Winter Oil Change Question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,281
Likes: 2,509
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
Winter Oil Change Question
Here in Ohio unfortunatly the snow and Corvette hibernation is just around the corner. My question is simple... Do I change oil now and let new oil sit in the pan all winter or wait until spring and driving season? I change oil once a year and last year I changed it in the fall.
Opinions welcomed!!!
Opinions welcomed!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
Re: Winter Oil Change Question (Greg00Coupe)
You want to store it with fresh oil. Get those contaminant and acids out of the engine. You should also flush your brakes if the time is close.. you don't want the moisture in the brake fluid sitting in there all winter.
mike :flag
mike :flag
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Midland MI
Re: Winter Oil Change Question (C5~Missle)
1: Doesn't the C5 have the synthetic DOT5 brake fluid (which doesn't absorb moisture like 3 or 4)?
2: After changing oil for winter storage isn't also recommended to do it on a warm engine and then to run the engine for a few minutes to cycle the clean oil to all the bearing surfaces and what-nots so that the old cruddy oil is no longer on those surfaces?
2: After changing oil for winter storage isn't also recommended to do it on a warm engine and then to run the engine for a few minutes to cycle the clean oil to all the bearing surfaces and what-nots so that the old cruddy oil is no longer on those surfaces?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Winter Oil Change Question (Greg00Coupe)
Change it now! Put some Sta-Bil in the gas and run it a few minutes before storage. Extra air in the tires, etc. Hard to put it away....used to mine in Michigan for 5 or 6 months over winter! :(
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
Re: Winter Oil Change Question (Greg00Coupe)
Do like the others said, Sta-bil in the gas full tank to prevent moisture buildup, anfd fresh oil and filter, i would not mess with the brake fluid though it has a long life, i am assuming you have a C-5? youll only be down 4 or 5 months( say, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, hopefully back on the road in Apr, hey im iin N.J. so i go through the same stuff as you, and do it with my boat too! Rob.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: Winter Oil Change Question (Rob 99)
All I have to say is Thank god I live in Vegas and I never have to put my car away for the winter. I know this does not help but I love my vette so much I would consider to move somewhere where I can drive 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, and 12 months a year! :flag
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,555
Likes: 9
From: Indiana
Re: Winter Oil Change Question (chuck1026)
Put fresh oil in before winter .. and DON'T STORE YOUR CAR .. drive it! I'm not suggesting you slog it thru the snow, but there are always a few nice days every month when the streets are dry and the sun is out. The car loves the cold weather.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Midland MI
Re: Winter Oil Change Question (Jerry Velders)
Yes there are a few nice days during winter months here in the great white north and you could take the vette out. However it should be a long enough run to burn off the moisture and condensation that is caused when you start a cold engine. Anyone who goes out to the garage and starts their car up once a week and lets it run for 10 minutes is doing more harm than good. I heard that it takes 45-60 minutes to burn off all the moisture that can be trapped inside.
