oil change interval

Michael N. Marcus · Post by **Michael N. Marcus** » Wed May 16, 2007 3:47 pm

"Back in the day," when I used my '74 Sport Coupe for all-night rallies, I sometimes changed the oil before and after the event.

My '78 Spider has a much more leisurely life: car shows and country drives, totaling maybe 2K miles per year. I've been changing the oil and filter each spring.

Is that enough, not enough, too much?

I still have New Old Stock Fram PH7 filters bought 30 years ago for my '74.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Wed May 16, 2007 7:55 pm

I change the oil in all my vehicles every 3,000 miles except the Fiats. They get it once a year since they don't see 1000 miles a year. Some suggest doing it every 3 to 6 months but I'm unclear as to the reason...condensation perhaps? Or oil breakdown?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed May 16, 2007 9:20 pm

6 mos is the rule of thumb for the reasons you suggested; dilution, condensation, etc. Running an engine for short durations doesn't create enough heat to evaporate contaminents

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Thu May 17, 2007 8:15 am

So, if I change the oil when I put my car away for the winter at the end of october....store it for six months....are you saying that i need to change the oil as soon as i get it out of storage at the end of april?

Oh, in case anyone has forgotten....Michigan Winters Stink!!

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu May 17, 2007 11:13 am

yes, after sitting for 6 mos the oil should be changed

pertyfly · Post by **pertyfly** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:36 pm

Yeah, I'm in the same situation!
You can't get around doing it twice a year either. Because it HAS to be done before you put it away or else all of the contaminates and acidity of the oil will damage the engine and bearing surfaces, etc when sitting that long.

Fun stuff ... We can't even drive it the whole year, and we've gotta do extra work anyways! LoL

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:42 pm

think of it as a chance to bond with your baby

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Thu May 17, 2007 3:42 pm

so, throw in 5 qts of the cheapest stuff i can find, drive to the storage location roughly five blocks away and park for 6 months.

return the 5 blocks and drain the oil the following spring, put brand new quality oil in?

what has happened to those five quarts of oil driven a total of ten blocks in six months time?

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Fri May 18, 2007 6:05 am

Save it for your lawn mower?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Fri May 18, 2007 10:26 am

deteriorated, just like the fuel in the tank and absorbed contaniments

Michael N. Marcus · Post by **Michael N. Marcus** » Mon May 21, 2007 4:12 pm

So Cal Mark wrote:deteriorated, just like the fuel in the tank and absorbed contaniments

OK Professor Mark; here's another possibility.

My Spider gets stored in my own garage -- not locked up miles away where I can't get to it.

How often should I start it, and for how long should I run it, during the off-season, so I only need to do Springtime oil changes?

Once a month for 30 minutes? Once a week for 10 minutes?

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Mon May 21, 2007 5:22 pm

relative to where you live, your climate will change. that question cannot be answered correctly for every climate possibility.

Here is what i have done for 12 years in southern Michigan (where winter is bad for your car's health)...

1. drive 'til the last possible second before salt is profusely sprayed throughout the land, endangering every living Steel Machine in sight.
2. put the lovely Spider "away" by adding Stabil to a full gas tank, and an engine with a fresh oil change.
3. Start the engine once per month for three months, and run the engine for as long as needed to bring the temp gauge up to normal operating range.
4. forget to repeat step three for two months. as an afterthought, beg Guido forgiveness for the oversight.
5. repeat step 3 near the end of the storage time period.
6. remove the vehicle from storage as soon as the spring rains have washed away the telltale signs of white crusty salt from the ashpalt streets.
7. drive like a mad-man for as long as possible, dodging the spring rains, and constantly watching over my shoulder for frost, and a late snow fall...which always encourages the salt trucks back out "just-one-more-time"
8. change the oil religiously every 3,000 miles. change the filter at the same time. enjoy the beautiful Michigan summer, curse the vile winter, and pray that the pending fall be as late, as long and gentle as possible.

STP · Post by **STP** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:09 am

Hello everyone,

With spring just around the corner I thought that I would resurect this post. I did not start my spider up every month and let it run for a while - Is there anything else I should do prior to starting it for the first time in the spring other than changing the oil?

Steve

pope · Post by **pope** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:12 pm

Anyone can do what ever they want, its only money but changing it before 6000 (or once a year if you put it away for the winter) is a waste. At 3000 miles, oil still has its minty fresh taste.

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:16 pm

Above in step "7. Drive like a mad-man...." you forgot swerving around potholes, it a natural part of spring thaw, I know we get our share in Canada.

Just think what those babies can do to our suspension, rims, and dare I say oil pans!

oil change interval

oil change interval

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