oil change question on LS3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

pocketcthulhu · 01-28-2013, 03:47 PM

So I was flipping through the owner's manual looking for info on oil changes and I might be blind but I'm not seeing the point of when it needs to be changed, the dealership stuck the little come back and give us a wad of cash at 8000 miles sticker and I'm currently sitting at 8,950 but the oil life indicator reads 51% anyone have some solid info on this? changing 8 quarts of oil every 3k miles is gonna SUCK.

http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam...aro_owners.pdf

Bo White · 01-28-2013, 04:01 PM

I change mine at 5k miles or around 50% OLM.

axis · 01-28-2013, 04:05 PM

Some people just can't get past the old addage of every 3-5k miles. When we were all running dino oil, that would hold true but with todays synthetics, you can stretch that considerably longer. Some will change it more often but I read where Mobil 1 is suppose to be good for over 15k miles. That is for everyday DD driving. If you race often, you should change it more often. 8-10k miles should be fine for most situations. Another key is to get a good filter.

pocketcthulhu · 01-28-2013, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axis

Some people just can't get past the old addage of every 3-5k miles. When we were all running dino oil, that would hold true but with todays synthetics, you can stretch that considerably longer. Some will change it more often but I read where Mobil 1 is suppose to be good for over 15k miles. That is for everyday DD driving. If you race often, you should change it more often. 8-10k miles should be fine for most situations. Another key is to get a good filter.

I don't like changing it sooner than 5k miles but at 70 bucks a change Unless it's required I am So not changing it every 3k.
what's the standard oil dealers put in these? like I was saying I wasn't having much luck digging through that manual.

Mouse6.2 · 01-28-2013, 04:08 PM

Depends on how much you drive and where you drive, like mostly highway or mostly city or mixed. I would say every 8k miles is a good point in time to change out the oil. If you really want to know how far you can go and if the OLM is correct, send a sample off to get analyzed, like to BlackStone Labs. They will let you know how long you can go on an oil change.

Most keep it simple and just change out at 5k miles, make it easy to remember. Running a quality synthetic will allow you to go longer. But again it depends on your driving style and conditions. Someone that drives 30 miles to work and back on the highway can go longer on their oil changes than someone that drives 5 miles to work and back.

GM wants you to go by the OLM. If you do and you are going to go longer than 8k miles I would at least run a synthetic like AMSOIL or Mobil 1 Extended Performance. Most dealers just put in a synthetic blend dexos1 oil.

litle88 · 01-28-2013, 04:11 PM

I change it every 3k miles and don't believe the 5,10k miles BS about oil being ok.
Oh and please don't use Mobil1. I Use Amsoil on the L99 and Vr-1 on the ws6. Search for the oil thread it's here on the first 2 pages for info.

pocketcthulhu · 01-28-2013, 04:11 PM

I live about 6 miles from work on the other end of the freeway, about the only time I leave the Rock is to visit my parents who are 30 min's away by freeway, and a tank of gas lasts me Almost two weeks. So yea I don't exactly stress the engine a lot.

litle88 · 01-28-2013, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axis

Some people just can't get past the old addage of every 3-5k miles. When we were all running dino oil, that would hold true but with todays synthetics, you can stretch that considerably longer. Some will change it more often but I read where Mobil 1 is suppose to be good for over 15k miles. That is for everyday DD driving. If you race often, you should change it more often. 8-10k miles should be fine for most situations. Another key is to get a good filter.

Lol whaaaa you say?
Axis I love you BUT kill yourself for that one lmao.

JK

Mouse6.2 · 01-28-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocketcthulhu

I live about 6 miles from work on the other end of the freeway, about the only time I leave the Rock is to visit my parents who are 30 min's away by freeway, and a tank of gas lasts me Almost two weeks. So yea I don't exactly stress the engine a lot.

That driving style/condition I would not let it go past 8k miles. At least we have 2 gallons of oil in our sumps which helps make the oil last longer than smaller sump engines.

litle88 · 01-28-2013, 04:14 PM

6 mile drive can be stressful due to the fact that "IF" your not warming the engine long enough the oil properties are not working to protect your engine the way it should be.

pocketcthulhu · 01-28-2013, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mouse6.2

send a sample off to get analyzed, like to BlackStone Labs. They will let you know how long you can go on an oil change.
.

Hmmm I might just do that, seems very reasonable.

Bo White · 01-28-2013, 04:17 PM

Mercedes Benz use Mobil 1 and go 15k between services.

