New Camaro owner, recommendations for oil and diff/trans fluid servicing?

[clutchkick]

Finally got a new-to-me 2SS 6MT, time to do my first oil change on it. Planning on running some autox and dd duties over the hot Florida summer, am I ok with a full synthetic 5w30? I was looking between mobil 1 penzoil and castrol, any reason I should go with one over the other? Also trans and rear diff was serviced ~35k miles ago, would they be due again given it will be driven somewhat hard? Thanks

[el ess A]

Full syn is good. Oil brands are all over the map...everyone has their favorite. Pick which one you like best and do regular OCIs. Personally, I went Mobil 1 front to back with my lubes and absolutely no issues. You'll get recommendations of which brands as long as your arm. If you get a high quality product, you shouldn't have any worries whichever brand you get. Just ensure it's the proper stuff for the proper place.

If the car is new to you, going through and changing fluids to a known brand and quality isn't a bad thing and establishes your new baseline. Oil is cheap compared to fixing broken parts.

If you use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF (Dexron III based) in your transmission, ensure you're using the proper stuff and NOT the Dexron VI fluid.

See pic for what it should look like.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Great info right here! ^^^ I have used Mobil 1 full syn since day one with my Camaro, 5W30, even now since she is cammed. I just change it every 3k miles because I do drive her with enthusiasm when we are out for a therapy session! And like mentioned above, everyone has their favorite.

[clutchkick]

Appreciate the info guys, and thanks for the heads up on the different ATFs!

[el ess A]

I know it sounds weird to use ATF in a manual transmission, but...

IIRC, the "manual transmission fluid", GM p/n 88861800, is essentially Dexron III. I might be misremembering something, but I think it's correct. ATF isn't just for automatics any more.

There may be options out there that people swear by, but the Mobil 1 ATF works just fine in the ZL1 M6. No need to change for me, personally. I could go with other brands, but Mobil 1 is available nearly everywhere, so that's a factor as well.

[Dave-G]

Originally Posted by el ess A

Full syn is good. Oil brands are all over the map...everyone has their favorite. Pick which one you like best and do regular OCIs. Personally, I went Mobil 1 front to back with my lubes and absolutely no issues. You'll get recommendations of which brands as long as your arm. If you get a high quality product, you shouldn't have any worries whichever brand you get. Just ensure it's the proper stuff for the proper place.

If the car is new to you, going through and changing fluids to a known brand and quality isn't a bad thing and establishes your new baseline. Oil is cheap compared to fixing broken parts.

If you use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF (Dexron III based) in your transmission, ensure you're using the proper stuff and NOT the Dexron VI fluid.

See pic for what it should look like.

Some of the best and most level headed advice I've seen on this crazy subject. Depending on what forum you go on, I've seen hell fire and brimstone fights over what oil people use. Some claim if you don't use 5/50 you'll destroy the engine due to fuel dilution. Others claim using anything but Amsoil will cause premature engine failure. I'm not so panicky on the issue, and use Mobil one in the recommended 5/30, but do my oil changes at 3-3,500 miles. Only reason I use Mobil one is because I've always used it, but I believe that any other top brand is every bit as good. It's the interval of service that gives you protection more than what brand you use. The recommendation to do a full fluid change across the board to establish a baseline is excellent advice.

[Infidel67]

Getting ready to do mine and flush the Transmission fluid out of my 2011 Camaro 2SS M6
So confusing on what to use, you best research it all over to make sure you're using the right stuff.

[gtstorey]

Owners manual calls for GM 8861800. Beyond that it's pretty much speculation that something else is better.

[el ess A]

Originally Posted by gtstorey

Owners manual calls for GM 8861800. Beyond that it's pretty much speculation that something else is better.

For me, it isn't speculation. I experienced some real-world improvement. The shifts are noticeably smoother using the Mobil 1 ATF multi-vehicle formula over the GM OEM fill. So that's what I'm sticking with. And mileage wasn't an issue since I did it with about 1,500 miles on the clock, and now it has around 2,500. I just went with Mobil 1 front to back. Very happy with it without any issues so far.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with using the GM fluid, either. Just depends on what you want to use. Just use quality fluids and the correct fluid for your application and you should do fine.