2013 V6 Camaro Oil Change Intervals - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2013ZL1FUN · 05-22-2023, 05:21 PM

I have a friend that has the previously described car. He drives about 10K a year. He is the original owner. I can't seem to stress the importance of oil changes with him. Just how expensive is a timing chain replacement, because that seems to be the main complaint of a car of this type.

Mr_Draco · 05-22-2023, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2013ZL1FUN

I have a friend that has the previously described car. He drives about 10K a year. He is the original owner. I can't seem to stress the importance of oil changes with him. Just how expensive is a timing chain replacement, because that seems to be the main complaint of a car of this type.

The 2012 and up V6 (the years with the LFX engine) so far have not had any timing chain issues as long as the engine is taken care off. As for cost, googling shows parts to range between $800-$1k depending on where you buy them and quality of the parts and 7-8 hours labor. Depending on labor costs in your area it would be around $2k total. Now this is assuming that when the chain goes it doesn't break other stuff like valves and pistons (I don't know if the LFX is a non-interference engine or not) which will raise the price substantially.

ariZona28 · 05-22-2023, 06:48 PM

Oil changes are cheap. Engines are expensive.

redcoats1976 · 05-22-2023, 07:24 PM

mine is changed every 5,000 miles,pretty sure thats what GM recommends.

joekono · 05-22-2023, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariZona28

Oil changes are cheap. Engines are expensive.

Amen ariZona28!!!

el ess A · 05-23-2023, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcoats1976

mine is changed every 5,000 miles,pretty sure thats what GM recommends.

I haven't seen anything that states a particular mileage for the affected V6 cars. Not saying there isn't. I'm just not aware if it is.

AFAIK, GM recommends going off the oil life monitor on all their passenger cars/trucks. While you can always set your own schedule, I believe GM recalled applicable V6 cars to reset the OLM settings to give notice sooner to change oil. Which may or may not equate to 5K miles. Not sure if that was a good idea or not, but I assume they thought that was the "fix".

ElderJ · 06-05-2023, 08:55 AM

2014 scheduled maintenance is 7,500 miles. I change mine around 5-6k since that's usually how much I put on it each year (if that).

I believe the timing chain issue due to oil starvation was rectified a few model years ago, but it's still an issue if you neglect it long enough.

xstuntman · 06-05-2023, 09:31 AM

Yep, the LFX in the Camaro did get the upgraded chains. If I had a '10 or '11 V6 I would use the best direct injection motor oil possible, the cleanable K&N oil filter, and likely change it every 2500 to 3000 miles. The oils gotta be rated for DI engines since these motors run FILTHY! I routinely run mine three quarters of a quart over too since you do not want those chains to ever be short on oil.

And I might be one of the lucky ones because I've read a lot on C5 about the sixes using oil but mines always the same level.

Badbubba · 06-07-2023, 07:40 AM

That year would be a LFX 3.6 engine, not the LLT 3.6 engine. GM upgraded the timing chain from the LLT to the LFX. The timing chain pins/holes would wear, thus stretching the timing chain. This is caused by the higher fuel dilution in the oil from direct injection. Our '15 Equinox has the LFX. When I change the oil, the viscosity is low and has a slight gas smell. Almost 140k miles at ~7.5k mile oil change intervals. So far, so good. Supertech 5W30 with AC Delco PF 63 oil filter. Filter could be different on the Camaro. Should use Dexos branded oil.

Nenous1 · 06-08-2023, 11:13 AM

I always change my oil every 3000 miles and clean both pcv...

Dave-G · 06-09-2023, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nenous1

I always change my oil every 3000 miles and clean both pcv...

As do I. Right at 3-3,500 miles and it gets changed with Mobil one full syn. I consider it cheap insurance.

PaulsSS · 06-09-2023, 11:24 AM

6K with todays oils are a safe bet.

Dave-G · 06-09-2023, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulsSS

6K with todays oils are a safe bet.

I absolutely agree. My concern is fuel dilution and loss of critical viscosity, so I err on the side of caution.

Trawz · 06-09-2023, 12:05 PM

Nothing bad can happen from changing the oil "too often" except for spending more on oil.
Even with the high quality of today's synthetic oils and how long they can last between needed changes.
My wife's new Toyota goes 10,000 miles between changes, which blew my mind initially but apparently that's pretty common for newer cars.
I still change mine every 3,000-ish miles or less because of track time and simply wanting the thing to last.

