change oil or Not?...

[astrochimp]

I have a vehicle in the garage that has been sitting for about four months...The oil in the car doesn't have many miles on it. But I'm wondering If since the oil has been sitting in the pan for 4 months if I should change it and the filter before I start it?

I can't figure out if any damage will occur by just leavin it in and running the car

 

[Campo]

I can't see anything wrong with leaving the oil in..It hasn't been sitting that long.. As long as it isn't a tar like substance when you pull the dip stick.. ( I got a 1940 f-100 that had been sitting awhile the oil was tar )

 

[RTStork]

I have went 6 months before and didn't notice any problems, so I think you'll be fine.

 

[aldive]

It wouldn't hurt to change the oil; oil is cheap. U would at least change the filter.

Good luck.......

 

[Goober]

I'd say go ahead and change it. After sitting so long without running, the last thing I'd want to do is let the oil, that may have collected condensation or other contaminants in the pan, to run through the motor. This may sound like being too cautious, but I'd do it just to be on the safer side. And like Aldive said, it is cheap to do.

 

[Joe93]

I have always been told to change the oil every 3 thousand miles or every 3 months. I would change it just to be on the safe side. Takes only a few minutes and few bucks to do.

 

[rpenner54]

Man thats weird that all you guys say to change it just because its just been sitting there. How long do you think some oil sits on shelves before its sold? Months? Well then it must be bad right?! LOL

I say leave it! I change my oil every 5-10k miles. No ill-effects. There has been a number of tests to prove this too. Do a search on here. Both Gerald and Peter had extensive tests run to see if their oil was breaking down after so many miles.

Oil may be cheap but why waste your money? Especially if its just sitting there.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by rpenner54
Man thats weird that all you guys say to change it just because its just been sitting there. How long do you think some oil sits on shelves before its sold? Months? Well then it must be bad right?!

The "new" oil on the shelf has not been to contaminants from internal combustion, it is in a pure state. Oil is cheap insurance, whether you actually need it or not.

 

[rpenner54]

Originally posted by aldive


The "new" oil on the shelf has not been to contaminants from internal combustion, it is in a pure state. Oil is cheap insurance, whether you actually need it or not.

I suppose you could look at it from that perspective. I just don't like throwing my money away I guess.

 

[aldive]

Oil is cheap replacing a motor or a rebuild is not.

What was that saying..."pay me now or pay me later".

 

[Alec]

I usually change my oil every 3500 miles or 4 months, whichever comes first. Of course, I never let my truck sit for more than 2 weeks without running it. Whenever I go on a long trip (about once every 2 or 3 years), I have my parents or grandparents run it for an hour every week or two.