Spring has sprung

[joes]

Hello all,

Last summer I had the mechanic go over the car.  Grease, fluids, belts etc.  Unfortunately I only drove it for about 400 miles before i winterized it and put her to sleep in a temp controlled garage.  I know, I know these cars were meant to be driven.  Such is life.

So my question is should I change the oil/filter?  My guess is that it's not a must but probably a very good idea.

thoughts?

tx,
Joe.

[J. Huber]

I'd probably skip the oil change until the end of the upcoming season... at 400 miles, its practically new. Just my opinion.

[Bonnyboy]

I have been told that as soon as the engine oil has moved up to the regular operating temperature and starts to do its work it absorbs moisture which can break it down and start becoiming corrosive.  I have also been told that regular oil will last 6 months after getting to the regular operating temperature or 5,000 miles which ever is sooner.   So even if you poured oil in your car and operated it just to circulate it and then shut it down and didn't touch it, it should still be changed after 6 months. 

This is your baby, and an oil change costs less than 5 gallons of gas.  Its a no brainer - change your oil. 

I have a fleet of vintage motorcycles and an MGB which all receive regular thrashings and oil changes 2X per year even though I'd be lucky to get 5,000 miles per year on all of them combined - but after long term ownership my babies are still around and there are not too many gearheads who will fault you for an oil change after eight months.  I change the oil in my scooter evey 600 miles and worry that I'm letting it go too long.

Ian



 

[twistedtree]

On a lightly used car, I'd change the oil annually, and do it on the way into storage so the car does not sit with dirty, potentially acidic oil over the winter

[glenn]

Make sure the sealing washer is on the stub atop the filter......

[mdsalemi]

Joe,

Why don't you wait until mid season or so?  Ensure you'll get some miles on the car; if you don't, then change at the end of season prior to putting away again.

[Jordan]

Joe, as you can see lots of opinions.  You were hoping for a definitive answer.     You posted the question here so it must be like a little tick in the back of your mind.  Get the oil changed or the tick will remain.  An oil change is dirt cheap and then you don't have to think about it again until the fall, then change it again before putting it away.