[2023ZL1RapidBlue]

Hey there,

I bought my ZL1 back in 2023 with 0 miles. I followed the track prep guide so I change the engine oil at:

500 miles
then, at 1,500 miles.

My car now has 4,200 miles and I noticed that the oil level is down to half on the dipstick, meaning half a quart is gone.

I'd like to think rings will still wear in but I know this happens within the first few hundred miles , but I'm hopeful. I do plan on changing the oil about every 3k miles or less depending on how much I track the car. So, if it only goes down 1/2 quart in 3,000 miles, then I'm OK with it, I guess. If consumption gets worse, then we got issues.

For those long term owners that have a lot more miles than I do, what is your oil level like in between oil change intervals?

[Stephen12ZL1]

on track my car will use about a 1/3 of a quart per track day. Oil will volatilize when oil temps rise and you will lose volume that way and possibly through ring sealing issues. Everyone here will have varying amounts of oil loss between change intervals. Monitor and consult the dealer if it becomes extreme.

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by 2023ZL1RapidBlue

I noticed that the oil level is down to half on the dipstick, meaning half a quart is gone.

Some folks have noticed that the indicated level on the dipstick can vary significantly (same that you saw) depending on whether the car was checked hot shortly after running vs cold after an overnight. I've seen it too on my car, which doesn't burn any oil. I presume this is because some oil in the top of the motor is slow to drain back to the pan. So I always check it cold.

[Megahurtz]

I've never owned an LS or LT motor that didn't burn about 1/4 - 1/2 quart of oil every 5000 miles or so, regardless of the break in procedure. If you drive the car hard it's going to burn a little bit of oil no matter what. My 2023 hasn't shown any concerning trends but I only have 3000 miles on it. On its second oil change (1st-600mi, 2nd-2400mi) it was about 1/4 quart low. So far after another 1000 miles it hasn't used any discernable amount of oil.

Additionally if you're checking the oil right after you turn the car off, the level won't be accurate because of all of the oil that is up top in the engine. Check the oil when hot and give it 15-20 minutes after you shut it off before you check it.

Anyhow, 1/4 of a quart every 2000-3000 miles isn't alarming at all and would be considered normal. My C7 Z06 with 30K on the clock burns 1/2 quart every 4000 miles. Zero issues. I drive that car real hard.

[Tyrolblue67]

Hi,
I have a 2019 non 1LE.
This is how I get consistent/accurate oil level readings.
Make sure the car is on a level surface.
I always take measurements in the same spot in my garage.
I always do it after the car sits parked for at least an hour.
I always pull the dipstick completely out of the tube.
I wipe the dipstick dry and let it sit out of the car for at least 10 minutes.
This lets any residual oil in the dipstick tube drain back into the pan.
I found if you don't do this, the residual oil left in the tube that will give inaccurate oil level readings.
I do my own oil changes.
When I drain the out the old oil, I let it drip for at least an hour to make sure it's completely drained.
I fill in 9.5 quarts and slowly add in the last 1/2 quart after driving it for a couple miles. Taking readings using the above process.
My car has always taken the complete 10 quarts.
Doing the above procedure, the dipstick always shows oil at halfway on the hashmark area of the dipstick. This according to my 2019 owners manual indicates that it's full.
Just thought I'd share.
Tyrolblue67

[2023ZL1RapidBlue]

Originally Posted by Megahurtz

I've never owned an LS or LT motor that didn't burn about 1/4 - 1/2 quart of oil every 5000 miles or so, regardless of the break in procedure. If you drive the car hard it's going to burn a little bit of oil no matter what. My 2023 hasn't shown any concerning trends but I only have 3000 miles on it. On its second oil change (1st-600mi, 2nd-2400mi) it was about 1/4 quart low. So far after another 1000 miles it hasn't used any discernable amount of oil.

