To change engine oil or not? Topic is solved

[scot850]

I have a question for you guys. My 00 V70R sits for about half the year or more in a heated garage. Normally I swap the engine oil before putting the car away. Last year due to helping others with their car projects the car did not get it's engine oil changed before being hibernated.

What is the question?

So technically the oil and filter are about 18 months old approximately, but the car has likely less than 1000km on it in that time (625 miles) on the oil. It is still golden colored and looks almost new. Would you change the oil now or as the car will likely do the same or maybe slightly more km's this summer leave it in and run it for the summer and do a change before putting it away before winter?

In the time I have owned this car it has managed about 12,000 miles and had annual oil changes with a filter every year since 2012.

Now this is not because I am a cheapskate 50% Scot by birth but more to do with the car is so low mileage and it only gets Synthetic oil, would you change the oil annually all the same?

Neil.

[abscate]

Give it a nice hot run before you put it away to get the water out of the oil. It won’t go bad sitting

[Sveedy]

I would not worry about it at all. I don't see how it sitting in your engine is really any different than it sitting in a bottle.

[Chuck W]

If it's kept in a climate-controlled area when not in service, and you're using synthetic, I wouldn't worry about it, honestly.

[scot850]

I would not say it is kept in a climate controlled garage, but the coldest it gets is 50F unless the garage door is opened to the main garage in winter. Once the door closes, the furnace kicks in and gets it back to 50F quickly.

So I will leave the oil for now but will check again on it for condition after the first couple of runs.

Thanks guys!

Neil.

[abscate]

Give it a nice hot run before you put it away to get the water out of the oil. It won’t go bad sitting

Then in the Spring, take it out and run it in another car….



Channel back to 2016…

viewtopic.php?t=75054&hilit=Cheapskate

[Vova585]

The moment you opened the oil can-oil start to degrade. Even in the bottle it has a shelf life of 2-5y years. I think all auto manufacturers usually recommend to change oil at least once per year even if you drove it for 100 miles. Similar idea with antifreeze and brake fluid(around 5 year for both). I can see the argument of oil filter should be ok..so get vacuum oil suction jag from harbor freight for about $90 suck oil through the deepstick and put new one in. No need to crawl under car. Change filter every other oil change with your usage. However I would urge you to use it more often. When car sits for a long period of time oil film in cylinders slowly thins so risk of corrosion and extra wear from "dry" start.

[scot850]

I hear you, but here the local city uses a very toxic/corrosive sodium fluid to de-ice our roads in the summer. I would use the car more but having spent so much time under it (and money!!) over the years I don't want to spend more than I have to. I planned to sell the car but my wife has decided it is now her car and does not want to sell it. She does however want to save it by not using it in the winter. I understand the dangers of old cars and lack of use, but I don't apparently get to make the call.........

Oh, and I do like the idea of sucking the fluid out and have one of the tools to do it. But with a hoist, pulling the drain plug is just as easy.

Neil.

[misha]

I wouldn't worry about it.
If it's my car...i wouldn't change it at 1k miles.

[hausmeister]

Similar situation for me, i have about 2k km on the oil, but 1,5 years. I think it is still fine, I think I'll change it soonisch though.
I think I would draw the line at 2 years.
The oil does ofc degrade faster in the engine, but current synthetic oil should be much better than the 10w40 30 years ago.