Oil change before storing for winter

[Andoskyy]

Hi All,

Camaro is going away for winter this week. I did an oil change about 2,500 miles ago. Think its necessary to change the oil again?

Thanks!

Andrew

[steakmaker]

Andy;
Even at only 2,500 mi. I'd change it & the filter,cheap insurance. What's % is on your oil indicator?

[skipinminn]

Nope But I'd change it when you take it out in the spring that's what I do

[LT1Zob]

Originally Posted by skipinminn

Nope But I'd change it when you take it out in the spring that's what I do

+1

[Steve1LE]

I don't like the idea of that crap sitting in the crankcase so I always change mine before. Oil is not going to break down during the 4 or 5 months that the car is sitting so you will be all set for spring.

[USMUCL]

I never followed the logic on pre-storage oil changes. Is the oil not sitting harmlessly in the pan anyway?

[Cool1LE]

I do it just to be sure.... cheap peace of mind

[LT1Zob]

Originally Posted by USMUCL

I never followed the logic on pre-storage oil changes. Is the oil not sitting harmlessly in the pan anyway?

That's how I see it. It drains into the pan for 5 or 6 months. I don't start it in the spring with the dirty oil. I change the oil first, let the fresh stuff flow in, then fire it up.

[Steve1LE]

Originally Posted by USMUCL

I never followed the logic on pre-storage oil changes. Is the oil not sitting harmlessly in the pan anyway?

I don't know but fresh oil will sit harmlessly in the pan so why not just do it if your going to change it when it comes out of storage anyways?

[pickwithaustin]

Originally Posted by USMUCL

I never followed the logic on pre-storage oil changes. Is the oil not sitting harmlessly in the pan anyway?

Exactly. I'd rather go fresh when it's time to drive it rather than put it in and let it just sit there. Also, gives it all time to really drain down into the pan. I don't mow my lawn twice on the same day to avoid having to do it the next week either. Thank goodness we have year-round weather here though - but I have many cars that do sit (one of my older Vette's been in storage at a friend's shop for a year and a half now). New oil when it's time to use again.

[USMUCL]

To take it one step further, I don't go out of my way to put fresh stuff in the car in the spring either. I only drive 3k miles a year with it, and I use high quality synthetic. So, the car gets new oil and filter once per year, with no mind to how close it is on the front or back end of storage.And, for the record, after one year and 3k miles, the oil life indicator said it had 60% left. Not that I believe that thing is truly accurate as to oil's useful life . . . .

[wakespeak]

Most boat winter layup procedures include an oil change. (Most engines are GM V-8's or V-6's). The reason being fuel and combustion by-products can be corrosive, and corrosion inhibitors in oil can get overwhelmed. Having said that I change mine in the spring because I generally change the oil toward the end of the summer anyway due to use. I usually run the old oil a little before changing it, both to warm it up and let it wash away any surface rust.

[Kendall421]

Been storing my 82 Z28 in the winter for 30 years. Change it in the spring! Same reason you store it full of fuel...condensation. Whatever is sitting in the pan in the fall can sit there all winter, wont hurt a thing. The condensation that builds and runs into the oil through the winter needs to come out in spring. Way more critical to change it in the spring.

[Andoskyy]

Thanks for the opinions guys! Will let it sit for the winter and change it up in the spring.

Sad to see her go away, but it'll be like getting a new car every spring!