Should I change my oil....

[vetteboy86]

Well it is no suprise winter is on it's way. In the vette I have about 2500 miles on synthetic oil. It was last changed back in May. I check the oil all the time and see no sign of moisture. I would change it because of time, however I have also been told to change the oil in the spring. So should I change it twice in 4 months, or just let it go. I also have convential oil in my Trans Am. Should I change that before and after storage?

Thanks
Craig

 

[Vettefan87]

I think you will be safe for both cars the Vette and the TA. You have what maybe 150 miles on the oil change in the TA? Oil takes a long time to break down from sitting I doubt that for four to five months it would hurt it.



Justin

 

[vettepilot]

I think you will be safe for both cars the Vette and the TA. You have what maybe 150 miles on the oil change in the TA? Oil takes a long time to break down from sitting I doubt that for four to five months it would hurt it.



Justin

The oil doesn't break down while sitting. It's the acids from the combustion process that forms and there is some moisture present even though you can't see it. The acids if left unchecked can cause minute pitting of the bearings, cam lobes and bearing surfaces, and other machined parts. Even though all good quality oils contain additives to neutralize those acids, I would recommend changing the oil and filter. Also take into consideration how those miles were put on each car. Was it short trips where the oil didn't get up to a high temp, or was it some good long drives where the temps got up high enough to cook off any condensation. If they were my cars, I would change the oil and filter on both now. Later, I would drive the cars in the springtime to their next normal oil and filter change, no need to changemout the oil that didn't see use at all. If there was going to be any damage done, it would take place while the cars are stored.

vettepilot

 

[Daryllawman]

I agree with Vette pilot.....Change the oil and filter....cheep insurance on an expensive engine change...

 

[vetteboy86]

If I change the oil now, I will have to change it again in the spring. My cars dont sit, I start them from time to time, and back them out of the garage to wash them if it is a clear day. I guess I will just change in now and again in the spring.


Craig

 

[Edmond]

Or you can do what I do. After the snow has fallen and the roads are all clear, take it for a drive. If there's that much snow, I'll just open the garage and let the car warm all the way up to operating temperature. It usually won't go more than 3-4 days without running. But these past few winters have been somewhat mild.

However, I do change the oil in all the cars just before the forecasts predict snow.

 

[redc4corvette]

If your worried about the day after tomorrow ,then change the oil and filter I change mine once a month.
Synth oil don't break down like regular oils.

 

[JJS]

I didn't change my oil "this year," since I've maybe put 1k miles on it since the last oil change (Mobil1). I didn't think a synthetic would break down while sitting, so it wasn't even a consideration. Is it possible I've done some harm here? It'll definitely be changed first thing in the Spring, since it's going into storage this afternoon for the winter.

 

[Randy Eads]

There must be some validation in the fact that the "Change Oil" function only monitors eng. temps and and RPM's turned ... and not "age" of oil