Yes, I have a beater Aerostar van that has about 350 miles on the last oil change that I did in August 09'. The oil is very clean.
Should I leave it?
Should I leave it?
It's been 3.5 years since my last oil change.
- Thread starter midnightlaundry
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Yes.
I probabily would leave it but it depends on how the Aerostar was driven in those 350 miles. If it driven normally with the oil brought up to temperature for the most part and then just parked for the past 3-4 years then no problem.
On the otherhand if it's been on the road for the past 4 years but has only accumulated 350 miles I'd change the oil and also question whether the odometer has been fully operational.
On the otherhand if it's been on the road for the past 4 years but has only accumulated 350 miles I'd change the oil and also question whether the odometer has been fully operational.
If its not in an air tight bottle the oil is on the clock as "X miles or X months whichever comes first".
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
If its not in an air tight bottle the oil is on the clock as "X miles or X months whichever comes first".
Not true.
The engine has to be running for the oil to build up condensation.
If its not in an air tight bottle the oil is on the clock as "X miles or X months whichever comes first".
Not true.
The engine has to be running for the oil to build up condensation.
You said its a beater. Then I'd leave it in. If you're worried take it for a 20-30 mile drive, that should burn off any condensation and excess fuel from when it was last used if there is/was any. If it was a vehicle I cared about, then I'd change the oil and filter.
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Title sounds like the preamble of a Confession to a Priest.
Yeah, the motor has 145k on it, but it always starts right up. Those 3.0 Ford Vulcan motors are solid. I keep it around for dirty jobs like taking 10 gallons of used oil to recycle! I'm not doing that in my car...It's handy to have, but I just don't drive it that much, but it doesn't sit years at a time either.
I'll leave it.
I'll leave it.
From Valvoline. Since they're all in competition, I'll take it that this can be applied to all major brands.
Does motor oil expire? How long does motor oil generally last?
Valvoline motor oil does not have a documented expiration date. Under optimal conditions, the product is stable for an extended period of time and can be used as long as the American Petroleum Institute (API) rating on the label continues to meet or exceed the requirements listed in your owner's manual. If the rating is still current, shake the container before use to blend any additives that may have settled.
Does motor oil expire? How long does motor oil generally last?
Valvoline motor oil does not have a documented expiration date. Under optimal conditions, the product is stable for an extended period of time and can be used as long as the American Petroleum Institute (API) rating on the label continues to meet or exceed the requirements listed in your owner's manual. If the rating is still current, shake the container before use to blend any additives that may have settled.
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No, a change with cheap dino and cheap filter is due.
Originally Posted By: midnightlaundry
From Valvoline. Since they're all in competition, I'll take it that this can be applied to all major brands.
Does motor oil expire? How long does motor oil generally last?
Valvoline motor oil does not have a documented expiration date. Under optimal conditions, the product is stable for an extended period of time and can be used as long as the American Petroleum Institute (API) rating on the label continues to meet or exceed the requirements listed in your owner's manual. If the rating is still current, shake the container before use to blend any additives that may have settled.
Umm, so how do you shake the engine to stir up the additives?? Although the oil is probably OK, it's not worth taking any chances as the longest time only OCI interval quoted by a car manufacturer that I know of is 2 years, which is what some of the new German cars have included as part of the oil change reminder program and that is based on a good full synthetic oil.
From Valvoline. Since they're all in competition, I'll take it that this can be applied to all major brands.
Does motor oil expire? How long does motor oil generally last?
Valvoline motor oil does not have a documented expiration date. Under optimal conditions, the product is stable for an extended period of time and can be used as long as the American Petroleum Institute (API) rating on the label continues to meet or exceed the requirements listed in your owner's manual. If the rating is still current, shake the container before use to blend any additives that may have settled.
Umm, so how do you shake the engine to stir up the additives?? Although the oil is probably OK, it's not worth taking any chances as the longest time only OCI interval quoted by a car manufacturer that I know of is 2 years, which is what some of the new German cars have included as part of the oil change reminder program and that is based on a good full synthetic oil.
Originally Posted By: midnightlaundry
Yeah, the motor has 145k on it, but it always starts right up. Those 3.0 Ford Vulcan motors are solid. I keep it around for dirty jobs like taking 10 gallons of used oil to recycle! I'm not doing that in my car...It's handy to have, but I just don't drive it that much, but it doesn't sit years at a time either.
I'll leave it.
I had just short of 212K miles on my 93 when I junked it. The engine and transmission were fine, original, and had no work other than normal maintenance done. Everything else fell apart. I miss having it as a beater to haul [censored], and park in lots where bad things happen to nice vehicles.
Like I said, don't sweat leaving the oil in it.
Yeah, the motor has 145k on it, but it always starts right up. Those 3.0 Ford Vulcan motors are solid. I keep it around for dirty jobs like taking 10 gallons of used oil to recycle! I'm not doing that in my car...It's handy to have, but I just don't drive it that much, but it doesn't sit years at a time either.
I'll leave it.
I had just short of 212K miles on my 93 when I junked it. The engine and transmission were fine, original, and had no work other than normal maintenance done. Everything else fell apart. I miss having it as a beater to haul [censored], and park in lots where bad things happen to nice vehicles.
Like I said, don't sweat leaving the oil in it.
If 350 one mile trips = CHANGE IT.
If 7 fifty mile trips = LEAVE IT.
If 7 fifty mile trips = LEAVE IT.
Originally Posted By: LoneRanger
Title sounds like the preamble of a Confession to a Priest.
Title sounds like the preamble of a Confession to a Priest.
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
If its not in an air tight bottle the oil is on the clock as "X miles or X months whichever comes first".
Not true.
The engine has to be running for the oil to build up condensation.
Have a couple of cars in storage. One displayed an oil light 10 mins after its first start in 3 years. Oil was changed prior to storage. Had an hour on it max. A quick oil change and the oil light was gone. From that experience I concluded something happens to oil whether the engine is running or not. now I just change it every few years regardless.
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
If its not in an air tight bottle the oil is on the clock as "X miles or X months whichever comes first".
Not true.
The engine has to be running for the oil to build up condensation.
Have a couple of cars in storage. One displayed an oil light 10 mins after its first start in 3 years. Oil was changed prior to storage. Had an hour on it max. A quick oil change and the oil light was gone. From that experience I concluded something happens to oil whether the engine is running or not. now I just change it every few years regardless.
I wonder how much 350 miles cost per mile when adding up 4 years' insurance and registration vs a taxi ride to the dump. ("I keep it around for dirty jobs like taking 10 gallons of used oil to recycle!")
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CHANGE THE OIL. Cheapo dino and cheapo filter. Please.
I would change it with a HDEO and extended drain filter and then never change it again. Just add to it when its low and change the filter every 5 years or so.
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