C5 maintenance

[Ernest C.]

Although this has nothing to do with restorations, I need some advice. I have a 2001 that I purchased new, and plan on keeping it. It now has 30000 miles on it and I've read somewhere that all fluids should be flushed including trans, rear, and clutch. Before I have this done I would appreciate any comments.
Thanks
Ernie

[Tom H.]

Re: C5 maintenance

Hi Ernie !

Wouldn't hurt to change the clutch fluid. You could do the diff while you are at it. I would change the coolant and do an overall inspection. Check the belt and wiper blades, tire pressure and you should be good.

[Duke W.]

Re: C5 maintenance

Your owner's manual should have maintenance recommendations.

Coolant is 5 years or 150K miles.

Transmission - auto or manual?

Though GM doesn't recommend it. The brake fluid should be flushed, too if you plan to keep the car a long time and don't want to start rebuilding the hydraulic components.

Duke

[Clem Z.]

Re: C5 maintenance

Your owner's manual should have maintenance recommendations.

Coolant is 5 years or 150K miles.

Transmission - auto or manual?

Though GM doesn't recommend it. The brake fluid should be flushed, too if you plan to keep the car a long time and don't want to start rebuilding the hydraulic components.

Duke

duke my 88 silverado went better than 15 years without any brake work other than changing the pads and shoes. if you never open the M/C cap moisture should never get into the system. i think that is why all motor vehicles now have see thru M/C reservoirs so you can check the fluid level without opening the M/C cap. i agree if you use the brakes hard where there is a possibility of overheating the fluid then change it. changing brake fluid in these modern cars is not easy with all the electronics involved.JMHO

[Terry M.]

Re: C5 maintenance

Changing brake fluid (almost all of it) isn't that hard on newer vehicles. The only hard part is getting the last <5% in the ABS Controller. That does take a Tech II for GM vehicles, which is beyond most of us. However changing >95% of the fluid is a good idea because it will delay internal parts deterioration and corrosion. If one exercises the ABS system -- not too hard for those of us living in Northern climates -- some or all of the fluid in the ABS Controller will be diluted by the relatively fresh fluid in the rest of the system. Exercising the ABS System periodically is a good idea anyway. Just like exercising the body, it keeps the arteries flowing.

[Duke W.]

Re: C5 maintenance

duke my 88 silverado went better than 15 years without any brake work other than changing the pads and shoes. if you never open the M/C cap moisture should never get into the system. i think that is why all motor vehicles now have see thru M/C reservoirs so you can check the fluid level without opening the M/C cap. i agree if you use the brakes hard where there is a possibility of overheating the fluid then change it. changing brake fluid in these modern cars is not easy with all the electronics involved.JMHO

When I upgraded the brakes on my Cosworth Vega in 1981 to Monza vented rotors and calipers, I decided to take apart the rear wheel cylinders, and they already had noticeable corrosion after only five years!

That's when I got "religion" and started changing fluid every couple of years. I never changed the brake fluid on my SWC and the original master cylinder failed after only five years.

A few years ago the clutch on my '88 Merc 190E 2.6 started to drag, so I replaced the slave cylinder. The problem was that the pushrod that bears on the clutch fork was worn. I disassembled the original slave cylinder and the bore was spotless. That car has been on a two year brake/clutch fluid change since new.

If you only plan to keep a car five - maybe even ten years - you may be able to get away with not changing brake/clutch fluid, but if you plan on keeping a car "forever" it's good insurance for the hydraulic components.

Most modern cars have a vent hole on the plastic reservoir cap as opposed to the diaphragm on the old cast iron integral master cylinders / reservoirs, so the modern systems aren't really "sealed".

Climate is also an issue. If you live in a dry climate and the car is not driven in the rain, moisture absorption will be slower and you can probably get away with longer change intervals.

Duke

[Brian M.]

Re: C5 maintenance

I remove the brake fluid from my M/C's with a Vacula at each oil change and top off with DOT 4 fluid.

[Clem Z.]

Re: C5 maintenance

I remove the brake fluid from my M/C's with a Vacula at each oil change and top off with DOT 4 fluid.

unless you are using a new sealed can of fluid each time what are you gaining ? the fluid in the open can is no different than the fluid in your M/C

[Edward J.]

