Should I change my oil in the spring or fall

[spamtank]

Here's a question that nags me.

My car sits for 4 or 5 months in a garage that gets down to ~40-50 degrees

1) Should I change the oil before in the fall, after I've finished driving for the winter (what I do now)

2) Change it in the spring, just before I start driving it 

3) Drain the oil in the fall, and fill it with fresh in the spring? (occasionally I need to run it over the winter)

I'm sure there are purest that say change it every 3 months whether it needs it or not.

[cudabob496]

Here's a question that nags me.

My car sits for 4 or 5 months in a garage that gets down to ~40-50 degrees

1) Should I change the oil before in the fall, after I've finished driving for the winter (what I do now)

2) Change it in the spring, just before I start driving it 

3) Drain the oil in the fall, and fill it with fresh in the spring? (occasionally I need to run it over the winter)

I'm sure there are purest that say change it every 3 months whether it needs it or not.

Seems it would be good to run it/drive it a few times during that 4 to 5 months. Even if you're driving is the cold.

[73EStroker]

If you live in a dry climate like me then I just change in the spring and go.

[Chryco Psycho]

I tend to change oil in the fall & remove the acidic oil before it sits then have clean oil in over the dormant period

[spamtank]

Seems it would be good to run it/drive it a few times during that 4 to 5 months. Even if you're driving is the cold.

I do run it a few times over the winter.  Especially if I'm changing parts, tuning up, or otherwise.

That's why I think # 3 would be best, but then if it gets run over the winter that defeats the purpose.

 But they put so much salt down here in NH that I don't want to expose it to that by driving it around.

[spamtank]

I tend to change oil in the fall & remove the acidic oil before it sits then have clean oil in over the dormant period

That's my philosophy as well.

I'm curious what everyone else thinks.

[Super Blue 72]

Nice post. 

I better change my oil soon... 

[polarbear123]

I cahange mind in the fall. In the spring i run it a few hundred miles and change it again.

[HP2]

I tend to change oil in the fall & remove the acidic oil before it sits then have clean oil in over the dormant period

This is what I do for the same reason. Used oil has a number of nasty things in it. Might as well get it out of the pan if its going to sit.


If you ever do fire it up in the winter months, for whatever reason, make sure you let it run long enough to get up to temp and vaporize any condensation that has accumulated in it. Even if it is just idling in the driveway.

[Changin Gears]

I don't really have a ritual, usually during the summer though.