Dealing With Oil Changes for Garage Queens

[JSRT4]

This is the first time I've owned a vehicle that will only be driven about 5,000-6,000 miles a year, driven only in warm weather months and garage kept. I'm wondering how to deal with oil changes on it. If it was a normal daily driver I'd change the fluid every 4,000 miles.

Should I change the oil every three months (probably only (1,500 miles at that time period), or twice a year at 3,000 miles, or once a year ?. The fluid will be high quality synthetic such as Amsoil 10w30 and factory filter.

Any advice on this would be great.

Thanks in advance for any replies on this.

 

[Colt45ws]

Once a year in the spring.

 

[Nick R]

^^ +1

 

[LS2JSTS]

I have two "queens" and they both get a fresh change of oil before being put to bed in the Fall.

 

[edhackett]

Once a year in the fall. Put it to bed with clean oil. Change the oil, take the car for a minimum 20 mile drive, then park it. Do not start the engine during storage unless you plan on driving it at least 20 miles.

Consider one of Amsoil's marine or motorcycle 10w30s for extra corrosion protection.

Ed

 

[1WildPig]

Using Amsoil's full synthetic 10w30, I'd change it once a year only if it mostly saw short trips and every two years if it only saw fully warmed drives. Another option is to use Amsoil's XL line of 7500 mile oil and change it each year ... I'd recommend immediately before storage ... this, to me, would be the best way so that the used oil wouldn't have to contend with contaminants for so long.

 

[StevieC]

Once a year in late fall. Living in Ontario I can tell you that our winter is the harshest time on the oil. (used oil analysis to prove that).

You want your oil to be the freshest it can be during this time so the additive package is strong enough to deal with it.

Use a quality filter too! Like a Wix or EAO from Amsoil.

 

[Herz]

Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Once a year in the spring.


agree. after the oil takes its beating.

 

[JSRT4]

thanks for all of the replies, I think one of the storage concerns is acids in the oil, so fresh oil before she sleeps is probably a good idea. Once a year might be the choice then, I was mostly concerned about the old addage of "every 3 months or xxxx miles whichever comes first". With Amsoil I guess I don't have to worry about that. thanks again.

 

[bt99]

absolutely change it in the fall. Don`t let the contaminents
sit in there all winter.
I still change my 89 corvette every 3000, which is once in fall B4 storage and once during the summer. Oil is cheap , and fresh oil just makes me feel soooo good

 

[JSRT4]

Originally Posted By: bt99
absolutely change it in the fall. Don`t let the contaminents
sit in there all winter.
I still change my 89 corvette every 3000, which is once in fall B4 storage and once during the summer. Oil is cheap , and fresh oil just makes me feel soooo good


good suggestion, you're right oil is relatively cheap. BTW I test drove an 89 Corvette a few weeks ago when I was looking for a hobby car, didn't purchase it though.

 

[FastSUV]

I do once a year in spring, but my "garage queen" sees action in the winter weather since it is 4wd...otherwise I'd probably do late fall if it was to be retired until warm weather.