Re: C5 maintenance

Although this has nothing to do with restorations, I need some advice. I have a 2001 that I purchased new, and plan on keeping it. It now has 30000 miles on it and I've read somewhere that all fluids should be flushed including trans, rear, and clutch. Before I have this done I would appreciate any comments.
Thanks
Ernie

Ernie, I would rec. changing the trans fluid if its a manuel, I have done quite a few at the 30k mark and the fluid tends to really discolor.

[John D.]

Re: C5 maintenance

Well here it is from the service manual...unnecessary flushes including emmissions services are nothing but snake oil designed to flush your wallet of cash......



2001 Chevrolet Corvette | Corvette VIN Y Service Manual | General Information | Maintenance and Lubrication | Maintenance | Document ID: 667752
Maintenance Schedule
Normal Vehicle Use

The maintenance instructions contained in this Maintenance Schedule are based on the assumption that the vehicle will be used as designed:

<Maintenance Schedule Intervals

The services shown in this schedule up to 166 000 km (100,000 mi) should be performed after 166 000 km (100,000 mi) at the same intervals. The services shown in this schedule to be performed at 240 000 km (150,000 mi) should be performed after 240 000 km (150,000 mi) at the same intervals.
For explanations of the maintenance inspections and services included in this Maintenance Schedule, refer to Explanation of Scheduled Services .
For additional maintenance inspections and services which are not included in this Maintenance Schedule, refer to Periodic Maintenance Inspection .
Footnotes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emissions warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of the vehicle's useful life. We, however, urge that all recommended maintenance services be performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded.
Engine Oil Change Intervals Scheduled MaintenanceGM Oil Life System Resetting .
This vehicle is equipped with an engine oil monitor. The engine oil monitor will indicate when to change the engine oil -- usually between 5 000 km (3,000 mi) and 25 000 km (15,000 mi) since the last oil change. Under severe conditions, the CHANGE OIL message may be displayed before 5 000 km (3,000 mi).
The vehicle MUST NOT be driven more than 25 000 km (15,000 mi) or 12 months without an oil and filter change. Use engine oil meeting the GM Standard GM4718M.
The engine oil monitor will not detect dust in the oil. If the vehicle is driven in a dusty area, be sure to change the oil every 5 000 km (3,000 mi) or sooner if the CHANGE OIL message is displayed. Be sure to reset the engine oil monitor when the oil has been changed. For the engine oil monitor resetting procedure, refer to GM Oil Life System Resetting .
<">Scheduled Maintenance

25 000 km (15,000 mi)

Inspect the air cleaner filter if the vehicle is driven in dusty conditions. Replace the filter if necessary.
This is an emission control service. Refer to footnote [Dagger].
50 000 km (30,000 mi)

Replace the air cleaner filter. This is an emission control service. Refer to footnote [Dagger].
75 000 km (45,000 mi)

Inspect the air cleaner filter if the vehicle is driven in dusty conditions. Replace the filter if necessary.
This is an emission control service. Refer to footnote [Dagger].
83 000 km (50,000 mi)

Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:
If the vehicle is not used under any of these conditions, change the fluid and filter at 166 000 km (100,000 mi).
Manual transmission fluid does not require change.
100 000 km (60,000 mi)

125 000 km (75,000 mi)

Inspect the air cleaner filter if the vehicle is driven in dusty conditions. Replace the filter if necessary.
This is an emission control service. Refer to footnote [Dagger].
150 000 km (90,000 mi)

Replace the air cleaner filter. This is an emission control service. Refer to footnote [Dagger].
166 000 km (100,000 mi)

If the vehicle has not been used under any of the severe conditions listed previously and, therefore, has not had the automatic transmission fluid and filter changed, change both the fluid and filter.
Manual transmission fluid does not require change.
240 000 km (150,000 mi)

Drain, flush and refill the cooling system (or every 60 months since the last cooling system service, whichever occurs first). For information on the proper coolant to use, refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .

footnote:The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emissions warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of the vehicle's useful life. We, however, urge that all recommended maintenance services be performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded.