Dutch W.

Hello all,
I was wondering if cars that don't get driven a lot ie less than the 3k mi/year (but get started say, at least every 2 weeks) really need their dino oil changed every 12 months. I seem to remember in Germany that the government came out with a study saying that if you weren't racking up the miles necessitating an oil change that every 24 months was enough....

I'm sure some people will say 'just change it' or 'better safe than sorry', but I'd like them to back it up with a noted reason rather than just being cautious (which is a fine reason -- just not the reason for my posting).

Also, I noted someone said he had changed the oil before putting up his car for the winter; other than having it done in the spring so that its ready to drive, does it really matter if the oil during the winter storage is older rather than newer?

Anything different in terms of this topic regarding synthetic oil?

90 Corvette ZR-1

I drain the oil before (read day before or day of) I put it in storage, that way no impurites (dirt and such) in the oil when I put it in storage. I also drain it when it comes out of storage. I think of it as cheep insurance. I would change the oil every 12 months but that is me

Blue 92

I change mine just before it goes into hibernation. It doesn't sit the entire winter but does sit up to 4 - 6 weeks if the roads are bad. Then I don't take it out unless I'm driving it long enough to get the oil up to temp to avoid any possible problems with condensation. When spring comes I just go by mileage again for the next oil change.

I'd avoid starting it unless you run it long enough to warm up and then I'd still rather drive it to circulate the other fluids: P/S, tranny, rear end etc.

If you just start it for a few minutes then I'd do the oil just before storage and again when you bring it out again. That's only twice a year and with dino oil that's not big enough $$ to worry about.


[Modified by Blue 92, 4:46 PM 11/3/2001]

turbota

I don't have anything to back this up its just my opinion. I think 2 years is a long time to go between oil changes. Just because the milage isn't racked up impurities do build up in the oil. I use Mobil 1 at the beginning of the season, and change it with dino oil before I put it away, than use fresh Mobil1 when it comes out in the spring. I probably put 2500 to 3K miles per year on it.

Mr Mojo

Don't store it! Drive it!!!!!

Anyway, the recommendation I've always heard was 3,000 miles or every 3 months.