Change oil before or after winter storage?

Pharmacist · 09-11-2011, 10:32 AM

Before. Moisture and contaminants can get into the oil. Not to mention carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur oxides from combustion can get into the oil along with the moisture and create slightly acidic conditions which can corrode the engine.

thekinn · 09-12-2011, 12:05 PM

I do both before and after.

red6spd · 09-12-2011, 12:10 PM

I just did an Oil Change last month. That oil will sit in the car from the time I put it in the garage at the end of November till next spring. At 11-12 bucks a qt for RedLine I cant be changing it left and right.

thekinn · 09-13-2011, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red6spd

I just did an Oil Change last month. That oil will sit in the car from the time I put it in the garage at the end of November till next spring. At 11-12 bucks a qt for RedLine I cant be changing it left and right.

The use something cheaper before storage.. whatever name brand synth that is on sale.

red6spd · 09-13-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekinn

The use something cheaper before storage.. whatever name brand synth that is on sale.

Yea I guess I could do that. How long you guys storing your cars for winter?? Last year my Z went to sleep for about 4 and a half month Dec to about maybe middle of April. This year I think I'm gonna be putting her away in the begining of Nov and not take her out till April at some point.

Pelican170 · 09-13-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red6spd

Yea I guess I could do that. How long you guys storing your cars for winter?? Last year my Z went to sleep for about 4 and a half month Dec to about maybe middle of April. This year I think I'm gonna be putting her away in the begining of Nov and not take her out till April at some point.

Im pretty much the same as you... and I plan on doing what you did. Just got it changed a few weeks ago, not doing it again until after the break... I think people can get a little paranoid with certain things. I know people who have stored their cars in the winter without an oil change and never had a problem... Actually, now that I think of it, I dont think ive actually heard of anyone ever having a problem by having their old oil sitting in the car for storage. Also, whats the difference if the car is stored or not, it still has the same oil running/sitting in it regardless of being stored or not...

Pharmacist · 09-13-2011, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican170

Im pretty much the same as you... and I plan on doing what you did. Just got it changed a few weeks ago, not doing it again until after the break... I think people can get a little paranoid with certain things. I know people who have stored their cars in the winter without an oil change and never had a problem... Actually, now that I think of it, I dont think ive actually heard of anyone ever having a problem by having their old oil sitting in the car for storage. Also, whats the difference if the car is stored or not, it still has the same oil running/sitting in it regardless of being stored or not...

I think the difference is when you run the engine, then the heat vaporizes some of the moisture and acid away. If the oil is cold and stagnant, that doesn't happen.

11Thumper · 09-14-2011, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican170

Im pretty much the same as you... and I plan on doing what you did. Just got it changed a few weeks ago, not doing it again until after the break... I think people can get a little paranoid with certain things. I know people who have stored their cars in the winter without an oil change and never had a problem... Actually, now that I think of it, I dont think ive actually heard of anyone ever having a problem by having their old oil sitting in the car for storage. Also, whats the difference if the car is stored or not, it still has the same oil running/sitting in it regardless of being stored or not...

If you leave older oil in then change it (and the filter) before you run the engine after it's been sitting. I just can't believe how some people try to save 50 cents to pay a dollar later.

Oil is cheap and if you have to leave the car sitting for a while in winter, factor that into the purchase price of the car. Is $50 for an oil change really more than you can afford?

2004YZFR1 · 09-13-2011, 08:53 PM

Always before storage.

09-11-2011, 10:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pharmacist A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,249 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 20	Before. Moisture and contaminants can get into the oil. Not to mention carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur oxides from combustion can get into the oil along with the moisture and create slightly acidic conditions which can corrode the engine. __________________ 2009 370z Sport Touring/Nismo shift Knob/Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler

09-12-2011, 12:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
thekinn Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 208 Drives: 06 350Z LS MT Rep Power: 6863	I do both before and after. __________________ 06 Enthusiast MT - v2

09-12-2011, 12:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
red6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 3,277 Drives: 2010 Z Coupe M6 SPT Rep Power: 23	I just did an Oil Change last month. That oil will sit in the car from the time I put it in the garage at the end of November till next spring. At 11-12 bucks a qt for RedLine I cant be changing it left and right. __________________ 2010 Base+Sport 6spd: Stillen G3, FI Non-Resonated CBE, FI Non-Resonated Test Pipes, UpRev Tuned, Custom 24R Oil Cooler, JDM Rear Fog-OEM Harness. ???Whp ???WTQ (Will find out come spring time)

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09-13-2011, 08:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
2004YZFR1 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 308 Drives: 09 370Z yellow,auto Rep Power: 17	Always before storage.