oil change

[stevesoasis]

Have been reading conflicting opinions on this subject. The question is, after storing the car for the winter 3/4 months should you have the oil changed even if it was changed right before storage?? What do you guys think??

[clmrt]

Ima run my whole tank of November gas out of it in 6 hours of freeway driving after the first heavy rain, then change the oil and add all the goodies I've collected over the winter in one go.

[stevesoasis]

I was thinking the exact same thing lol

[fastblackmerc]

Have been reading conflicting opinions on this subject. The question is, after storing the car for the winter 3/4 months should you have the oil changed even if it was changed right before storage?? What do you guys think??

I wouldn't change it. Oil just sitting there, like on the store shelf doesn't go bad.

I would pull the fuel pump relay and crank to engine over until there is oil pressure, then start the car.

[TFB]

I've had oil in seldom driven, garaged vehicles for as much as 4yr, never any issues...

[fastblackmerc]

I've had oil in seldom driven, garaged vehicles for as much as 4yr, never any issues...

Correct. The only reason you have to change oil is because a running engine contaminates the oil and the various additives get depleted. A non or seldom run engine would take longer to do those things.

[MMcactusflower]

Although we do not have the winter weather woes some in other parts of the country do, I do not drive my DTR in rain and really do not drive it but once or twice a week on a beautiful sunny day...so I was wondering the same thing about the oil change situation.
I got this MM from the original owner two and a half years ago...it had about 22,000 miles on it so I changed the oil filter and put in Mobil 1 a few weeks after I got the car.
So from what I understand here, it would really not be necessary to change oil/filter in the near future...unless I just want to do so...right?

[fastblackmerc]

Although we do not have the winter weather woes some in other parts of the country do, I do not drive my DTR in rain and really do not drive it but once or twice a week on a beautiful sunny day...so I was wondering the same thing about the oil change situation.
I got this MM from the original owner two and a half years ago...it had about 22,000 miles on it so I changed the oil filter and put in Mobil 1 a few weeks after I got the car.
So from what I understand here, it would really not be necessary to change oil/filter in the near future...unless I just want to do so...right?

My "rule of thumb" is to change oil & filter (Mobile1 0w30 & FL820s) every 5,000 miles.

Your best bet would be to get an oil analysis done, I use Blackstone Labs, they will give you a printout of the wear inside the engine and recommendations for future oil changes.

The test kits are free and this explains what a standard analysis will tell you. The analysis costs $25.00.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/standard-analysis.php

BTW... my last analysis reported high silicone which is normal for our engines. They recommended oil changes every 6,000 miles. As stated I change oil & filter every 5,000... easier for me to remember :D

[stevesoasis]

Thank you for the info guys :beer:

[cat in the hat]

Same, Mobil 1 / FL820S. I change it after 5,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.
For me, this usually works out to changing it every spring, even if it has less than 5,000 miles on it.

[yeahSHEPASSEDU]

I change mines once a year. Anybody else can't help but stare at their mm? I was attempting to take the dogs out and all of a sudden I'm hypnotized. I'm a peeping tom.:hide:

[NXSBOB]

Why spend $25 for analysis? Mobil 1 and a new Ford filter only cost about $35-40.:confused:

My "rule of thumb" is to change oil & filter (Mobile1 0w30 & FL820s) every 5,000 miles.

Your best bet would be to get an oil analysis done, I use Blackstone Labs, they will give you a printout of the wear inside the engine and recommendations for future oil changes.

The test kits are free and this explains what a standard analysis will tell you. The analysis costs $25.00.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/standard-analysis.php

BTW... my last analysis reported high silicone which is normal for our engines. They recommended oil changes every 6,000 miles. As stated I change oil & filter every 5,000... easier for me to remember :D

[MyBlackBeasts]

Technically the reason to change the oil after sitting is while the vehicle is stored in cold, varying weather, condensation forms in the engine (just like in the fuel tank). The condensation drips in to the oil, H2O in oil forms acids. The acids damage soft-metal surfaces like bearings.

Do you have to do it? No, depends on personal preference. With what an engine costs (even with my free labor) I don't mind the measly few bucks to change oil & filter as a preventitive measure.

Change before storage so engine does not sit with dirty oil in it, reduced contaminates = best environment for stored engine.

Change when pulling out of storage to expell any acid contaminated oil.

Oil sampling/testing on a car is another personal preference thing. IMHO sampling is best in the Class 8 environment where oil capacity is 40 qts. $25 oil test cost vs. $250 wholesale cost for B-Service makes sense. On cars I don't bother. $25 for sample vs. $30 for oil change. I just change the oil.

[L.Mark]

So is Mobil 1 better than either Motorcraft or Quakerstate? I use Quaker in all my vehicles with no issues as it seems to stay cleam looking longer than say Valvoline.

[fastblackmerc]

So is Mobil 1 better than either Motorcraft or Quakerstate? I use Quaker in all my vehicles with no issues as it seems to stay cleam looking longer than say Valvoline.

Any name-brand synthetic oil is good to use... IMHO.

[L.Mark]

Good info thanks...:D

[Vortech347]

In my Fox and Cobra both which don't really see over 3-5k a year I just change the oil in the spring. I run RP 10w-30 in the fox and Mobile 1 5w-30 in the Cobra.

However the Marauder hits mileage fast so I just change the 5w-20 FOMOCO blend every 5k.

The whole "every 3 months regardless of mileage" is pure BS.

I've got an engine block I checked on this year that hasn't been in a car for 5 years and its in my storage shed. I purposely left it oily as possible when I stored it. Everything still looks great. There is a nice coating of used oil still on everything.