winter storage question-oil change if low mileage this season?

[twobone]

This last summer I only put maybe 500-750 miles on my 84 carrera. She has a total of only 98000 miles

Do I have to go and get the oil changed before I store her this winter?

Is a few hundred miles enough to make the oil get acidic?

Is my laziness and my frugality just plain stupid?

[exc911ence]

$100 for Mobil 1 or $10000 for a new engine... I think you're just being lazy.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Well, let's not be too hasty. I don't think six-month-old oil will hurt the engine. Year-old, yes. And suggesting that leaving it in will require an engine change is a bit extreme.

[old man neri]

I would just make sure you take it for a long drive right before putting it away to cook off any moisture.

That oil has been in there the whole summer/fall. I doubt a few more months will make any difference. People who drive their car year round keep the oil in the case long after it has seen 500mi.

[chrisp]

I'm in a similar boat. I put about 1500 track miles on my car this year. Oil went in in April and came out last weekend. I didn't want to risk acid etching of the internals or any settling.

[livi]

Objectively, I agree with Mr. Wilkinson and old man neri. Subjectively, I would probably have a chronic anxiety syndrome during the winter and change it anyway..

[exc911ence]

I wasn't suggesting that the engine will fail if he doesn't change his oil, I'm just reinforcing the fact that the price of an oil change is small potatoes and is excellent insurance against future problems. Do the oil change and spend a few minutes under the car while you're there giving everything a quick once-over. You never know what you'll find probing around under the car with a flashlight while the oil drains out. Consider it bonding time with your 911.

[Newsboy]

You should change your oil every year, even with your low millage. Cheap insurance. If your going to drive your car at all, and storing in an unheated space, I suggest changing it in the spring. This is what I do, and have found some water in the bottom of the oil tank. This is probably due to condensation, even though I always get the car up to temperature.
Fortunately, the in and out oil lines to the tank are a little above the drain, so I don't think the water that sits at the bottom is getting circulated.

[POORSH]

this may be a stupid question, but does that go for synthetic oil as well?

[Doug&Julie]

Asked my mechanic that same thing (new oil this past Spring, but only put 2500 miles on the car) and he said I'll be fine until next Spring.

What I'd be more concerned about is how little that car is being used!

[JeremyD]

I'd just do it in the spring. Once a year or 4-5000 miles for me. A little less if I track the car alot. With a decent filter and 13 qts - tough to get really dirty.

[JeremyD]

twobone - save that car for me will you - I love kiln red.

[jcunning]

There are so many variables involved here, that there really is only way sure way to know the condition of the oil and if it should be changed.

Get the oil hot and then take a sample and send it in for anaysis.
For about $30 you will know for sure the condition and make a much more educated decision.
http://www.oaitesting.com/

The really cool thing is that they keep your car in their database so you can compare different samples over the years. Then you can see if you are getting more metal filings in the oil over time.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by POORSH

this may be a stupid question, but does that go for synthetic oil as well?

yes, every year no matter what mileage

do it in the fall if you store the car

I know what you're thinking... but even a spendy synthetic is much much cheaper than a motor rebuild.

[oliver88]

You'll be fine, I would not change it. I send a sample in before winter for each car just to make sure the TBN is OK and there is no moisture or contaminants. Sample test is about 20 bucks. Or you can spend $100 on the oil change. As long as you don't start the car and run it for short periods the oil should be virtually new.

[kilodawg]

Do I have to come up there and beat you with a stick! Change the oil. I did it for you......

[Venetian]

Seems a little extreme to me. I assume you are not the original owner therefore how do you know if this procedure was followed in the past decades by the previous owner(s)? The point being that any minimal damage that could result from this has probably already occured.

[kilodawg]

Venetian chill out and look for your sense of humor. I sold twobone the car. It used to be mine. Just my way of saying hello. Okay now?

[Aurel]

Why change the oil when you are not going to drive the car? To give the new oil a chance to trap some moisture during the winter? I would change it in the spring, when I put he car back on the road, if anything. And yes, give it a good drive and let it go really warm before putting it in storage.

Aurel

[RWebb]

b/c the contaminants in the old oil sit there in direct contact with all the nice shiny precision metal surfaces that are crucial to the engine

you guys do whatever you want - just be sure to disclose what you did to the next owner