Oil change question?

[iplagolf]

For the past two years the 85 was a closet queen from November until April/May. I drove my Ranger pick-up. This year I plan, weather permitting, to drive it through the winter. I changed the oil and filter each year before I put it up. I last changed the oil/filter last November. I pulled the dip stick today and smelled the oil. No hint of a gassy smell and it was a honey color. I only put about 600 miles on it this year due to work. Question(s) should I change it now due to the oil being a year old, it's dino oil, or drive it all winter and change it in the spring? I believe Porsche says to change the oil every 7500 miles in the owners manual, way too many in my opinion. What's the shelf life of dino oil in an engine? I guess time V. miles is really the question? Thanks, Fritz

[mytrplseven]

There's a lot of conjecture on oil changes. Purists will change oil every 3000 miles because that's what their Dad's did or what the manufacturers of the last millenium suggested. Some say that it should be changed every year, regardless of the miles on the car. It's up to you as to what a "minimum" standard you will personally adopt. I change my Dino oil once a year or 5000 miles, whichever comes first...but then that's just me. I use a premium oil (Castrol GTX) and a lot of what you do will depend on the oil you use and it's properties. Mobil 1 is a whole different animal. Call the Dealership and ask them what the New Porsches recommend. It'll blow your socks off.

[iplagolf]

I should of said the oil I have in the car now is 20W50. Maybe too "thick" for winter time?

[Gawernator]

Change to 10w-40 because it's colder out now.

[RTuner]

Generally I would not run 20-50 if you expect temps below freezing.

[TibetanT]

I would not suggest driving during the Winter. The chemicals and salt will ruin your undercarriage as well as begin to erode the brake rotors and calipers.

But, that is just my honest opinion and I do love these P-cars, so I never drive them in the Winter months unless the roads are dry and I can wash all the road junk off before putting it back into the garage.

Just my .02 cents.

As far as the oil is concerned, I change the oil to Mobil 1 5W-30 during this time of year so I can start it up occasionally in the garage. In March/April, I change back to Mobil 1 15W-50. But that is just me and I always use synthetic oil.

The most important thing to remember, about oil changes, is to do them offend enough so your engine parts stay in very good condition. It really doesn't matter what oil you use, I think, other than paying attention to the weather conditions and what the owner's manual says.

To each, his own...when it comes to oil.

[curtisr]

Here you go:

[emoore924]

Ja, so wasn't the OPs question time-based oil change rather than mileage-based. Like if you drive 600 miles (well under 3k) but it is now a year later, do you need to change the oil?

I hear oil change intervals that quote 3k miles -OR- 1 year, whichever comes first. So, if you're under the mileage, does the time matter?

Some of my cars have only gone 150, maybe 300 miles in a year. I've waited two years between changes but the oil does get a little gloppy for my tastes after that time even though it is pretty clean. (gloppy=technical term har)

[Gawernator]

I'm curious if oil actually does break down over time just from sitting in your engine or if it's just sales marketing for companies

[iplagolf]

Yes the question is time based, thanks emoore924. I don't drive this car if there is a threat of rain, nor would I drive it in the snow or ice. I know too well what road salt and the stuff they spray on the roads can do. I have my 14 year old Ford Ranger with 263,000 miles on it to drive through that crap! I will change the oil to 10W40 for the winter. It's a good weight even if the car doesn't leaver the garage until spring for next years driving. The wooly worms say a cold and snowy winter. The persimmons back them up. That is if you believe an insect and a fruit can predict anything! Thanks guys.