Changing oil?

spinshop · Jul 24, 2013

I put 526 miles on my car since my last oil change in August of last year.
I`ve heard some people change oil every 6 months or so no matter how many miles but, does it go bad just sitting?
I use Valvoline VR1.
How often do you guys change your oil?

pauls72 · Jul 24, 2013

Once in spring and once in the fall before I put it away for winter.

blm · Jul 24, 2013

I have read that it doesn't degrade and the same oil can be kept in for years without any ill effects. Think about it. All the other fluids coolant/trans fluid/gear oil/power steering/brake fluid are all used year in year out.

ChiefSB30 · Jul 24, 2013

pauls72 said:
Once in spring and once in the fall before I put it away for winter.

This is my way too, though in NC I dont really store for the winter.

Hi-po SS 454 · Jul 24, 2013

With less than 1200 miles a year, it gets changed once a year. VR 1

jeff swisher · Jul 24, 2013

Back in the 1990's i called the 1800 number on the back of the mobil 1 5 quart jug.
I asked the guy on the other end what is the shelf life of their synthetic mobil 1 oil.

The reply was 10 years if the container was not opened..But it needs to be shaken up to mix all the additives.
Ever wonder what that little bit of dark stuff is in the bottom of the jug when you pour it out...

Now he also stated that if the jug is opened the shelf life is 1 year.

Now with that stated..think about how long that oil has sat..

I remember a write up on penzoil before they went to "Pure Base"
The shelf life of conventional penzoil oil was 6 months in an unopened bottle.
WHY... the detergents start fighting the base stock, in the bottle.

That was many moons ago..
Call the number on the back of the bottle and get the answer for your oils.
Or Email them...

made2cut · Jul 24, 2013

I remember having an old quart of oil laying around the garage for more than a few years from my brother. I honestly can't remember now if it was open or not but it was Pennzoil 20w 50 and I always used 10w 40 so that's why it sat unused. I opened it up one day and was shocked how nasty that stuff looked, more like a milk shake than oil. I change my oil regularly regardless of the mileage.

dt · Jul 24, 2013

How much money are we talking here ?? 35.00, 40.00 ??? Change the oil as some suggested.

Hi-po SS 454 · Jul 24, 2013

maybe its the weather that makes the difference, but in So Cal I have never seen anything wrong with my oil after removing it after one year. Its not like the car sits for one year. Its out every few weeks.

busterwivell · Jul 24, 2013

I always used to change the oil every time the seasons changed.......now 2 of my vehicles that get under 2000 miles a year only get the oil changed in the spring and fall.

novaderrik · Jul 24, 2013

pauls72 said:
Once in spring and once in the fall before I put it away for winter.

you might as well save yourself some money and just let it sit without oil in it all winter if you are just going to drain the brand new oil out in the spring..

engineguy · Jul 25, 2013

Oil doesn't necessarily "go bad" on its own over time. What does happen though, is that the combustion process in an engine produces condensation, carbon, etc. Chemical reactions of these by-products produce certain levels of acid and this is what is detrimental to an engine. Oil should always be changed just before the car is put into winter storage.

douglee25 · Jul 25, 2013

engineguy said:
Oil doesn't necessarily "go bad" on its own over time. What does happen though, is that the combustion process in an engine produces condensation, carbon, etc. Chemical reactions of these by-products produce certain levels of acid and this is what is detrimental to an engine. Oil should always be changed just before the car is put into winter storage.

This is correct.

Whoever said oil goes bad needs to think about how many thousands of years old the oil is before it hits your engine!

Doug

busterwivell · Jul 25, 2013

engineguy said:
Oil doesn't necessarily "go bad" on its own over time. What does happen though, is that the combustion process in an engine produces condensation, carbon, etc. Chemical reactions of these by-products produce certain levels of acid and this is what is detrimental to an engine. Oil should always be changed just before the car is put into winter storage.

What's winter storage?

dt · Jul 25, 2013

douglee25 said:
This is correct.

Whoever said oil goes bad needs to think about how many thousands of years old the oil is before it hits your engine!

Doug

Haha, love this statement. Did you forget oil is refined before you purchase it in a bottle. We are not putting crude oil in our engines!

douglee25 · Jul 25, 2013

Nah, just playing! Haha!

Doug

70-SS454 · Jul 25, 2013

I change it every fall, Acids from combustion products build up in the oil... Just good practice not to let them sit on your bearings 6 months all winter... Change the Oil & Check the Antifreeze...check for leaks, put it away....

engineguy · Jul 26, 2013

busterwivell said:
What's winter storage?

How true!! Hey, I know where Sahuarita is! Is there a prize for that? My nephew went to Sahuarita High School several years ago and he won many awards and went to some competitions held overseas, in conjunction with his auto shop classes. It was said that the auto shop instructor at Sahuarita High School was one of the best, if not the best, in the entire nation. What an acculade.

Changing oil?

spinshop

pauls72

blm

ChiefSB30

Hi-po SS 454

jeff swisher

made2cut

dt

Hi-po SS 454

busterwivell

novaderrik

engineguy

douglee25

busterwivell

dt

douglee25

70-SS454

engineguy

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities