How many change oil, no matter what weather

[addyguy]

I know a fair few people on here, that live where weather gets bad, change their oil seasonally - fall and spring, so they can do it in decent weather.

I know other people on this site stick more to a mileage interval - every 3, 5, 7, 10k....that could mean that you are do for a OC in the dead of winter, or other bad weather.

How many here are real troopers, and no matter what the weather/conditions, will change their oil if it is due?

 

[LS2JSTS]

I do changes in the winter. But I do them inside in a semi warm garage. The worst is all the [censored] dripping off the car after being on the road. I usually let them sit for a half hour or so before getting under there, cant stand that cold water dripping down on me!

 

[MoparDak05]

I do them during the winter usually. This year I won't be doing a winter change because I'm doing a 15k run of Amsoil SSO that started about 1k miles ago.

 

[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, paying $10-15 for labor isn't bad compares with endure the bad weather for 20-30 minutes.

 

[OilNerd]

I wouldn't say "no matter what weather", as in winter I'll often delay up to a week to two for a decent day (above, or near freezing) without significant snowfall. (One change coming up this week -- Rebate PP 5w30, if you're curious)

The last time I cheated on a cold snap, Sears torqued my drain plug so tight, I needed a 3-1/2" cheater pipe and Super Sockets to get the plug off. Fortunately, no damage was done to the threads.

I do try to "front load" changes in the cold months, as February DIY changes aren't too popular here.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
I do changes in the winter. But I do them inside in a semi warm garage.

+1

 

[firemachine69]

I do changes in the winter. Cooler days are okay, but sub-thermal weather and/or windy days, I'll wait.

 

[Bluestream]

I try and time the oil changes for December and April, so I don't do many winter changes...

 

[demarpaint]

On the 6 month OCI, I change oil in June and December. We get nice days in December. On the 93 Aerostar I go by miles rather than months so I have done oil changes in the dead of winter. The plus is I have a nice garage and portable heat if it's real cold.

 

[tig1]

I changed oil(M1 5-30EP)last June in the Focus. I now have 8000 miles on this OCI and should be good until March. The Fusion was changed two weeks ago(M15-20EP) and will be good for at least 10-12,000 miles. Even though I have a garage it's nice not to fight the melting snow and ice just to change oil.

 

[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.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

I would do an oil change in a blizzard or a hurricane. I go by mileage. I'm weird like that.

 

[pwr2tow]

5,000 miles for my diesel truck no matter if it's 110*F or -30*F in an unheated garage. Working outside at -38*F is no biggy as long as I'm out of the wind. It's the dang heat and sun at 100*F that get me. In the cold I can always put more clothes on but can only shed so many in the summer.

 

[El_Schaf]

I drive 1K miles a week, so If i miss a weekend I have another 1k on the oil. Since my OLM takes me to about 13k, i make sure that I don't push it to 14k. In summary, whatever the weather, I'm changin' the oil when it needs it.

 

[GhostFlame]

I change my oil when it is due. 2 of my cars are on every 6 months right now July and January. I will change them around the 15th rain, snow, sleet or wind.

The other 2 cars are on a mileage schedule and they often fall during nasty winter weather. I actuall y like it. I grew up on a farm where you fixed equipment in the field, in a foot of mud and sleet if you had to... Brings back some old memories... good times.

Last summer I had to replace rotos and pads on my old bBMW. I got it up on all 4 corners in the driveway and it started to rain,,, well it rained for the next 4 days like Noah was a comin'. on the second day. I got my tools my parts and did all the brakes and rotors in the pouring rain. once I was wet it was no big deal. my neighbors took pictures... they just don't understand.

 

[tig1]

In the 70s I lived in Maine with no garage. Once I had to shovel out three feet of snow to just get to the car to be able to do an OC. Today I have an oversized garage to work in. Easy access all the way around the car for maintainence.

 

[eljefino]

The worst weather for working on cars is mid-june when all the mosquitoes are biting one's arms while trying to do some delicate surgery.

I try not to do too much stuff below 15'F as plastic and even metal get brittle then. Midwinter OCs happen on nice days but I generally run synthetic and can stretch. After all the new oil is just going to get abused too.

 

[The Critic]

I just did an oil change + tire rotation in 45F weather. Way too cold for me.

 

[2003f7]

I just changed the oil in my GP (M1 0W-30 AFE) today 12/15. the temp was 7*F with a windchill of -15*F. The garage is full of snowmobile parts so I could only get the front half of the car inside and could not shut the door. It was darn cold but I am anal about my OCI and it was one day overdue.

 

[buster]

Not me. If it's less then about 40F, I won't do it. In a garage, yes.