If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message on the Driver Information Center (DIC) comes on, check the engine oil level right away. For more information, see Driver Information Center (DIC) . You should check the engine oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.

It is a good idea to check the engine oil level every time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.

The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See Engine Compartment Overview for the location of the engine oil dipstick.

1. Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a lint-free paper towel or a cloth, then push it back in all the way.
3. Remove the dipstick again, keeping the tip down and read the level on the cross-hatched area. Oil levels that fall in the cross-hatched area are normal.
4. Push the dipstick back in all the way.

If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the recommended oil. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities and Specifications .

See Racing or Other Competitive Driving for additional information on engine oil.

Notice: Do not add too much oil. If the engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating range, the engine could be damaged.

See Engine Compartment Overview for the location of the engine oil fill cap.

Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in when you are through.

1. Engine Oil Dipstick

2. Engine Oil Fill Cap

It is a good idea to check the engine oil level every time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.

The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. The dipstick is located on the dry sump engine oil tank. See Engine Compartment Overview for the location of the dry sump engine oil tank.

Z06 models have a racetrack-ready dry sump engine lubrication system. This high-performance system operates differently than a standard engine lubrication system and requires a special procedure when checking the engine oil level. Follow this procedure closely when checking the engine oil level.

The engine oil level must be checked when the engine is warm. Cold oil level in the dry sump tank may not indicate the actual amount of oil in the system. With this system, engine oil is contained in an external tank, separate from the engine. Under normal operating conditions, the oil pan under the engine does not store any oil. If the vehicle has been parked for an extended period without the engine being started, some oil will seep back into the oil pan, reducing the amount of oil held in the dry sump tank and there could be no engine oil at all showing on the dipstick. This is normal since the dipstick is designed to read engine oil level only after the engine has run long enough to reach normal operating temperature. Do not add engine oil based on cold engine dipstick readings. The engine oil level on the dipstick will also be inaccurate if checked while the engine is running.

1. To obtain an accurate engine oil level reading, warm up the engine to at least 175°F (80°C). Cold oil will not give a correct oil level reading.
2. Once the engine is warm, turn off the engine. Checking the oil while the engine is running will result in an incorrect oil level reading.
3. Wait at least five minutes (but not more than 20 minutes) to allow oil to drain and settle in the engine.
4. Remove the dipstick from the external engine oil tank and clean it with a lint-free paper towel or a cloth. Re-insert the dipstick into the external oil tank, pushing it all the way in until it stops.
5. Remove the dipstick from the oil tank and read the level on the cross-hatched area. Oil levels that fall in the cross-hatched area are normal.

If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the recommended oil through the oil fill cap opening in the oil tank. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities and Specifications .

See Racing or Other Competitive Driving for additional information on engine oil.

Notice: Do not add too much oil. If the engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating range, the engine could be damaged.

See Engine Compartment Overview for the location of the external engine oil tank and fill cap.

Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back into the oil tank when you are through.

Z06 models have a racetrack-ready dry sump engine lubrication system. This high-performance system operates differently than a standard engine lubrication system and requires a special procedure when changing the engine oil and filter. Follow this procedure closely when changing the engine oil and filter.

1. Engine Oil Drain Plugs

2. Seals

1. Remove the two engine oil drain plugs from the bottom of the engine oil pan. One drain plug drains the external oil tank via the oil transfer supply line. The other drain plug drains residual oil from the crankcase sump. Allow the oil to drain.
2. Once the oil has been drained from the engine, remove the engine oil filter and allow the oil to drain.
3. Re-install both drain plugs and tighten them to 18 lb ft (25 N·m).
4. Replace the oil filter and tighten it to 18 lb ft (25 N·m). See Maintenance Replacement Parts for the correct filter.
5. Oil is filled through the opening in the top of the external engine oil tank. Remove the oil fill cap.
6. Add eight quarts (7.6 L) of oil to the oil tank. See Capacities and Specifications .
7. Install the oil fill cap and insert the dipstick, if removed.
8. Start the engine and let it run at idle for at least 15 seconds. This will circulate the fresh engine oil through the lubrication system.
9. Shut off the engine and check the oil level as described under "Checking Engine Oil (Z06 Only)."

Look for three things:

Notice: Using oils that do not have the GM4718M Standard designation can cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.

Oils meeting these requirements should have the starburst symbol on the container. This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Your vehicle's engine is filled at the factory with a Mobil 1® synthetic oil, which meets all requirements for your vehicle.

Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M may not be available. You can add substitute oil designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all temperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.

Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard GM4718M are all you need for good performance and engine protection.