Oil Change

[LOTUSUSA1]

I have not changed my oil in the last 12 months (1000 miles) and the North East USA weather is soon approaching along with vehicle storage. Should I change my oil before storage or after Spring begins?

[lotusguy]

LOTUSUSA1 said:

I have not changed my oil in the last 12 months (1000 miles) and the North East USA weather is soon approaching along with vehicle storage. Should I change my oil before storage or after Spring begins?

Hi,

You should always change the oil before storage and NEVER allow oil to remain in the engine for 12 mos. regardless of mileage.

Oil change intervals have both a time (3 mos.) and a mileage (3,000) component to them. After 3 mos. use, regardless of mileage, the oil becomes moisture ridden and full of corrosive chemicals produced in combustion.

The reason for changing every three months and prior to storage are the same, namely the oil's ability to absorb moisture. Adding fresh oil also rids the engine of all this internal moisture.

Moisture will evaporate from old, water ridden oil (It absorbs some of the water produced as a natural combustion by-product) and then condense on cool engine internals allowing them to rust, pit and corrode, seriously shortening the service life of the component(s).

So, change your oil at least every 3 mos. and when storing it in the fall, drain (preferrably by lifting the front end to drain the oil cooler as well) and refill with fresh oil. Start the car to circulate the fresh oil and bring it up to operating temperature before shutting down. Since there is no moisture being produced by the engine during storage, you can start out the next season with the 'storage' oil and go for either 3,000 miles or 3 mos., whichever comes first before you need to change again. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE