Should I change my oil?

[Twixboy]

I got an oil change in May and drove it 2,000 miles since then. I'm about to put it into storage for the next 5 months. Should I change the oil again before winter? I figure if I'm going to change the oil annually, I might as well change it now to put it into storage with clean oil since I won't be driving between now and the next scheduled oil change in May 2016.

[rockstar93]

I change my oil before storing the car. From what I've read used oil becomes acidic, so you obviously don't want that sitting in the engine all winter, especially if you're going to change the oil before driving anyway.

Also when the nice weather comes it's one less thing separating you and your car from that first drive

[bosstones]

An oil change is one of the things I do before officially declaring my car stored for the winter. Final drive, change oil, put up on 2x8's, desiccant in the cabin, Stabil in the fuel tank, battery tender, then be depressed the rest of the winter. I'll be following Intgr8r's advice about putting a moisture barrier (tarp or such) underneath as well this year.

[StigJ]

Never changed it before storing. But I always change it in the spring when I take it out again. Never had any issues.

[Daemonblitz]

Originally Posted by StigJ

Never changed it before storing. But I always change it in the spring when I take it out again. Never had any issues.

+1

Don't see the point of fresh oil sitting in the pan for a few months, I do it once the car is out.

[Mirko]

I change oil once the car is out of storage and leave it on a battery tender with a few starts over the winter.

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by rockstar93

I change my oil before storing the car. From what I've read used oil becomes acidic, so you obviously don't want that sitting in the engine all winter, especially if you're going to change the oil before driving anyway.

Also when the nice weather comes it's one less thing separating you and your car from that first drive

Rockstar is correct, the oil becomes acidic due to the combustion in the engine. An oil change before storage is preferable to an oil change after storage. Will it wreck you engine if you don't? No, but you're not being kind to the engine.

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by Mirko

I change oil once the car is out of storage and leave it on a battery tender with a few starts over the winter.

You really shouldn't start the engine during storage unless you're going to get the engine and exhaust system up to ideal working temperature. If you don't get it to ideal working temperature there will be more condensation in the engine and exhaust system, which isn't good. Moisture and storage doesn't go well together.

[Mirko]

Originally Posted by Westersund

You really shouldn't start the engine during storage unless you're going to get the engine and exhaust system up to ideal working temperature. If you don't get it to ideal working temperature there will be more condensation in the engine and exhaust system, which isn't good. Moisture and storage doesn't go well together.

Yup, agree. If I do start it I let it run until the point the system is warm.