Oil change after winter storage? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

TotalEntropy · 05-26-2015, 08:30 PM

Hi all,

I just went through my first winter with my Camaro and had a quick question.

I changed my oil before putting it in storage for the winter. Is there any reason to change it again, 5 months later, having not driven it at all in between?

Thanks!

Ryanbabz71 · 05-26-2015, 08:52 PM

I change mine once a year usually may/June and have had the oil analyzed the last 2 yrs. Oil has held up fine they even suggested going to longer intervals (oil is cheap so I will change as I see fit)

Ryan

Red2014SS · 05-27-2015, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TotalEntropy

Hi all,

I just went through my first winter with my Camaro and had a quick question.

I changed my oil before putting it in storage for the winter. Is there any reason to change it again, 5 months later, having not driven it at all in between?

Thanks!

Nope. You'll be fine.

Rock-It Man · 05-27-2015, 05:31 AM

No. And you did the right thing to change the oil before, not after storage.

rberns · 05-27-2015, 11:06 AM

I do the same thing. I change the oil in November and don't drive it till about April.

TotalEntropy · 05-27-2015, 05:31 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I appreciate it!

Sandor · 05-27-2015, 07:33 PM

It depends. So far those posting have changed before storage, but here's an alternative view... Depending on the environment, a car sitting all winter is going to get some condensation, which contaminates the oil. Can it get burned off in the spring once you get the engine to operating temperature and drive it? Possibly. But why take that chance when the cost of fresh oil and a new filter is so low? I drive less than 1,000 miles per year, so I change the oil each spring before taking my car out of storage and it's good until next spring.

To each his own!

Chevy_cowboy · 05-27-2015, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandor

It depends. So far those posting have changed before storage, but here's an alternative view... Depending on the environment, a car sitting all winter is going to get some condensation, which contaminates the oil. Can it get burned off in the spring once you get the engine to operating temperature and drive it? Possibly. But why take that chance when the cost of fresh oil and a new filter is so low? I drive less than 1,000 miles per year, so I change the oil each spring before taking my car out of storage and it's good until next spring.

To each his own!

Thats true, and thats the reason many choose to change the oil both before and after storage.... but if you're only doing it one or the other, it really ought to be before IMO. I'd say oil gets more contaminates from driving than it does sitting in the oilpan over the winter.

Sandor · 05-27-2015, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy_cowboy

Thats true, and thats the reason many choose to change the oil both before and after storage.... but if you're only doing it one or the other, it really ought to be before IMO. I'd say oil gets more contaminates from driving than it does sitting in the oilpan over the winter.

You are correct, totally agree that twice a year is best. But with the low annual miles I drive there is essentially no contamination from driving. With greater miles I would recommend before and after storage.

Chevy_cowboy · 05-27-2015, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandor

You are correct, totally agree that twice a year is best. But with the low annual miles I drive there is essentially no contamination from driving. With greater miles I would recommend before and after storage.

yeah at 1000 miles, the oil is basically new either way. We put about 4500 on ours last year and changed it just before putting it away for the winter. I thought about changing it again this spring but decided not to. Modern synthetic oil is light years ahead of the ol 3 months or 3000 mile days.

Ryanbabz71 · 05-27-2015, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandor

It depends. So far those posting have changed before storage, but here's an alternative view... Depending on the environment, a car sitting all winter is going to get some condensation, which contaminates the oil. Can it get burned off in the spring once you get the engine to operating temperature and drive it? Possibly. But why take that chance when the cost of fresh oil and a new filter is so low? I drive less than 1,000 miles per year, so I change the oil each spring before taking my car out of storage and it's good until next spring.

To each his own!

I did not and have the oil analysis to back up that it's fine with it sitting during the winter.

Ryan

SilverIceman · 05-27-2015, 09:53 PM

Don't see a need to change synthetic because of winter storage. Shouldn't lose any properties just sitting there all winter.

Change mine once a year, usually before racing it. Would change more if I was putting more than 3,000 a year on it.

baum · 05-28-2015, 05:51 AM

i usually do mine 2x a year. spring and fall. spring is usually within a month of me pulling it out, fall is because i reached my "due" mark. i average 7500-9000 miles during the summer on mine.

JCunningham · 05-28-2015, 06:59 PM

if your going to change the oil befor and after why put new oil in it. its just going to sit in the aluminum oil pan all winter. might as well just drain it and not put new in until spring. Put a big sign on your steering wheel NO OIL

05-26-2015, 08:30 PM	#1
TotalEntropy Drives: 2011 Victory Red 2SS M6 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 17	Oil change after winter storage? Hi all, I just went through my first winter with my Camaro and had a quick question. I changed my oil before putting it in storage for the winter. Is there any reason to change it again, 5 months later, having not driven it at all in between? Thanks!

05-26-2015, 08:52 PM	#2
Ryanbabz71 Drives: 2018 Hyper Blue 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana Posts: 6,230 View My Garage	I change mine once a year usually may/June and have had the oil analyzed the last 2 yrs. Oil has held up fine they even suggested going to longer intervals (oil is cheap so I will change as I see fit) Ryan __________________ Ryan * 2018 1SS 1LE Camaro Hyper Blue Metallic Car Build: http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showth...0#post10049680

05-27-2015, 11:06 AM	#5
rberns Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: US Posts: 3,291 View My Garage	I do the same thing. I change the oil in November and don't drive it till about April. __________________ 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS, Circle D 3200, ADM Transmission Cooler, BTR Valvetrain, Cam Motion .621 .595 228/244 113+4, ARH 1 7/8 full exhaust, Cold Air Inductions, Katech C5R TC, Melling HV, BTR SLR lifters, Trunion Upgrade, LS2 Dampner, LS9 head gaskets, Bo White PTB, MM can, GFX, Subs, B&M Deep transmission pan, Holley fuel rail, Proform valve covers, relocated coil packs

05-27-2015, 09:53 PM	#12
SilverIceman Drives: Camaro SS SIM Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 971 View My Garage	Don't see a need to change synthetic because of winter storage. Shouldn't lose any properties just sitting there all winter. Change mine once a year, usually before racing it. Would change more if I was putting more than 3,000 a year on it. __________________ MYBADSS

05-28-2015, 06:59 PM	#14
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,071	if your going to change the oil befor and after why put new oil in it. its just going to sit in the aluminum oil pan all winter. might as well just drain it and not put new in until spring. Put a big sign on your steering wheel NO OIL __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

05-27-2015, 05:31 AM	#4
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,027 View My Garage	No. And you did the right thing to change the oil before, not after storage.

05-27-2015, 05:31 PM	#6
TotalEntropy Drives: 2011 Victory Red 2SS M6 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 17	Thanks for the feedback everyone, I appreciate it!

05-27-2015, 07:33 PM	#7
Sandor Chevrolet Performance Drives: Camaro Chroma Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: The Motor City Posts: 409	It depends. So far those posting have changed before storage, but here's an alternative view... Depending on the environment, a car sitting all winter is going to get some condensation, which contaminates the oil. Can it get burned off in the spring once you get the engine to operating temperature and drive it? Possibly. But why take that chance when the cost of fresh oil and a new filter is so low? I drive less than 1,000 miles per year, so I change the oil each spring before taking my car out of storage and it's good until next spring. To each his own!

05-28-2015, 05:51 AM	#13
baum Drives: 2013 1LS, 2013 Ram 1500 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Minneapolis, mn Posts: 645	i usually do mine 2x a year. spring and fall. spring is usually within a month of me pulling it out, fall is because i reached my "due" mark. i average 7500-9000 miles during the summer on mine.