05-22-2023, 05:21 PM	#1
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 499	2013 V6 Camaro Oil Change Intervals I have a friend that has the previously described car. He drives about 10K a year. He is the original owner. I can't seem to stress the importance of oil changes with him. Just how expensive is a timing chain replacement, because that seems to be the main complaint of a car of this type. __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO

05-22-2023, 06:48 PM	#3
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,233	Oil changes are cheap. Engines are expensive. __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

06-05-2023, 09:31 AM	#8
xstuntman Drives: 2012 Victory Red LFX Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: west central Texas Posts: 1,310	Yep, the LFX in the Camaro did get the upgraded chains. If I had a '10 or '11 V6 I would use the best direct injection motor oil possible, the cleanable K&N oil filter, and likely change it every 2500 to 3000 miles. The oils gotta be rated for DI engines since these motors run FILTHY! I routinely run mine three quarters of a quart over too since you do not want those chains to ever be short on oil. And I might be one of the lucky ones because I've read a lot on C5 about the sixes using oil but mines always the same level. __________________ 2018 SS wheels, red Heritage grille, actual driving lights, ZL1 strut tower brace, GM Performance billet aluminum fuel door, front grille Bowtie delete, painted red rotors and calipers, 1/4 window American Flags, splash guards, AEM dry panel air filter.

06-07-2023, 07:40 AM	#9
Badbubba GrINned & JUICEd Drives: 15STI, 10Expy, 10 2SS/RS M6, 47KB1 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,247	That year would be a LFX 3.6 engine, not the LLT 3.6 engine. GM upgraded the timing chain from the LLT to the LFX. The timing chain pins/holes would wear, thus stretching the timing chain. This is caused by the higher fuel dilution in the oil from direct injection. Our '15 Equinox has the LFX. When I change the oil, the viscosity is low and has a slight gas smell. Almost 140k miles at ~7.5k mile oil change intervals. So far, so good. Supertech 5W30 with AC Delco PF 63 oil filter. Filter could be different on the Camaro. Should use Dexos branded oil. __________________ GPI SS3 Cam & stuff,N.O. Plate(dedicated fuel tank,progressive,fuel hose upgrade,remote opener,heater,console switches),LNC2000,CTAP,ARH 1 7/8" LTs/gutted cats/X pipe/mufflers,Jet Hot coated LTs,GPI HPT Tune,CAI, Scoop,Rx Catch Can,Gates heater hose relocation, Remote clutch & auto brake res,Metco loop,Momentum Tunnel Brace,TSW Nurb 18",555 & 05,Pfadt trailing arms & toe rods,Autometer WB,Fesler Pillar Pod,LED strips (int),Lloyds floor & trunk mats,LED DRL/front turn & license plate,DRL harness,VLEDs tail lights,Plasticoat Bowties. Ord: Oct 5, 2009 Rec: Nov 19, 2009 13.17@112.6 stock

06-09-2023, 12:05 PM	#14
Trawz Drives: 2013 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 243 View My Garage	Nothing bad can happen from changing the oil "too often" except for spending more on oil. Even with the high quality of today's synthetic oils and how long they can last between needed changes. My wife's new Toyota goes 10,000 miles between changes, which blew my mind initially but apparently that's pretty common for newer cars. I still change mine every 3,000-ish miles or less because of track time and simply wanting the thing to last. __________________ 2013 1SS/1LE Corsa Extreme cat-back, Speed Engineering LT Headers with black ceramic coating, C7 Z06 Front Brake Upgrade, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, BMR Tunnel Brace, Mishimoto Oil Catch Can, MSD Plug Wires, Mishimoto Radiator and Hoses.

05-22-2023, 07:24 PM	#4
redcoats1976 Drives: LT W/2LT,blue metallic Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: central florida Posts: 4,915	mine is changed every 5,000 miles,pretty sure thats what GM recommends.

06-05-2023, 08:55 AM	#7
ElderJ Drives: 2014 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Central Florida Posts: 372	2014 scheduled maintenance is 7,500 miles. I change mine around 5-6k since that's usually how much I put on it each year (if that). I believe the timing chain issue due to oil starvation was rectified a few model years ago, but it's still an issue if you neglect it long enough.

06-08-2023, 11:13 AM	#10
Nenous1 Drives: 2011 Camaro rs Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: NC Posts: 65	I always change my oil every 3000 miles and clean both pcv...

06-09-2023, 11:24 AM	#12
PaulsSS Drives: 15SS Camaro Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: US Posts: 346	6K with todays oils are a safe bet.