Should you change oil before storing it for the winter?

[lucad2]

I have always wondered this. I always change the oil before and after the winter, but is their really a point to change it before putting it away?

[blakneto]

hmmm not sure either? do you periodically start your car while its in storage?
I would assume... that since you are not USING the oil, its molecular structure shouldn't change because there is no HEAT or FRICTION being applied?

That said... some people say they change their oil every 3 months or 7/10/15k. But i guess that assumes even minimal use...

The Star Trek in me says, you should be OK.

But by no means am I a mechanic or an expert...

[vintagez]

I can see changing it before storage, then it is clean when you want to start using your car in the spring, changing both before and after winter seems a waste, nothing happens to your oil while it is sitting for the winter. Just my 2 cents

[BigD]

If you're gonna change it, change it after storage. There's going to be a lot of condensation built up inside the motor, so there's some benefit to changing it after. But not a big deal either way. It's more important to fog the cylinders before long term storage because if rust gets on your cylinder walls, your motor's done. But again probably not a big deal for a few months at a time.

[propr'one]

I usually change the oil before storage to some cheap semi-synth with cleaning agents in it (quaker state) and then change it again pulling it out.

[2000BMW323i]

eather way u will need to change it after anyway it will be sitting for a while so doesnt really matter

[lucad2]

Ive been hearing a lot about fogging your motor. What exactly is that?

[davericher20]

I didn't change the oil before I stored my car, but always after in the spring. SO you're good....but it was never near the end of it's life. If the oil was at the end of it's life before I stored it, I didn't want that shit sitting in my engine for 4-5 months so I would change it.
Fuel stabilizer helps too

[ac_2007]

No, change it after.

[agentM]

You should change it before storage. Unless you want the dirty oil in your engine for months over the winter. Leaving clean oil is always better to leave dirty oil.

[noodles101]

for those who store their cars for winter.. do u guys start it couple times through out the winter? or dead cold for the whole winter?

[InfiniteDice]

Fogging is just spraying it with oil internally to keep condensation or moisture in the air from corroding the parts. You can find fogging procedures online I'm sure. Partly done by removing the plugs and spraying fogging oil into the cylinders, then rotating the engine over a few times by hand to coat the cylinder walls.


When people put classics into storage they fog it for protection.

[agentM]

I do not start the engine at all through out the winter.

[vintagez]

Never start it once stored, it is dry, why introduce moisture in your exhaust and engine, it will never warm up enough to dry everything out, just let it be. Besides you will just disturb the mice that are sleeping.

[MrRWD]

^
Correct. Don't Start it unless you can drive it for 30 minutes (not just idle).

Take a look at this thread. It's pretty much what people with Classic Cars do.

http://www.maxbimmer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21710