LS3 Corvette - old oil, low miles

[Oldswagon]

My dad just bought a 2012 Corvette convertible with an LS3 engine. The car was put in service Aug 2012. It was won as a prize and traded by the new owner shortly afterwards. The car has been sitting ever since in a showroom. It only has about 500 miles on the car, most of which were the highway trip to the dealer where it was traded.

What would the best practice to do with this oil in the sump? Should we just change it out due to the age, or will it still be in decent shape?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[AP9]

I'd change it since it's probably factory fill.

 

[Huie83]

Whenever I purchase a new "used" car I always change the oil. Although it is almost a new car, it has been sitting for a long time with many short starts in between I'm sure. Piece of mind knowing exactly what is in it, especially on such an expensive car as a Corvette.

 

[901Memphis]

The oil is fine but getting the break in metals out is a good idea. Gm engines have a pretty robust copper and iron output for the first 30k with the FF being the highest.

 

[ZeeOSix]

The Corvette owner's manual says to change oil per the Oil Life Monitor (OLM,) or after 1 year ... whichever comes first. The oil and filter is probably OK to use for a bit, but might as well just change it to be safe. I've went 18~20 months between oil & filter changes before because my Vette sits over the winter and I don't put a lot of mile on it. Doubt it really hurt anything, and I've had the valve covers off and it looks clean as new inside. I wouldn't put it over that though.

 

[901Memphis]

If this wasn't the FF it would be a totally different story but you will see the things floating in it if you drain it and look close.

 

[oldhp]

+1 Warm it up, change it out. Now you know what kind of oil and when it was last changed.

 

[Oldswagon]

Just as a note, this IS the factory fill oil, and I know it has only 500 miles on it. On the dipstick it appears like new oil (yes I am aware oils appearance isn't a good indicator).

You guys confirmed what I was thinking. We'll change it out now to be on the safe side since the oil has been in the sump so long. Any recommendations for a good oil to use in an LS3 that is still breaking in?

 

[tightwad]

check the owner's manual. maybe it says Mobil 1 5w30?

 

[Oldswagon]

The owners manual specifies a 5W30 oil that meets the Dexos1 certification. They mention that Mobil 1 or AC/Delco semi-synthetic in the owners manual. I was leaning toward Mobil 1 5W30, but I wasn't sure if there was a better option for the break-in period that still meets the Dexos1 requirements.

Does anyone know what GM uses as a factory fill in these engines?

 

[Mach1Owner]

GM uses Mobil 1 for Corvette FF.

 

[fdcg27]

Since this engine is still on the FF for more than a year after being put in service, you might have some warranty problems if anything happens.
Personally, I'd run this oil another thousand or so, to pick up the major debris and then change it.
Can't go wrong with Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum, Pennzoil Ultra Platinum, Quaker State Ultimate Durability, Syntec, Synpower, Edge or any other 5w30 synthetic that claims to meet Dexos 1.
You're from Ontario?
What synthetic claiming Dexos 1 compliance can you buy locally at a reasonable price?

 

[Mach1Owner]

Are you sure the dealer never changed the oil? They normally do that regularly for cars on their lot.

 

[barkingspider]

Drive it to 1000 miles and change the oil and filter then. Use a synthetic 5w30, any brand you choose will work fine, and enjoy that C6. Congrats!

 

[A_Harman]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Personally, I'd run this oil another thousand or so, to pick up the major debris and then change it.


That's exactly what I was thinking. Mobil 1 5w30 is just fine, but if it's expensive in Canada, I think PetroCanada makes a dexos-certified 5w30.

 

[Oldswagon]

Thanks, I will just stick with Mobil 1 5W30 then. It goes on sale fairly regularly here so I stock up when it's cheap. I already use Mobil 1 in my other vehicles.

 

[Phishin]

Mobil 1 0w40 if it was mine.

And don't make remark about warranty issues.

 

[Patman]

If it were me I would change it and I would stick with Mobil 1 5w30, which was still the factory fill in 2012. (they have since switched to the AC Delco semi synthetic blend)

 

[SilverC6]

I'd dump the existing oil and replace with 5w30 Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum.

I guess the GM4718m spec that was important to my old 2005 C6 has faded into the sunset.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Patman
If it were me I would change it and I would stick with Mobil 1 5w30, which was still the factory fill in 2012. (they have since switched to the AC Delco semi synthetic blend)


Is the Mobil 1 5w30 EP Dexos approved?