I don't like to do it in the cold but I have done it. The way I get around doing an oil change in the cold is to not try to squeeze every last little mile out of the oil. I shoot for 6-7K OCIs but if the weather is nasty, I know I can go longer on the quality synthetics I run without doing any damage. If it happens to be really cold when I hit 6K, I can just wait until it gets a little warmer because I leave myself a little buffer.
How many change oil, no matter what weather
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Originally Posted By: EagleFTE
Sometimes those annoying little things in life throw me off schedule but I try to shoot for around 01 April and 01 October. Works great if you are doing 6 month / 5-6k OCIs. I generally try to avoid January-February and July-August. With a little pre-planning and the luxury of todays oils allowing you to extend if required it works pretty well. If I get off schedule you do what you have to do and try to reset the schedule a bit next time around.
+1
Sometimes those annoying little things in life throw me off schedule but I try to shoot for around 01 April and 01 October. Works great if you are doing 6 month / 5-6k OCIs. I generally try to avoid January-February and July-August. With a little pre-planning and the luxury of todays oils allowing you to extend if required it works pretty well. If I get off schedule you do what you have to do and try to reset the schedule a bit next time around.
+1
My "winter" oil changes come at the end of oct and nov just for this reason. I still want the oil fresh for when the low temps peak a month after solstice, but weigh that against changing in cold. The only bittler cold changes I do are for other people's cars....and those days are over.
I did one on the driveway today at 20 degrees F.
That was about all I did though other than checking the fluids and topping off the tires to proper pressure.
That was about all I did though other than checking the fluids and topping off the tires to proper pressure.
i change it whenever.
the garage we have is insulated usually use a reddy heater, this year we installed a small wood-burner so its not unbearable.
other wise i can do it at work after hours in the shop.
although when i used to change it when i lived in town it was done in a non-insulated cold garage
the garage we have is insulated usually use a reddy heater, this year we installed a small wood-burner so its not unbearable.
other wise i can do it at work after hours in the shop.
although when i used to change it when i lived in town it was done in a non-insulated cold garage
Here in Texas winters are not severe, but i do like to avoid january oil changes if i can.
I long for the day i have a nice garage to keep me out of the heat, rain, and cold when i need/want to work on my car.
I long for the day i have a nice garage to keep me out of the heat, rain, and cold when i need/want to work on my car.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
For people who lives where it can be cold in winter, you should find a good local mechanic who can change oil with what you brought,
+1
For people who lives where it can be cold in winter, you should find a good local mechanic who can change oil with what you brought,
+1
I change based on mileage, no matter the weather. I can either use my Mom's garage, or my mechanic buddy's shop
Originally Posted By: hominid7
Here in Texas winters are not severe, but i do like to avoid january oil changes if i can.
I long for the day i have a nice garage to keep me out of the heat, rain, and cold when i need/want to work on my car.
My garage was a selling point for this house. I need to change the oil on my Jeep within the next week or two. I'll take it for a drive, back it into the gargae, drive it up on the ramps and change the oil. If it is real cold I'll close the gargae door, super cold break out the heater. A far cry from years ago when I'd change strictly by miles no matter how cold it was.
Here in Texas winters are not severe, but i do like to avoid january oil changes if i can.
I long for the day i have a nice garage to keep me out of the heat, rain, and cold when i need/want to work on my car.
My garage was a selling point for this house. I need to change the oil on my Jeep within the next week or two. I'll take it for a drive, back it into the gargae, drive it up on the ramps and change the oil. If it is real cold I'll close the gargae door, super cold break out the heater. A far cry from years ago when I'd change strictly by miles no matter how cold it was.
Just this weekend I did my oil change, it was -2C, it was nice and sunny with almost no wind, so I did not fell the cold at all, what got me this year was wet driveway because of melting snow and I did not have a big enough cardboard box to lay down on, so I got some wet clothes at the end.
Last year it was -10C (february) and strong wind, felt like -20C, I had to go inside a couple of times just to get the feeling in my fingers back
Last year it was -10C (february) and strong wind, felt like -20C, I had to go inside a couple of times just to get the feeling in my fingers back
I don't care how cold it is as long as the driveway is dry. Actually, we've had a cold snap this week so the driveway is now bone dry compared to the slush and rain we had last week. I don't mind dressing properly for the cold.
Regardless of temperature, high winds are a deal-breaker for me. I don't like the wind blowing the dripping oil everywhere but into the drain pan.
Regardless of temperature, high winds are a deal-breaker for me. I don't like the wind blowing the dripping oil everywhere but into the drain pan.
Yes wind is the deal killer, it will sling that dripping oil everywhere. Sometimes it acts like an undercoating getting sprayed on the under carriage LOL, other times it can hit the driveway. Now I use an old appliance box under the car when changing oil, everything stays nice and clean.
Snow, cold, wind, rain....I'm not changing the oil. Fuggetaboudit.
Maybe a good day in November and the next good day in March.
Maybe a good day in November and the next good day in March.
I definetly stick to a 3k oil change due to driving conditions, and my heavy foot regardless of what month it is. I found a shop that will change my oil for $10 and I bring in my own oil and filter. They will even throw a free $11 car wash every once in a while. I find the $10 to be worth not having to deal with the mess, or the cold in the winter.
When ever it's due, back in the day that was really rough in the dead of winter... but now I have a nice 2.5 car garage I can easily heat up when needed.
i change every 5k. I just changed my oil in the rain this past weekend at my parent's home.
Every 5K, rain, snow or sleet be [censored]......gotta love a heated garage.
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