you change your oil and even if you have very limited miles/use, that the algorithms in your "oil computer" would show 0% after 1 years time.

Sorry, I searched, but I just can't find that documentation.

ScatPack · 07-05-2019, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterman

FWIW, I'm 90% sure that I read somewhere that if you change your oil and even if you have very limited miles/use, that the algorithms in your "oil computer" would show 0% after 1 years time.

Sorry, I searched, but I just can't find that documentation.

https://lmgtfy.com/?iie=1&q=Camaro+o...or+calculation

sengli · 07-05-2019, 06:58 AM

I know my new ZL1, when delivered had only 150 miles, but it had sat an entire year at the dealers lot. When delivered the oil monitor was at like 23%. So time does cause it to count down. But this oil was very dirty (black in color) and I changed it first thing.

I too change my oil normally once a year , as I only drive 2500 miles per season normally.

Markoz28 · 07-05-2019, 07:26 AM

Once a year for me. Normally around October as that is when the car will be at the drag strip. Too hot here to race in the summer.

07-04-2019, 06:47 PM	#1
Artos Drives: A10 LT4 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Deep South TX Posts: 1,094	Opinions on Oil Life %...age vs miles. What are the current thoughts on these new snazzy oils & the necessity of a change when driving very low miles?? My display reads only 15% & it has been a while since the last 0-40 change...dip stick is pretty darn clean / clear & only 1k miles. Being this is my first non daily driver it's something I never considered how the car would measure age of the oil. Do these synthetics require change due to age or am I gtg watching the miles only?? Heck, I change the oil in my company truck every 3 weeks on average!!

07-04-2019, 06:58 PM	#2
enzia35 Drives: '16 Garnet Red 1SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 3,450	I would do yearly change at least. __________________ '16 Camaro 1SS '18 Miata GT Gone: '01 Camaro, '14 Camaro, '90 Miata

07-04-2019, 07:38 PM	#3
unavailablezl1 Drives: 2019 Silverado Z71 6.2L A10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Grapevine Posts: 2,075	According to the warranty, you need to change at least every year. That is what I do. I bought mine in March 2017 and have 6700 miles on it. I drive it several times a month. __________________ Current ride 2019 Silverado Z71 LTZ 6.2L L87 425hp A10, 4 inch BDS Lift with Fox Factory Race 2.5 Coilovers, Borla Cat back (15HP bump), BFG KM3's 33's. Past Rides 2017 M6 Camaro ZL1 Hyper Blue 2016 M6 GT350 White with blue strips 2014 M6 Mustang GT Premium Track Pack Ruby Red 2012 M6 M3 Melbourne Red Metallic

07-04-2019, 07:53 PM	#4
Ebbsnflows Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1-1LE Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Western NC Posts: 405	For my "toys" that accrue very little annual mileage (typically 1000-1500 per yr), my rule of thumb has always been annual oil changes regardless of miles. Even that schedule is somewhat overkill. In years past, I've sent samples to Blackstone for analysis, and my results have always been at or or better than universal averages for all measureables. Keep in mind, this is for purely spirited, street driven vehicles. If you track the car, that's an entirely different story. __________________ 2018 Camaro ZL1/1LE

07-04-2019, 08:12 PM	#7
Alain Drives: 2016 Challenger Hellcat, 2018 ZL1LE Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 3,003	At least once a year and ALWAYS before you put it away for the winter. Never put the car to sleep for the winter with dirty oil in it. __________________ 2016 Challenger Hellcat /B5 blue/Sepia interior/Brass Monkey Wheels/ 2018 ZL1 1LE/Red hot 2019 Shellby GT 350R/ Oxford white/ Matte Black Stripes/ Carbon Fiber Dash/ Electronics Package #413

07-04-2019, 07:57 PM	#5
Artos Drives: A10 LT4 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Deep South TX Posts: 1,094	Thanks...the worry wart in me couldn't handle letting it go for extreme time frames anyway. The next change / 411 they put on your windshield has traditionally always noted both max mileage / date whichever comes first. Curious to how the car reads / understands / notifies you on the % of life left & if actual oil samples would indicate similar readings or breakdown.

07-04-2019, 11:04 PM	#9
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,814	I go by time mostly because I don’t put enough miles on my Camaro or Chevy truck to warrant changing due to mileage! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

07-04-2019, 11:49 PM	#10
Larrio Andretti Drives: Really Fast Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: In The Woods Posts: 238	Just send out an oil sample to Blackstone Labs. They will analyze it and send you a report. Send them an email and they will send you a free oil sample kit. Send the sample in and get a report full of facts and no speculation. __________________ THIS SPACE FOR RENT

07-05-2019, 06:58 AM	#13
sengli Drives: 2015commemorative vert 2SS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: northern Indiana Posts: 949	I know my new ZL1, when delivered had only 150 miles, but it had sat an entire year at the dealers lot. When delivered the oil monitor was at like 23%. So time does cause it to count down. But this oil was very dirty (black in color) and I changed it first thing. I too change my oil normally once a year , as I only drive 2500 miles per season normally. __________________ 2018 ZL1 Bright Yellow, A10, PDR, sunroof, carbon hood, and dash- sold 2020 2SS A10 sunroof..shock and steel special-traded 2015 commemorative vert 2ss

07-05-2019, 07:26 AM	#14
Markoz28 Drives: 18 ZL1 nightfall grey A10 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: RGV Texas Posts: 1,527	Once a year for me. Normally around October as that is when the car will be at the drag strip. Too hot here to race in the summer.

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