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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 12:53 AM
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Default Oil Change

Dear Gentlemen,

I have a 2003 with under 20K miles. I use Mobile 1. If I don't put enough miles on the car to warrant an oil change; how long should I wait to change to oil?

Thanks, RoyC7
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 01:10 AM
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I think this has been asked before... maybe about 1000 times.
I do mine once a year in the spring right before I drive it. I drive it up on ramps when I put it away for winter so I don't have to start it again until after I change the oil come spring.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 01:19 AM
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Yep...annually at minimum is a safe bet if you never reach the oil life % on the meter.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by jdvann
Yep...annually at minimum is a safe bet if you never reach the oil life % on the meter.

Once a year.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 09:43 AM
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I say once a year also if you do not meet the mileage requirements.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 09:44 AM
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Drive it MORE Roy... then you won't have to worry about it.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 09:45 AM
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I'm in the same boat as you - I do not put enough miles on the car each year to change the oil per the oil life monitor. The owner's manual states that in a situation like this, change the oil once a year. I do this on mine just when I put the car in storage for the winter. I do not leave the old used oil in the car just sitting over the storage months.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by 73Corvette
Drive it MORE Roy... then you won't have to worry about it.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 10:47 AM
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Agreed..once a year. I only had 1900 miles on my last oil change.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 11:41 AM
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Per the owners manual:

"...your engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset."
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
I'm in the same boat as you - I do not put enough miles on the car each year to change the oil per the oil life monitor. The owner's manual states that in a situation like this, change the oil once a year. I do this on mine just when I put the car in storage for the winter. I do not leave the old used oil in the car just sitting over the storage months.

I do the same (layup with fresh oil) for both my '03 (4k miles) and '88 (100K miles)....
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by joendoodle
I do the same (layup with fresh oil) for both my '03 (4k miles) and '88 (100K miles)....
Is that an Anniversary Edition with 4K miles?
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
I'm in the same boat as you - I do not put enough miles on the car each year to change the oil per the oil life monitor. The owner's manual states that in a situation like this, change the oil once a year. I do this on mine just when I put the car in storage for the winter. I do not leave the old used oil in the car just sitting over the storage months.
BEFORE storing
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
Is that an Anniversary Edition with 4K miles?
Yes she is.... (I bought her as a retirement present with 3100 miles...)







The 88 gets a sibling....<br/>

Last edited by joendoodle; Jan 10, 2016 at 08:58 PM. Reason: spelling...
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by joendoodle
Yes she is....







The 88 gets a sibling....<br/>
Sweet!
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by thisMSGgood4me
An '03 with only 4k miles??? Do you fill up the gas tank only once a year too?

I love it..
the mobil 1 budget and the gas budget are almost equal!!!
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by joendoodle
Yes she is.... (I bought her as a retirement present with 3100 miles...)

The 88 gets a sibling....<br/>
May we ask what a 03 with only 3100 miles cost you? I would love to find one like that.
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 02:04 PM
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whats the point of storing it with fresh oil? the oil is not used up since there really not being driven ( i just dont get it) fresh oil when you pull it out spring of the year i say

these are GM LS engine cars the same engine blocks thats in the camaro z28 you know the ones that kids beat the hell out of and drive all year and have 150k+ miles on them that are still going

Originally Posted by joendoodle
very nice looking cars!

Last edited by Stroker87; Jan 11, 2016 at 02:06 PM.
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Stroker87
whats the point of storing it with fresh oil? the oil is not used up since there really not being driven ( i just dont get it) fresh oil when you pull it out spring of the year i say

these are GM LS engine cars the same engine blocks thats in the camaro z28 you know the ones that kids beat the hell out of and drive all year and have 150k+ miles on them that are still going



very nice looking cars!
Thanx Mr. Stroker87:

-My point(s) are
1) Peace of mind...

I get it, with the modern oils and fuel injection there is almost no such thing as an oil related failure. However when the engine runs some impurities (acids) end up in the oil... In my mind I feel better knowing it sits in the winter with fresh oil.. Also as a "Corvette dude" when I install the oil filter, it is already full of oil...Does this matter.. in my head it does...

2) Cheap Insurance..

I do it myself, I don't trust everyone to touch my Vettes

3) Therapy..

When I'm laying under my cars with tools in hand... the wife finds something else to do.
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Stroker87
whats the point of storing it with fresh oil? the oil is not used up since there really not being driven ( i just dont get it) fresh oil when you pull it out spring of the year i say

these are GM LS engine cars the same engine blocks thats in the camaro z28 you know the ones that kids beat the hell out of and drive all year and have 150k+ miles on them that are still going
I googled "how to store a car for winter". These were the top four articles. ALL say change oil BEFORE storage.

https://www.cars.com/articles/2013/1...ar-for-winter/
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/ca...er-75174.xhtml
http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/how-...m-storage.html
http://blog.cochran.com/wordpress/in...e-car-storage/
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