Mouse6.2 · 01-28-2013, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo White

Mercedes Benz use Mobil 1 and go 15k between services.

They use Mobil 1 Extended Performance. Not the Mobil 1. Two different oils.

Mouse6.2 · 01-28-2013, 04:23 PM

Case in point, my mother-in-law didn't put very many miles on her 95 Lincoln Mark VIII, it held 7 qts, at 3k miles in 1 year time frame, I sent a sample off to get analyzed. It came back that the oil was shot. Short distance driving is some of the worst conditions for an engine. Especially if you don't get it up to operating temp as litle88 has stated.

01-28-2013, 03:47 PM	#1
pocketcthulhu Drives: 2014 2ss/RS 5th gen Camaro #2 Join Date: May 2012 Location: arkansas Posts: 496 View My Garage	oil change question on LS3 So I was flipping through the owner's manual looking for info on oil changes and I might be blind but I'm not seeing the point of when it needs to be changed, the dealership stuck the little come back and give us a wad of cash at 8000 miles sticker and I'm currently sitting at 8,950 but the oil life indicator reads 51% anyone have some solid info on this? changing 8 quarts of oil every 3k miles is gonna SUCK. http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam...aro_owners.pdf __________________

01-28-2013, 04:01 PM	#2
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	I change mine at 5k miles or around 50% OLM. __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

01-28-2013, 04:05 PM	#3
axis Search Ninja Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Ark Posts: 7,183	Some people just can't get past the old addage of every 3-5k miles. When we were all running dino oil, that would hold true but with todays synthetics, you can stretch that considerably longer. Some will change it more often but I read where Mobil 1 is suppose to be good for over 15k miles. That is for everyday DD driving. If you race often, you should change it more often. 8-10k miles should be fine for most situations. Another key is to get a good filter. __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Halltech CF 102 fed GPI modded intake manifold Bo (knows) White ported TB Kooks LT's/ Dynomax VT Pfadted (springs/sways) Dyno tuned by Rhino and GPI I once parallel parked a train.

01-28-2013, 04:11 PM	#6
litle88 V8 Lounge member #2 Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burbank,IL Posts: 6,373	I change it every 3k miles and don't believe the 5,10k miles BS about oil being ok. Oh and please don't use Mobil1. I Use Amsoil on the L99 and Vr-1 on the ws6. Search for the oil thread it's here on the first 2 pages for info. __________________ 2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.

01-28-2013, 04:11 PM	#7
pocketcthulhu Drives: 2014 2ss/RS 5th gen Camaro #2 Join Date: May 2012 Location: arkansas Posts: 496 View My Garage	I live about 6 miles from work on the other end of the freeway, about the only time I leave the Rock is to visit my parents who are 30 min's away by freeway, and a tank of gas lasts me Almost two weeks. So yea I don't exactly stress the engine a lot. __________________

01-28-2013, 04:08 PM	#5
Mouse6.2 Drives: 2013 2SS/RS M6 NPP Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 340	Depends on how much you drive and where you drive, like mostly highway or mostly city or mixed. I would say every 8k miles is a good point in time to change out the oil. If you really want to know how far you can go and if the OLM is correct, send a sample off to get analyzed, like to BlackStone Labs. They will let you know how long you can go on an oil change. Most keep it simple and just change out at 5k miles, make it easy to remember. Running a quality synthetic will allow you to go longer. But again it depends on your driving style and conditions. Someone that drives 30 miles to work and back on the highway can go longer on their oil changes than someone that drives 5 miles to work and back. GM wants you to go by the OLM. If you do and you are going to go longer than 8k miles I would at least run a synthetic like AMSOIL or Mobil 1 Extended Performance. Most dealers just put in a synthetic blend dexos1 oil.

01-28-2013, 04:14 PM	#10
litle88 V8 Lounge member #2 Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burbank,IL Posts: 6,373	6 mile drive can be stressful due to the fact that "IF" your not warming the engine long enough the oil properties are not working to protect your engine the way it should be. __________________ 2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.

01-28-2013, 04:17 PM	#12
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	Mercedes Benz use Mobil 1 and go 15k between services. __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

01-28-2013, 04:23 PM	#14
Mouse6.2 Drives: 2013 2SS/RS M6 NPP Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 340	Case in point, my mother-in-law didn't put very many miles on her 95 Lincoln Mark VIII, it held 7 qts, at 3k miles in 1 year time frame, I sent a sample off to get analyzed. It came back that the oil was shot. Short distance driving is some of the worst conditions for an engine. Especially if you don't get it up to operating temp as litle88 has stated.