frequency of oil changes

[Brad Hogg <roadhogg@xxxxxxx>]

I agree.  For my cars, if I am not driving them regularly and I start them
up periodically the I'll change the oil at least each year.  If I intend to
drive the car at all then it will get two oil changes, one in fall changing
to winter oil and one in spring changing to summer oil.  If the engine just
sits and is never started, change the oil to fresh and run it just once to
lube the engine then let it sit.  Never running an engine for a long period
of time is not the best idea for the seals though.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Woolf,Richard" <richard.woolf@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2003 12:49 PM
Subject: RE: IML: frequency of oil changes


Mark,

 I change the oil on my Imperials twice a year spring/fall. I only put about
1,500 to 2,000 miles a year on each vehicle. Oil does break down with short
runs, and most of the car shows/cruises that I go to are short drives.
Oil/filters is very inexpensive insurance vs. motor problems.
Rich Woolf
'66 Crown
'73 LeBaron



> I changed the oil in my '68 yesterday and got to wondering.  In the
> FSM, it says to change the oil every 3 months or 4000 miles, whichever
> comes first.  I haven't put on 4000 miles on this car since I bought
> it, so I haven't changed the oil in 3 years, figuring, well, mileage is
> the key thing.  But now I'm wondering if time itself is a factor.  Will
> old oil go "bad" in the crankcase?  Should you change your oil every 3
> months REGARDLESS of how much you drive?
>
> Thanks, Mark