Once a year OCI....Winter or Summer??

[Superbuick96]

My 03 Blazer sees approxmently 4000 miles a year. About 70%city 30% highway. It does get a weekly 22mile run on the highway. I usually practice 6 month OCI's but been convinced by reading BITOG forums that a yearly oil change will be sufficient. Im going to run a quality Full Synthetic. That being said Is it better fill fresh in the fall for the winter. Or is it better to fill fresh in the spring? Ive read pros and cons for both side on here, but would like to hear more on this topic...

 

[ADFD1]

I'd want the oil its cleanest and best for the winter months, so I would change it just before the onset of winter. Summer time the contamination will brun off faster.

 

[02zx9r]

I have always been a fan of changing in the fall for the upcoming winter.

Most responses are going to be just 'opinion', which is all mine is too

 

[Captain_Klink]

the winter is the hardest on oil, so change it out in the spring. the summer puts very little stress on the oil, and it will head into winter in perfect condition. i would never change it in the fall, unless i was also changing in the spring.

 

[Greggy_D]

Agreed. Change right before winter.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: Greggy_D
Agreed. Change right before winter.
+2

 

[hate2work]

Seriously, it will not matter in the least what time of year you do your annual OC. I would do it when the weather was the nicest, just for your own benefit.

 

[reef]

Originally Posted By: Greggy_D
Agreed. Change right before winter.

+3

 

[Craig in Canada]

Winter causes the most harm to the oil, and it picks up fuel and whatnot which is largely irreversible.

Change after winter, IMO.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: hate2work

Seriously, it will not matter in the least what time of year you do your annual OC. I would do it when the weather was the nicest, just for your own benefit.


+1 I would do it on a nice warm rainy day when there is nothing else happening. Plus get an oil with a high TBN.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Here's a recent discussion on this subject:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/ideally-whens-best-to-do-annual-oci.117951/

 

[Tom NJ]

Originally Posted By: ADFD1
I'd want the oil its cleanest and best for the winter months, so I would change it just before the onset of winter. Summer time the contamination will brun off faster.

+1

 

[bigjohn]

I don't know the answer for sure, but (if in fact) winter is the hardest on oil....it makes the most sense to dump it right after winter is finished. That is 'sort of' common sense to me.

I do 6 month OCI's and I change the oil April 1 and October 1 on 4-Runner and Accent, so it's not a consideration or issue for me.

An interesting side-note....On my motorcycles, I dump the oil December 1st and pour in fresh oil for their "Winter Sleep". I want a strong, fresh add pak in the crank case to thwart any damage while being stored.

 

[AuthorEditor]

There seems to be no single answer that is proven to be correct. Lots of pluses and minuses. We're all just going with our guts on this one, so I'll put in my two cents. Since I change the oil outside in my driveway (no garage), I like to do it when the weather is semi-decent, meaning the latest is around the beginning of November and the earliest in the spring is early April. If I was going to an annual OCI I'd probably make it early November because that's when I last changed the oil. Or, if I wanted something to help me remember it would be just before I get the annual state inspection done, which is when I like to have the car tuned up anyway.

 

[KW]

I have an 03 Blazer and change the oil every October. Heck I change the oil in everything I own in October. My reasoning is that the oil will be at it's best for the cold winter months and once it warms up outside any water collected in the winter will burn off.

 

[daves87rs]

Summer.

 

[demarpaint]

I'd want my oil at it's best for the winter months. So I'd change it just before winter. Honestly I like to change my oil in June and December on anything I really care for that doesn't rack up miles. Oil and filters these days with the deals out there is pretty cheap. Saving a few dollars and possibly damaging an engine isn't worth it to me. JMO

 

[HyperJinx]

I change the oil in the Vette once a year (in the fall).

 

[Superbuick96]

I still follow an 6 month OCI on my Daily driver my Ford. But the Blazer probably racks up 3K annually, and doing a couple Oil changes a year seems like a waste.
Originally Posted By: BigJohn
I don't know the answer for sure, but (if in fact) winter is the hardest on oil....it makes the most sense to dump it right after winter is finished. That is 'sort of' common sense to me.

I do 6 month OCI's and I change the oil April 1 and October 1 on 4-Runner and Accent, so it's not a consideration or issue for me.

An interesting side-note....On my motorcycles, I dump the oil December 1st and pour in fresh oil for their "Winter Sleep". I want a strong, fresh add pak in the crank case to thwart any damage while being stored.

 

[Superbuick96]

I figured there would not be any conclusive answer to this topic, but still wanted to hear both sides. Personaly I lean towards changing it in the fall if only annual oil changes. What Oils contain a high TBN??