Oil Change Interval for Low Use 10 Quart Mobil 1 Corvette

[BIC]

2015 Corvette LT1 engine with 10 quarts Mobil 1 oil in a dry sump system. 18,000 miles, maybe about 1,500 miles per year. Was getting oil changed once a year at Chevy dealer; now wondering if I can go longer. About 1,400 miles and 15 months since last change.

If I drive it, including at least monthly during the winter (30*-50*F), I usually make sure oil temp gets up to full operating temperature for at least 20 minutes. Takes a while to get 10 quarts there in the winter. The OLM kicks off no later than one-year, regardless of how it's been driven. Wondering if I can wait until spring for the next oil change, which would be about a 20 month interval? Thanks.

 

[Hoster987]

I would wait (especially with 10 qtrs) but your car / your money And sounds like you are burning off all that moisture on a monthly basis which is good.

Why don't you send a sample for an analysis (either now or after 20 months) for peace of mind.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

What kind of driving conditions?

 

[DriveHard]

What kind of driving conditions?

This...is it 1500 miles of track time, joy riding, or leaf peeping...

Mine gets it once a year, but I do it myself, and I put about double that mileage on, with several AutoX sessions mixed in.

 

[Cujet]

The idea that oil goes bad over time is utter nonsense. Yes, if sitting on a shelf for 20 years, there can be some separation. But that's not the case here. What about transmissions? Do they require annual fluid changes? Or is that 'oil' somehow able to last decades without any issues?

Answer to the original question, I'd change it at 5000 mile intervals, given normal use, regardless of time. The dry sump 10q capacity really means you could go even longer in normal use.

 

[nwjones18]

I'd let it go 2 years myself. Thats what I do with my F-150. I want to get under it at least that often to give everything a look.

 

[Urshurak776]

Send in a sample after a good run of getting oil nice and hot (at the one year point.) See what it says.

 

[cheesepuffs2]

The idea that oil goes bad over time is utter nonsense. Yes, if sitting on a shelf for 20 years, there can be some separation. But that's not the case here. What about transmissions? Do they require annual fluid changes? Or is that 'oil' somehow able to last decades without any issues?

Answer to the original question, I'd change it at 5000 mile intervals, given normal use, regardless of time. The dry sump 10q capacity really means you could go even longer in normal use.

Transmissions (or differentials for that matter) aren't subject to combustion by-product like engine oil is.

 

[BIC]

What kind of driving conditions?

Average day-to-day suburban driving. My wife & I have three cars and are retired with no place to drive on a daily basis. With the Corvette, it's usually, "haven't driven it in two weeks, let's take it today." I do like to utilize the full 460 HP for brief bursts (say an Interstate on-ramp) without getting into any trouble.

 

[CarlB]

The idea that oil goes bad over time is utter nonsense. Yes, if sitting on a shelf for 20 years, there can be some separation. But that's not the case here. What about transmissions? Do they require annual fluid changes? Or is that 'oil' somehow able to last decades without any issues?

Answer to the original question, I'd change it at 5000 mile intervals, given normal use, regardless of time. The dry sump 10q capacity really means you could go even longer in normal use.

I might believe your first sentence if oxidation didn't exist.

 

[Cujet]

Transmissions (or differentials for that matter) aren't subject to combustion by-product like engine oil is.

And of course, infrequent use does not subject 10 quarts of motor oil to significant levels of combustion by products either.

M1, 5W-30 EP has, I think, a TBN of 8.6. More than good enough to protect the engine for years of infrequent use.

It is almost like many of the folks here have never torn down an engine for any reason. Due to my various careers, I've disassembled plenty of engines, some of which were horribly abused. You know what I never find in automotive engines? Bearing or crankshaft corrosion due to infrequent oil changes.

 

[Cujet]

Doubletap

 

[Tdog02]

If you need help putting miles on the Corvette, I'm your guy.

Seriously, 2 years won't cause any issues at all with those miles you put on it. Most importantly you get everything up to operating temps. Second, that's a full 10 quarts (2 1/2 gallons) and unless you suspect sludging, you could likely go even longer on the oil change interval. And you owe us a pic of that beautiful ride.

 

[OilStainedNapkin]

I believe blackstone has stated in the past that time does not affect oil. I’d personally go by miles

 

[Ayrton]

I have two Mercedes I put about 1000 miles on per year (at most). I'm probably going to do 24-30 months on them.

They both actually went SEVEN years recently, but each with only 2000 miles total. Mobil 1 0w-40. I'm using them more now (thus the 1000 mile per year estimate).

I sure wish I had sent the seven year oil for analysis.

These have a 8 quart sump, which should have helped too.

 

[SevenBizzos]

This is two year OCI's all day.

 

[DFWoilguy]

You'll be fine with your vette. I only change the oil in my sludgy 82 trans am once a year!!! And not even 1000 miles a year if at all that

I've been running Castrol GTX HM 10W-40 and no issues at all !!

 

[Pablo]

Dollars to donuts a 2 year UOA would show nothing exciting assuming engine is in good working order.

As long as you get it hot each drive, 2 years should be fine.

 

[Patman]

I did two year OCIs with my old 2005 Corvette and the UOAs were pretty good.

 

[kschachn]

Transmissions (or differentials for that matter) aren't subject to combustion by-product like engine oil is.

And engine oil is only subject to combustion by-products if it is being operated.