urbex Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 Ok I have a question. Not necessarily W-body related, but it pertains to any car. When putting a car away into storage (say 6 months or so) when should you change the oil? Should you let it sit the whole time with dirty oil and then change it when you get it out, or put fresh oil in when you put it away? Then if you put fresh oil in, is it good to use like normal or does the oil break down from sitting for long periods of time? Or should you just not worry about changing the oil out when you store it? I know there is no definitive answer, but I just want some opinions on this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado_735 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 (edited) Fresh oil. It's just good form. Old oil has contaminants in it that could cause it to break down after sitting a long time. Edited August 14, 2011 by tornado_735 forgot the d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbex Posted August 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 Well, since I never really knew what to do and I had heard lots of different opinions, usually I'd just change the oil when I put it away, and drive it a little less than normal when I got it out. (Like say 2k instead of 3k)... I figured over changing it wouldn't hurt anything so long as I had the extra oil or cash. I just wanted a few opinions from people who actually know about cars rather than most people on my HHR forum.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado_735 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 Pretty much the only thing you have to worry about with fresh oil is condensation, which will likely be evaporated within 10 minutes of driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MemphisMan Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 I put my MG Midget in storage for over a year. I put fresh oil in before storage. My thinking was that fresh oil will remain fresh whether it’s in the bottle or in the bottom of my oil pan. Plus, when I went to start it every month or so, it had fresh oil for the 10 or so minutes I would let it run. My two cents... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schurkey Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 I put my MG Midget in storage for over a year. I put fresh oil in before storage. My thinking was that fresh oil will remain fresh whether it’s in the bottle or in the bottom of my oil pan. Plus, when I went to start it every month or so, it had fresh oil for the 10 or so minutes I would let it run. My two cents... Fresh oil before storage is good. Old oil contains moisture and acids, neither of which do the engine internals any good. Starting the engine for ten minutes a month is BAD. That's exactly WHY oil accumulates moisture and acids. Either LEAVE IT ALONE during storage, or run it long enough for the oil to FULLY warm up and evaporate out the moisture. I vote for LEAVE IT ALONE during storage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbex Posted August 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 I do usually start the cars up maybe once or twice a winter and let them run for a good 30 minutes or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitzel Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Oil rarely 'breaks down' over time, especially at the relatively low temperatures of storage. No need to waste perfectly good oil doing oil changes prior to, or after storage. Acids and such should be neutralized by a properly blended motor oil. If you are really worried, I would suggest using a dual gas/diesel rated oil, which typically would have stronger additives intended to protect against the relatively higher sulfur content inherent in diesel fuel. I personally have done 2 oil changes in the past 8 years of ownership on my W, with no problems. And almost 70k miles of driving. No problems. No sludge when I opened it up to change the lower intake manifold gaskets (a known problem with the 3.1's that has nothing to do with oil changes!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 I just park the car and worry about oil when its due next. Exceptions include storing it for years at a time then I'll change the oil before it goes far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runt Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 When I put the bike away for winter I just...put it away. I don't start it all winter. It gets the oil changed typically 1-2 weeks after coming out of storage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbex Posted August 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Well I was thinking about just leaving the oil be in the HHR, because the DIC says it's at 89%. Not sure how many miles, since I'd have to go check. But it is Mobil 1... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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