I've got a car here that would be ordinary to most, but it was my Dad's before he passed away, so its something I try to keep in good condition. Its a 2013 Challenger R/T, has ~8K miles on it. I've gotten in the habit of storing it in late fall until late spring and driving it occasionally on sundays in between. I've been debating on changing the oil after storage or before putting it in storage, was curious what everyone's thoughts were on that. The oil might only have 500 miles on it maybe at the end of fall. I've been changing it every spring, but I'm open to doing it the other way as well.
Keeping a car in Storage (Change the oil ? )
- Thread starter cheetah50
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Patman
Staff member
Before is the better way to go. Used oil that has had contaminants in it can potentially cause damage to the engine (even though it’s a mild risk)
Be sure to use fuel stabilizer in the gas. Fill up the tank as much as possible, and add a heavy dose of Stabil fuel conditioner. Drive long enough to distribute the conditioner all through the fuel system. I use the marine formula for my motorcycles and gas for lawn equipment, and it works great.
Definitely change oil just before storage.
Both posts above are what I do with stored vehicles. I keep a Damp-Rid desiccant bag in the garage too. It helps keep moisture low in storage.
BTW - my boss has an Audi TT that she stores in winter and has this blow up bag for it. The car is driven into the bag, and it's zipped up around it. A blower keeps fresh dry air under pressure within the bag. It keeps the car dry, protected from damage, dust and vermin. Might be something to consider to protect something of value.
BTW - my boss has an Audi TT that she stores in winter and has this blow up bag for it. The car is driven into the bag, and it's zipped up around it. A blower keeps fresh dry air under pressure within the bag. It keeps the car dry, protected from damage, dust and vermin. Might be something to consider to protect something of value.
Oil is least of your worries. It will be fine for several years. There is alot of info out there on how to store a car for the long term. At a minimum, use fuel stabilizer. Since its already 12 years old, everything rubber is aging regardless of mileage.
I say if you don't drive it at all, maybe a handful of miles then 5 years max.
Old oil that's been ran a little in 5 years does weird stuff, acts like it doesn't want to stick to metal.
4 is probably a better absolute max with very low mileage like 300 to 500 miles.
It's been discussed. I don't run mine during "storage" status and normally just swap everything out every two years on the day I'm starting it up in spring. Occasionally driving it over the "storage" may change that equation or it may not 
500 miles isn't close to "used up" and the "contaminants" aren't going to affect your engine negatively.
This is a modern car with a decent closed EVAP system so the gas should still be good in spring, but if it isn't, those random misfires until it clears itself out will wind up "dirtying" the oil.
So in your use case, change it after the first full tank of gas has been consumed in the spring.
This is a modern car with a decent closed EVAP system so the gas should still be good in spring, but if it isn't, those random misfires until it clears itself out will wind up "dirtying" the oil.
So in your use case, change it after the first full tank of gas has been consumed in the spring.
This ^^^.
Change oil before storage, but that's really a minor issue. By far, the most important thing is to use a 2X dose of Stabil in the fuel. Also, fill tank completely. This minimizes head space in the gas tank, and will prevent condensation. I speak from lots of experience, I stored my late parents cars, too.
PRI-G fuel stabilizer is all I use now. Stabil in any flavor is junk IMO. It has let me down in the past. I have chainsaws sit for 2-3 years, especially the big one, and start right up on its old gas with the PRI-G with no issues. I have a lot of engines with seasonal storage in my care also including my Traverse which is a winter garage queen.
When you drive it, drive it long enough and far enough to get all the lubricants and their components hot to drive out any moisture in them.
When you drive it, drive it long enough and far enough to get all the lubricants and their components hot to drive out any moisture in them.
Car bag-interesting idea.
I would change the oil every other year.
My 2020 Wrangler is in a similar scenario as yours, though I put about 2500 miles a year on mine. I do nothing for prep for parking for the winter. I occasionally drive it if the roads are dry, but otherwise I just park it and change the oil when it’s due, around 5000 miles. I keep a battery maintainer on it year round and start it in flood mode when it sits more than 3 days or the valves clatter.
My previous Jeep was an older one I really cared about keeping totally salt free, so I would put it on jack stands to take the weight off the springs and use Stabil in the full fuel tank. I did annual oil changes on it, just before storage. It also always had a battery maintainer on it.
I was taught pre winter oil changes on the farm for our equipment.
Sorry about your dad.
My previous Jeep was an older one I really cared about keeping totally salt free, so I would put it on jack stands to take the weight off the springs and use Stabil in the full fuel tank. I did annual oil changes on it, just before storage. It also always had a battery maintainer on it.
I was taught pre winter oil changes on the farm for our equipment.
Sorry about your dad.
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