Oil Change after winter storage

firemanken · Mar 25, 2008

Hi Everyone

Next week I will be getting the stang out of storage. Back in October I changed the oil and put about 100 miles on it before it was put away. I use Mobil 1 Synthetic. Do you think there is a need to change the oil again before I drive it this summer because it was sitting all winter?

DarkFireGT · Mar 25, 2008

No way. But this year, don't change the oil until you pull it out next year. I made the same mistake. Wasn't thinking, just knew it was time for an oil change.

cave diver · Mar 25, 2008

I wouldn't change it out now. Just figure that you stored that nice new Mobil 1 in your oil pan instead of in those darn plastic bottles

Art161 · Mar 25, 2008

I would change the oil and filter. Storing the oil in the oil pan is not the same as storing oil in a closed bottle. Condensation can collect in the oil pan. There might also be some acid.

Next year, before you store the car, change the oil and filter, but consider using regular dino oil and an inexpensive filter. Then, when you take it out of storage, put in the good stuff.

Stangshark · Mar 26, 2008

I wouldnt change it.....I start my car every couple of weeks too in storage just to keep things heated, moving about, and to rotate the tires so they dont get flat spots.

metroplex · Mar 26, 2008

(sarcasm on) I bet the dealerships regularly change the oil in all of the cars that have sat on the lot for over a year... (sarcasm off).

I wouldn't change it. The German OEMs specify 10k mile oil change intervals regardless of time, but with BMW you get free service for 3 years so they change your oil at least once a year if you don't reach 10k miles.

Car and Driver sent in a sample of Castrol syntec 5W-30 for a Mazda CX-7. The oil had 9100 miles (well above the recommended OCI for Group III synthetics) and Blackstone said they could squeeze more miles out of that oil. Our modern engines are cleaner than in the past, and oils are getting better and better. Even the dino ILSAC GF-4 and API SM oils are good for 5k miles.

o0Dan0o · Mar 26, 2008

No, no need to change it yet. Just make sure the first time you drive it to let it get up to temp before you really get in it, need to give any water in the oil time to evaporate. The real danger is that oil brakes down over time after it's exposed to all the other chemicals in a motor, but this takes time and for a good oil like mobile one it should be good past six months.

I would change it early though, by summer probably.
Dan

red05bullitgt · Mar 26, 2008

Okay. I'm really confused now. In other words, was it a mistake to change my oil just before putting it in storage. Or is it better to leave 6-12 month old and possibly contaminated oil sit in the pan for 4 months, and then changing the oil just before taking it out of storage ?

I assumed that it's always much better to have fresh/clean oil sit in the pan, rather than leave used, and possibly contaminated oil sit all winter long during storage.

I also use nothing but Mobil 1 full synthetic oil, and do not run or start my car at all, while in storage. This way I know the oil remains completely fresh, and uncontaminated.

Art161 · Mar 26, 2008

I'm probably in the minority here, but I think you should change the oil and filter right before putting it in storage and again when you take it out of storage. Just use inexpensive oil when you store it and use the good stuff when you put it back in service.

You don't want to store the car with old oil that is probably already contaminated. Just in sitting around, the oil pan can accumulate contaminants. It's not the oil itself that necessitates the change when you take it out of storage, but the condensation and any other bad stuff that has accumulated in the pan over the winter.

The quality of the oil has nothing to do with contaminants that can accumulate in storage.

metroplex · Mar 27, 2008

The engine oil's job is to absorb the moisture and contaminants.

DarkFireGT · Mar 27, 2008

From everything I've gathered from threads like this over the years, the best thing that you can do is change it in the spring, before turning the engine over. Jack it up, change the oil, and you're good to go. No reason to change it in the fall before putting it away, and again in the spring. If you don't turn the engine over before changing the oil, the "contaminants" won't get a chance to go anywhere to do harm. No reason to unnecessarily waste oil. Using "cheap" oil in the fall is just wasting a precious resource, and synthetic is not cheap on your wallet.

Stangshark · Mar 27, 2008

Also, switching between synthetic to regular to synthethic oil is not the best thing for a motor. Decide what oil type you are going to use and stick with it, thats why they have a engineering department make special formula oils for high mileage, high rpm race applications, towing....etc.

red05bullitgt · Mar 27, 2008

In the meantime Steve, would you recommend that I change my oil again ? Or is my oil still fresh, from sitting in the pan over the winter.

I'd really hate to waste fresh Mobil 1 that I had just put in, before putting the car away for the winter.

metroplex · Mar 27, 2008

Stangshark said:
Also, switching between synthetic to regular to synthethic oil is not the best thing for a motor. Decide what oil type you are going to use and stick with it, thats why they have a engineering department make special formula oils for high mileage, high rpm race applications, towing....etc.

That's really an old wives' tale. They make all different types of oils to make money. Most of the high mileage oils are just of a thicker viscosity to compensate for worn out piston rings. Race applications are a bit different mainly because the engines are torn down after every race, so they can sacrifice long-term wear protection for more horsepower.

Ford specifies 5W-20 for use anywhere in the US. In Southern California deserts, the ambient temperature can get as high as 120F and 5W-20 functions just fine in that environment although I'd increase the frequency of the OCI's.

red05bullitgt said:
In the meantime Steve, would you recommend that I change my oil again ? Or is my oil still fresh, from sitting in the pan over the winter.

I'd really hate to waste fresh Mobil 1 that I had put in, just before putting the car away for the winter.

I would just keep using that Mobil 1 for this entire season. Any moisture that was collected by the oil will be removed after running the engine to operating temperature.

red05bullitgt · Mar 27, 2008

metroplex said:
That's really an old wives' tale. They make all different types of oils to make money. Most of the high mileage oils are just of a thicker viscosity to compensate for worn out piston rings. Race applications are a bit different mainly because the engines are torn down after every race, so they can sacrifice long-term wear protection for more horsepower.

Ford specifies 5W-20 for use anywhere in the US. In Southern California deserts, the ambient temperature can get as high as 120F and 5W-20 functions just fine in that environment although I'd increase the frequency of the OCI's.

I would just keep using that Mobil 1 for this entire season. Any moisture that was collected by the oil will be removed after running the engine to operating temperature.

Charlie, after this season. Would you recommend changing the oil, just before putting it in storage ? Or is it best to change it, just before taking it out from storage in the spring

Rocky

metroplex · Mar 28, 2008

Rocky,

I would just keep using that Mobil 1 for this entire season. Any moisture that was collected by the oil will be removed after running the engine to operating temperature.

DarkFireGT · Mar 28, 2008

Change the oil at the beginning of the season. So go ahead and run this oil this season, park the car, and change it in the spring.

red05bullitgt · Mar 28, 2008

Just want to thank Charlie, Steve, and Art, for addressing all my concerns. In which you guys have always been reliable upon for support, time and time again.

In the meantime, thanks once again for lifting such a huge weight off my shoulders.

Rocky

mileater · Mar 11, 2011

BUMP: Just one question about storage

There is very little information about this and all I have is hear say, but here goes.
Has anyone heard that synthetic oil such as Mobil 1 is not good for long term storage? The theory here is because it is so fluid, it will drain to the oil pan and leave the engine metal exposed to rust. I heard stories of someone storing a car for 6 months with Mobil 1 and have the engine all rusting after 6 months. I do not know if this is true or not.
I have always used Mobil 1 and driven up to 300k miles and then sold the car. So I am 100% for Mobil 1. I just have struggled with this unknown since my second vehicle gets stored and I am afraid to use Mobil 1 in it.

Oil Change after winter storage

firemanken

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