Any logic to changing the oil before storage?
- Thread starter lazarus55
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- May 19, 2022
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I’d change it. Why not
I'd rather have fresh oil w/ minimal contaminants for extended storage.
I would change it before storage, especially because the oil is close to its end. There are corrosive byproducts, including fuel and water in the old oil. Run the vehicle with the new oil until reaching work temp. 10-15 min. before you leave it in storage.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/winter-storage-change-oil-before-or-after.7389/
To any “should I change my oil” question, the answer is always “yes.”
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$50 site donor 2026
Yes
Exactly, and a main reason why I change the oil on all my seasonal OPE and prepare it before I put it away at the end of the season for use the following year.
Yes, definitely change it before storage. I change mine on 2 boat motors and on my Corvette. When you sell it you can use it as part of the sales pitch if needed.
"It is a fairly severe oil burner". That kind answers the question. In this case, I would definitely say no. It's a waste of money. Debatable in any case, but for this one, a waste of money. I used to do changes before storage for OPE and motorbikes. Stopped and haven't noticed any difference. Just dumping good M1 in the recycle tank. Used to change about every 4 or 5 years in my low use camper/bus. No motor problems.
There’s no reason to not change it. Go ahead.
Agree, change the oil just before you put it away.
Also put Sta-Bil in the gas tank and fill it up to eliminate condensation.
I would store my mother's car every winter when my folks went to Florida. My system was change the oil, put Sta-Bil in the tank, then drive to the gas station to fill it up (to make sure the Sta-Bil got through the fuel pump and lines), then drive it right into the garage and park it.
Never had a problem doing it that way.
Also put Sta-Bil in the gas tank and fill it up to eliminate condensation.
I would store my mother's car every winter when my folks went to Florida. My system was change the oil, put Sta-Bil in the tank, then drive to the gas station to fill it up (to make sure the Sta-Bil got through the fuel pump and lines), then drive it right into the garage and park it.
Never had a problem doing it that way.
So why are you driving around with corrosive oil?
The point of a normal interval oil change is to change it BEFORE the TBN, the basic buffer, gets completely used up. Normal OCIs are conservative about this; lots of oil gets dumped early.
Older oil is still protective of engine insides, so long as you haven't taken it past the excursion point. Plenty of junkyard motors have proven this years later when they're opened up.
If you had a classic (read, carbureted) vehicle I'd say leave the old oil in because you're sure to dump a bunch of fuel into it a year from now trying to get it running again, misfiring, etc.
But since I assume it's injected, and since you're near the interval as you say, go ahead and change it now. JohnnyO's method of parking it warm is good too, keeps condensation out of the exhaust. Keep critters out of your airbox, cabin filter, and interior-- they're more likely to total a car (urine smell) than an engine storage issue.
The point of a normal interval oil change is to change it BEFORE the TBN, the basic buffer, gets completely used up. Normal OCIs are conservative about this; lots of oil gets dumped early.
Older oil is still protective of engine insides, so long as you haven't taken it past the excursion point. Plenty of junkyard motors have proven this years later when they're opened up.
If you had a classic (read, carbureted) vehicle I'd say leave the old oil in because you're sure to dump a bunch of fuel into it a year from now trying to get it running again, misfiring, etc.
But since I assume it's injected, and since you're near the interval as you say, go ahead and change it now. JohnnyO's method of parking it warm is good too, keeps condensation out of the exhaust. Keep critters out of your airbox, cabin filter, and interior-- they're more likely to total a car (urine smell) than an engine storage issue.
Change it old oil is acidic. And when you pull the truck from storage you wont have to worry about it.
Even though I'm pretty good about records I forget whether I changed the oil and when, so I like to change it before storage so I know it is OK to go when I eventually fire it up. Also, good idea to write down the date and mileage on masking tape and put it somewhere under the hood as a reminder.
Change it right before storage. Then it will be ready to go for when you start it back up again later.
My vote would be to change it because it's near the end of it's OCI. If at the middle +/- of OCI I would not change it. To each their own for so many things. If peace of mind is relevant, then do as you please. We're not talking about a huge sum of money.
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