Just before storing the car for winter (within 50-100 miles), I change the oil and filter. Then when the Mustang comes out of winter storage,I've been changing the oil and filter again (again, within 50 miles). I always did that with my I/O boat motor, too. I don't want to sound cheap, but is it really necessary to change the filter? And for that matter, the oil? Have the oil "additives" (whatever they are) reallly evaporated over that time, even with no or limited running time? (I do start the car up and run it for 20 minutesevery 3 or 4 weeks, so maybe condensation is an issue, unlike the boat which was in cold storage and untouchable for six months). Opinions? (P.S., the oil change in April will last all season since I'm only driving about 1500 miles a year.)

 

Personally,I would only change it after you take it out of storage.

 

Yea, no need to change it before you store it and after you take it out. Put it up then change it once you take it out of storage.

 

I change the oil & filter every Spring. I use 50 weight oil & use a Ford Racing filter. I put about 1,000 - 1,500 miles on my car per year. I've been doing this for about 10 yrs now without any problems.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2576315

 

oil changes are the cheapest mechanical insurance you can buy...if i were you id just use a good blended oil and a wix filter every spring and not worry about changing it in the winter. It will cost you like 25 bucks.

 

You change the oil when you take it out of storage not because the additives have broken down, but condensation has built up in the oil pan and wil mix with the oil, and we all know that is bad. There is absolutely no reason to change the oil before you store it.

 

Like everyone has said, change it afterwards but not before. The additives(deterrgents*) will sit in your engine and expire by the time you take it out, even though you havent ran it.

 

I would like to see some research or proof of that statement. Detergents do not deteriorate just by sitting in the oil pan. No oil sits in the engine, only in the oil pan.

 

might be good to throw some STP in there and run it a little before letting it sit though, its sticky icky and should help leave a nice coat of lube on everything so when you fire it up in the spring its not bone dry. when my dad went to give me his 302 block that was garbage bag wrapped sitting in storage for 10 years, he opened the bag to find that there was still a oily sticky film of stp on everything and it handt rusted, and it doesnt have those crappy additives like slick 50 or greased lightning (those products are evil and should be avoided at all costs)

10 friggen years and it hadnt ran down, that should be a damn commerical.

 

detergents in the oil help break down engine buildup and sludge. If you let it sit in a dirty pan, it will do its job while its stored and losses its effectiveness over time..