99M6Z28

iTrader: (8)

Ok, so back in october I bought a new truck to use as my daily driver and since then the Camaro has been a garage queen. Before I put her in the garage I changed the oil. I use Mobile 1 5w40 full synthetic. I wanted to know how often I need to change the oil even though if is sitting most of the time? I have only put about 250 miles on it since october.

Viper

iTrader: (6)

I do it twice a year; before I put it away for the winter and in the spring. I put maybe 4-5K a year on it.

Irocss85

iTrader: (1)

the only issue with the oil after sitting all winter since you used synthetic oil is condensation that "could" have built up in the engine. which is why I dont change the oil right before storing it. cause I like to change the oil soon as its goin to be driven again anyways.

Viper

iTrader: (6)

For the winter I use the cheap stuff, and usually drive on it for a little before a change in the spring.

99M6Z28

iTrader: (8)

well the car isn't really sitting for months at a time. I drive it like maybe 10 to 15 miles a weekend.

Lt1Porsche

iTrader: (6)

I just dont understand why some people just dont run the car once a week. Let the car fully warm up than shut her down. Thats what I do with both the TA and the Supra.

Viper

iTrader: (6)

I've read you are better off running it around for 30 minutes vs. just starting it in the garage till warmup. Burning off contaminants.

hammertime

iTrader: (1)

If you are periodically driving it, you should be fine. Driving it will put more heat in the engine than running it in the garage. As stated above, reaching full operating temp will allow any condensation to boil off as steam.

If you were going to store that car for months, it may be a good idea to start it once in a while, every other month or so. Otherwise, I don't see any reason to start it unless you will be driving it. After all, once it reaches operating temp and all the condensation has boiled off, you're going to turn it off and let it cool again, right?

99M6Z28

iTrader: (8)

thanks for the helpful info!

Grimes

iTrader: (3)

yeah, best thing by far is to drive the car once a week to full operating temps.

radkon

iTrader: (2)

I do a full synthetic oil change before I store it. I don't like to let used oil sit in the pan for months at a time. The contaminates just settle to the bottom and are sitting there in the spring when you fire it up.

As for condensation, it the car is stored near ambient temps, there won't be much and any water will evaporate within minutes of firing it up.

jmm98LS1

iTrader: (28)

My car only sees between 750-1000 miles a year. I change my oil once a year, usually in the spring. If you're not going to actually drive it, it's better to just let the car sit while being stored. You're never going to get the oil hot enough to get rid of any moisture by just idling. Just because your coolant gets up to temp doesn't mean your oil does.

Irocss85

iTrader: (1)

I agree. I just started mine the other day for the first time since storage only cause I had to switch spots in my garage. but I try to wait until its unusually warm out to start it and run it.

67SS&99SS

iTrader: (7)

I change mine once a year and I'm lucky to put 1,000 miles on it in that time period. I try to drive it for about 30 minutes once every two weeks. . Letting them idle all the time without driving them doesn't do it any good.