2 year old, do I need an oil change after storage?

[dmwhiteman]

I am preparing to take my car out of the garage for spring and am wondering if I should get the oil changed. I had it done before and after winter last year to get all the crap that may be left from production. Now that it is 2 years old and has had a couple changes is it necessary to change again in the spring? I have 78% oil life left and feel its a waste of $80 if its unnecessary.

I tried the search and only found threads from 2010. If someone could point me in another direction that would be great! Thanks

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by dmwhiteman

I am preparing to take my car out of the garage for spring and am wondering if I should get the oil changed. I had it done before and after winter last year to get all the crap that may be left from production. Now that it is 2 years old and has had a couple changes is it necessary to change again in the spring? I have 78% oil life left and feel its a waste of $80 if its unnecessary.

I tried the search and only found threads from 2010. If someone could point me in another direction that would be great! Thanks

After sitting that long I would change the oil, but that's just me.

[Zeus95]

I always change mine after storage, if nothing else then piece of mind.

[metthem]

after sitting for months with used oil in it, I would change it.

[Silver-Maro]

YES. Be smart.

['11 cyber grey vert]

I change mine right before storage and right after storage.

[John Deere Boy]

The manual even says the oil should be changed once a year, so that's a definite yes.

[bannonm]

Ideally you should change oil before storage. You want to avoid the contaminants/acids that build up in used oil from sitting in the engine over long periods. Modern oils like M1 have rust inhibitors in them, so it would also depend on how many miles you have on the existing oil before you store it. How many miles that would be is whatever you feel comfortable with.

On my Harleys I average about 3-5K miles a year. So the oil change is done right before storage and I'm usually good until next Fall. Since you have already left your oil in before storage and it's still fairly fresh, I'd leave it. Mobil recommends changing oil after a year regardless of the mileage to ensure the additives are still working. So if you have less than a year on it I don't see an issue.

[kylenewman]

I store mine then forget about it until spring. Then i Drive it to my shop and change the oil ASAP.

[greenrail]

I change my oil in the fal before storing and again inthe spring.... Makes sense to me!

[MTI Racing Kevin]

Every 3 to 5 thousand miles or every 6 months.

[Sir Nuke]

CHANGE IT......even the manual has you changing it at least once a year regardless of the number of miles put on the car. Acids will build up in the oils over time.

[dmwhiteman]

I can understand before and after for the first LONG sit, but every year? Why not just drain the oil and let it sit? For this year I am just going to go as is, if down the road I feel it needs changed Ill do it, then again before storage as the "once a year" manual suggests. It sounds like there are a lot of old habits here, not that that is a bad thing, but with the new synthetic stuff, its supposed to last up near 10,000 miles. Definatly not going to change it every 3000. Id still be 70% since I only put on about 2500 and am at 78%. But once a year before storage no matter the miles sounds like the best way to go.

[metthem]