C4, C5 & C6 Maintenance Issues & Standards:

Compiled by Chuck Dutoit, Joe Watson and John Elegant

In addition to the specific recommendations below, your vehicle should be checked periodically for wear and tear, to ensure fluids are not dripping or collecting on your garage floor, and that tires, brakes and other “wear” systems have sufficient remaining capability. Also, all unusual noises and/or driving conditions should be addressed as soon as possible. Finally, the following are SPECIFIC maintenance standards required by GM for safe operation of your vehicle as well as for continued warranty coverage:

 

Item: C4 (1984-1995) C5 (1997-2004) C6 (2005-2013)

Change oil & filter: 7,500 miles; least yearly Same Same

Change water coolant: 30,000 miles; least two years 5 years 5 years

Check serpentine belt: 30,000 miles; least two years 5 years 5 years 

Battery change interval:

      Main car battery:       5 years                                     5 years   5 years

Tire PSI sensors:  NA 3 years 10 years

 Key fob batteries: 18 months 3 years 10 years          

Change limited slip fluid: 20,000 miles 20,000 miles  20,000 miles

Change cabin air filter:  NA NA 3 years

Change spark plugs/wires: 100,000 miles 100,000 miles 100,000 miles

Change engine air filter: 30,000 miles 30,000 miles 30,000 miles

Change auto trans fluid: 100,000 miles 100,000 miles 100,000 miles

Check rear axle torque: NA 2 years 2 years

Rotate tires: 5,000 miles (if possible) Not possible* Not possible

Other “General Car Care” Recommended Maintenance:

• Wash immediately if paint bird droppings and/or similar acids and abrasives;

• Wax at least every six months; more frequently if harsh sun, ocean salt or similar;

• Wash wheels whenever heavy build up of brake dust (especially during first three months after new brakes);

• Wiper blade replacement: When needed, and especially before heading out on a LONG road trip;

• Check all lights: Every three months, again before every long trip;

• Lubricate weather-stripping and rubber annually;

• Apply leather cleaner and leather conditioner annually;

• Apply vinyl treatments annually;

Wheel alignment: GM aligns its new cars at the factory within a moderate range; John always gets his new car “four wheel aligned” at a specialist shop within the first month – to set the wheel alignment more exactly (greater mileage and better tire wear result).  Also do wheel alignment every time you replace tires, and consider doing so when you have hit a large very large pot-hole, your car is not tracking as well as it did, etc.

Clean inside of windows annually, as the materials inside the car “slightly vaporize” when your car is being cooked in the summer sun, and the chemicals from this out-gassing can, over time, permanently dull your windows.

Note from above for C5’s regarding tire rotation: For some C5’s the only way to rotate your tires is to take the tires off their rims, and switch the tires only, side to side in the front and/or side to side in the rear.  This is a somewhat expensive process, and is not financially worth it in most cases.