C8 First Oil change

[harshadt]

There is still a lot of confusion based on our use of different terminology and the dates involved and the "free services". I hope I am not adding to the confusion but I have spoken to three Chevrolet Service Managers here and they are all in agreement as far as service required, but oddly had a slight variation in "free" services that differed based on years of the C8.

Terminology: There is engine oil/filter, a DCT cannister filter, and DCT fluid. They all have separate schedules. There is no such thing as "DCT service". We need to be specific in which DCT service in our discussions.
1. Engine oil/filter at 12,000 km or based on Oil Life System but MUST BE CHANGED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.
2. DCT cannister filter. First at 12,000 km and then AT 36,000 and every 36,000 km after. The wording in the manual note 5 implies after 36,000km ie 36,000 plus 12,000 so 48,000 but that is wrong and all the Service Managers agreed AT 36,000
3. DCT Fluid. With/without monitor its at most 72,000 km but most of us are low mileage so Note 4 EVERY 3 YEARS.
The manual provides a suggestion that if doing a DCT fluid change and close to the DCT cannister change, do both.

OK so a little discussion: I am under 12,000 km a year so will change the Engine Oil/Filter yearly just before storage.
Since I am not driving 12,000 km a year, I will not base DCT Fluid schedule on mileage so need to change it EVERY 3 YEARS. GM lines up the DCT cannister filter with the DCT Fluid based on mileage but I will never get there so my decision (after first DCT cannister change) is to just do DCT cannister and DCT fluid at the same time.
So my schedule is very simple: Engine oil/Filter once a year. DCT Cannister AND DCT fluid once every 3 years so October 2024, October 2027 etc. I will do the first DCT cannister change at about 12,000 km at the same time as I need Engine oil and DCT fluid.

Free: 2021 I have received 2 free LOF and had both done. 2021 there was no free DCT cannister change.
2022 it gets weird because some Service Managers indicated there is a free DCT cannister change but its date based for 1 year only. One Service Manager stated if you take advantage of the "free" DCT cannister change and have just a few thousand kilometers you should do it again at 12,000 not free. The others told me you can change the DCT filter early to take advantage of the free service but don't wait till after 12,000 km. Finally my best advice is to call your Service Manager and discuss since this post probably did not help.

I had to educate the service department at my dealership since my C8 was one of the first in Northwestern Ontario, and they had no clue about the DCT filter and fluid schedules. So don’t rely on your service department to know best!

 

[kvette23]

I did mine at 750 miles. I knew we were driving to the bash back in April and I wanted fresh oil for the long drive down and back. Cost me 150 at my dealership. It was great peace of mind.

Which dealership was this at? Thank you

 

[meyerweb]

From everything I have read, you must take the DCT filter change with your 1st free oil change. I don’t want to use my DCT filter change at 3000kms when it will need to be done on my dime at 12K.

I will just pay for the oil change and wait to use my freebie oil change/DCT filter change when I actually need it.

In the US at least, you can pay for the first oil change yourself, and then get the free oil and filter change later, as long as it's within the 2 year time limit. I admit I don't know if it's the same in Canada.

 

[kvette23]

I was at Applewood Chevrolet in Mississauga to get more details on the 2 Complimentary LOF (Lube-Oil-Filter) Program for MY 2023 C8 and I took the Home Office Letter with me. They confirmed that I will get the free DCT filter service and that I can also use it anytime within the 2 year period along with either of the free oil changes.
My in service date is Feb 17 2023, I now have 1850Kms and will probably have another 1000Kms before winter storage and am planning to avail one free oil change before storage.
I will most likely use my 2nd free oil change in October of 2024.
So the big question is should I use the free DCT filter service this October (2023) when I have ~3000 Kms or next October (2024) when I probably will have guessing ~8000 Kms
Is it better to do it earlier to perhaps eliminate any metal particles from the transmission break-in ?
I am also planning to have the transmission fluid topped up to the track setting, how much additional fluid will I need and what would the estimated cost be?
Oh and I was told that I need to book the service 2 weeks in advance so that they can order DCT filter service parts and to expect to leave the car for the day if I want (Oil Change + DCT filter service + top up of transmission fluid to track setting)

 

[Murray20c8]

I was at Applewood Chevrolet in Mississauga to get more details on the 2 Complimentary LOF (Lube-Oil-Filter) Program for MY 2023 C8 and I took the Home Office Letter with me. They confirmed that I will get the free DCT filter service and that I can also use it anytime within the 2 year period along with either of the free oil changes.
My in service date is Feb 17 2023, I now have 1850Kms and will probably have another 1000Kms before winter storage and am planning to avail one free oil change before storage.
I will most likely use my 2nd free oil change in October of 2024.
So the big question is should I use the free DCT filter service this October (2023) when I have ~3000 Kms or next October (2024) when I probably will have guessing ~8000 Kms
Is it better to do it earlier to perhaps eliminate any metal particles from the transmission break-in ?
I am also planning to have the transmission fluid topped up to the track setting, how much additional fluid will I need and what would the estimated cost be?
Oh and I was told that I need to book the service 2 weeks in advance so that they can order DCT filter service parts and to expect to leave the car for the day if I want (Oil Change + DCT filter service + top up of transmission fluid to track setting)

Follow the manual as much as possible.

 

[Cannonball Rally]

okay - so basically on my 2023 I get two free oil changes and a DCT Filter Service. Like many have already said it would be a huge stretch to hit 12k in three years so can I not just ask for the filter at the dealership and hang onto it for when I do hit 12k? I cannot see the benefit of doing it when chances are I might see 2400km per year tops. I agree with oil changes once a year as part of the ownership experience, but I am just not 100% on doing a DCT service when it is not due until 12k which for me likely will be 5 years. I will follow of course the manual and ask the dealer next time I am there. I simply do not put on the miles but agree with everyone follow the manual and at least change oil every year. If the dealer says complete the DCT service earlier because of time, I'm okay with that too. I only wish for many years of reliable ownership experience , nothing more.

 

[kvette23]

okay - so basically on my 2023 I get two free oil changes and a DCT Filter Service. Like many have already said it would be a huge stretch to hit 12k in three years so can I not just ask for the filter at the dealership and hang onto it for when I do hit 12k? I cannot see the benefit of doing it when chances are I might see 2400km per year tops. I agree with oil changes once a year as part of the ownership experience, but I am just not 100% on doing a DCT service when it is not due until 12k which for me likely will be 5 years. I will follow of course the manual and ask the dealer next time I am there. I simply do not put on the miles but agree with everyone follow the manual and at least change oil every year. If the dealer says complete the DCT service earlier because of time, I'm okay with that too. I only wish for many years of reliable ownership experience , nothing more.

unfortunately the answer is no, you will have to use the DCT Filter service within the two year timeframe. Either use it or lose it

 

[JCWP]

I was at Applewood Chevrolet in Mississauga to get more details on the 2 Complimentary LOF (Lube-Oil-Filter) Program for MY 2023 C8 and I took the Home Office Letter with me. They confirmed that I will get the free DCT filter service and that I can also use it anytime within the 2 year period along with either of the free oil changes.
My in service date is Feb 17 2023, I now have 1850Kms and will probably have another 1000Kms before winter storage and am planning to avail one free oil change before storage.
I will most likely use my 2nd free oil change in October of 2024.
So the big question is should I use the free DCT filter service this October (2023) when I have ~3000 Kms or next October (2024) when I probably will have guessing ~8000 Kms
Is it better to do it earlier to perhaps eliminate any metal particles from the transmission break-in ?
I am also planning to have the transmission fluid topped up to the track setting, how much additional fluid will I need and what would the estimated cost be?
Oh and I was told that I need to book the service 2 weeks in advance so that they can order DCT filter service parts and to expect to leave the car for the day if I want (Oil Change + DCT filter service + top up of transmission fluid to track setting)

Follow GM recommendations as best you can. My 2nd O.C. in 3 weeks - perhaps 9000 km - get DCT done then or lose it.

 

[gdb069]

... so can I not just ask for the filter at the dealership and hang onto it for when I do hit 12k?

That actually makes sense so probably cannot do it: Catch-22. Dealership is probably not allowed to bill GM unless the actual full DC cannister service is done. However no harm in asking Service Manager if you can come in during an oil change and pickup the cannister. Tell him/her Yossarian said it was OK.

 

[harshadt]

Interesting read. However, I don’t think linking to another forum is allowed so be prepared to have your link deleted by a mod

 

[BrianB]

Interesting read. However, I don’t think linking to another forum is allowed so be prepared to have your link deleted by a mod

Oops, sorry about that. Did I mention I'm new here

 

[BrianB]

Interesting read. However, I don’t think linking to another forum is allowed so be prepared to have your link deleted by a mod

Original post has been deleted. Thanks mod, and my apologies to you.

I read that a '22 C8 owner with 643 miles sent the used oil to two independent oil analysis services and both returned similar results. The ESP oil itself held up but the amount of wear metals and silicon (used in the motor build process) were significant. Something to keep in mind when making your first oil change decision.

 

[butsy]

Yes. Take this to your dealer.

any chance you could re-attach the file?? I'm unable to open the original you attached???

 

[Murray20c8]

any chance you could re-attach the file?? I'm unable to open the original you attached???

What year is your car? The doc I have is for 2023's Someone else had 2021-601Rxx

 

[JCWP]

2022

 

[butsy]

What year is your car? The doc I have is for 2023's Someone else had 2021-601Rxx

it's a 23, but I kept scrolling and found the document issued to dealers...thanks....

 

[meyerweb]

View attachment 113891

Contradictory statement. The OLM and 7,500 miles aren't the same. The OLM, for many of us, will say a change is required well before 7500 miles. 7500 miles and one year are the Maximums. If you don't drive very much, it'll tell you at 1 year even if less than 7500 miles. If you drive HARD, it will probably tell you in less than 1 year and less than 7500 miles. I generally only get about 6500 miles or so before it's telling me to change (in less than a year).

The part that says a 500 mile change isn't needed is accurate. That was a requirement only for the dry sump C7s because of a compound in the adhesive for the dry sump tank that could affect the anti-foaming additive in the oil.

 

[Cannonball Rally]

Man this forums rocks! Details like this are so helpful for any c8 owners!

 

[DavidWG]

My 2023 C8 has around 1800kms (probably will drive another 1000kms) planning to do the first oil change / transmission filter change before parking for winter, live in the Mississauga area, appreciate if you folks can suggest a dealer that you have had a good experience with and also honors the free transmission filter change.
Any suggestions / recommendations (pros Vs cons) on postponing the transmission filter change to fall of next year, will most likely not hit the 12k mark at that point.

I have used Humberview Chev in Etobicoke (Hwy 427 & the Queensway) for a number of years. They sell a good number of C8s (35+ a year) so have lots of experience with them. Last time I took mine in for the second oil change there were 3 C8s in the service reception area. I have also used Gateway in Brampton for my 2 C7s as they have a good Corvette tech. They just don't sell as many C8s (10+ a year) so I went back to Humberview when I got my C8. I believe Gateway give a parts discount to members of the Corvette Club of Ontario (CCO).

 

[butsy]

Made an appt yesterday at Sadlon's to get my 1st (free) oil change at months end before it goes away for the winter, and the Service Tech tried to tell me I had to get the DCT Filter changed on my 1st oil change or I'd have to pay for it....After about 4 emails back and forth, explaining that I have 2 years to get the free DCT Filter changed out and that I'll have it done this time next year when I get my 2nd free oil change done (should be close to 12K by then), and once I attached the Service bulletin that all Dealers rec'd explaining this, she finally got it....Frustrating.....