Additionally if you're checking the oil right after you turn the car off, the level won't be accurate because of all of the oil that is up top in the engine. Check the oil when hot and give it 15-20 minutes after you shut it off before you check it.

Anyhow, 1/4 of a quart every 2000-3000 miles isn't alarming at all and would be considered normal. My C7 Z06 with 30K on the clock burns 1/2 quart every 4000 miles. Zero issues. I drive that car real hard.

The half a quart low is on a cold check. The car's been sitting For the winter so a very cold check lol.

As a new LT owner, I appreciate your first opening sentence. I had no idea that LT/LS burned oil. Good to know. Also, the comparison with your C7 puts me at ease.

Everyone else, thanks foe your input, seems we're all on the same page with burning oil numbers.

[radz28]

I don't drive my car often, but when I do, it's pretty hard. My oil always times-out (I use the oil life monitor), rather than from mileage or anything. After almost 5-years of ownership, I have less than 4K-miles on the car, so with that qualification, it's easy to see why I always time-out. He doesn't burn much oil, that can be verified on the dipstick, but my catchcan catches about 1-2 tablespoons every oil change (which usually runs from about 9-11 months on E85).

I, too, have experienced oil burning on LS-engines. It could be as much as a half-quart every 1500 miles in my '02 Z28. I DID notice it seemed to consume more after I installed a 4000-stall Yank TC in him.

All of these engines burn some oil.

[bootss]

The LT4 has a history of using a good amt of oil. Obviously influenced by your driving habits. If you're doing pulls and hard RPM driving, you will use oil. One quart every 2K miles is considered normal. You are under the GM spec for oil consumption.

[2023ZL1RapidBlue]

Originally Posted by Tyrolblue67

Hi,
I have a 2019 non 1LE.
This is how I get consistent/accurate oil level readings.
Make sure the car is on a level surface.
I always take measurements in the same spot in my garage.
I always do it after the car sits parked for at least an hour.
I always pull the dipstick completely out of the tube.
I wipe the dipstick dry and let it sit out of the car for at least 10 minutes.
This lets any residual oil in the dipstick tube drain back into the pan.
I found if you don't do this, the residual oil left in the tube that will give inaccurate oil level readings.
I do my own oil changes.
When I drain the out the old oil, I let it drip for at least an hour to make sure it's completely drained.
I fill in 9.5 quarts and slowly add in the last 1/2 quart after driving it for a couple miles. Taking readings using the above process.
My car has always taken the complete 10 quarts.
Doing the above procedure, the dipstick always shows oil at halfway on the hashmark area of the dipstick. This according to my 2019 owners manual indicates that it's full.
Just thought I'd share.
Tyrolblue67

Funny, about the dipstick part. I do that also with the dipstick out for a little while. ON other vehicles I have, I actually check both with the dipstick in 1 way and then the other way.

[Badmojo]

Anywhere in the hashed area is normal, but I would run it at the top of the hashes for track duty after the appropriate wait times to check.

[WhiteMale]

just casual observation on my part but less oil use with my LT4 than the previous LT1. 17K and 18 months I'm not sure I've added any oil between changes and I WOT the car nearly every day and hit 100+.
I know my LT1 would puff at the tailpipes on startup, and it had a very minor leak at the oil pan that wasn't hard to fix.

[Caerus]

Originally Posted by Tyrolblue67

I wipe the dipstick dry and let it sit out of the car for at least 10 minutes.
This lets any residual oil in the dipstick tube drain back into the pan.
I found if you don't do this, the residual oil left in the tube that will give inaccurate oil level readings.

Very astute observation. I agree for the most accurate measurement, this process is helpful. I tried both ways. Quick way I get a fairly imprecise full measurement, but good enough. Let the tube drain and I get 3/4 reading. I changed oil/filter at 1,500 and have 4,500 miles and maybe down to the 3/4 reading. So hardly any oil use so far. Have not reset oil life meter and it indicated 11%. Plan on changing it soon.