Do you change your oil?

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Do you change your oil?

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Most published articles say to change the oil in the fall to get all the contaminents out.
To my thinking I don't run enough miles in a year to have many contaminents so I just leave it in and change it to fresh oil in the spring. This removes any condensation that accumulated over the winter.
Also if you choose to fog the engine then it should be protected for the winter and you would want to get the fogging out in the spring.
Changing twice would seem like overkill but each to his own. Its a matter of your comfort level.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

I follow manufacturer recommendations on mileage and elapsed time. Last oil Change was August 11th so in three months time it would be changed, just in time to go into storeage.

-- Edited by 73SC on Thursday 15th of September 2011 10:54:14 AM

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

I've always changed mine in the Spring. My garage is heated so I don't think I get a lot of condensation in the crankcase.

MorePower · Poncho Master!

I always changed before and after. Overkill, but cheap insurance for a peace of mind. But then again I overmaintain my cars anyway. Too each their own...and dont chinse out on cheap oil IMO

goushdds · Addicted!

I change mine in the spring so that I am running it on fresh oil for the whole season......to me it just sits in the pan all winter anyways so doesn't really matter if it is clean or dirty

SD 396 · Poncho Master!

I change mine in the spring when I get it out and again 3 months later. That is usually enough to get me through the short season we have in Ontario. I don't change the oil before storing the car.

If someone has a good reason to change it I may change how I store the 3 cars I put in storage.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Spring only for oil, and other fluids if needed.

In the fall I drain and put in a bit of fresh gas, put in octane boost, lead additive & Stabil. Also check my anti-freeze. Put on a battery minder.

I start up my car periodically during the Winter on warmer days.

-- Edited by Pontiacanada on Thursday 15th of September 2011 06:45:09 AM

Delta Tango · Guru

The GOAT gets it done in the spring, using brand name 10w-40 and a half a bottle of GM's "E.O.S." due to the fact that the "new oils" are not good for the lifters. And with all of my fleet, I always fill the oil filter with new oil before installing. It's policy where I work!

JerryA · Addicted!

Mine got fresh oil early in the spring. I just changed it last week. I will drive it a bit this fall yet but will leave the oil till spring because I do start it and tinker with it during the winter. Oil and filter are cheap compared to the cost of the engine

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Delta Tango wrote:
The GOAT gets it done in the spring, using brand name 10w-40 and a half a bottle of GM's "E.O.S." due to the fact that the "new oils" are not good for the lifters.
And with all of my fleet, I always fill the oil filter with new oil before installing. It's policy where I work!

Buy oil with Zinc in it?

Oil w/ Zinc content recommended for older engines

Avoid the problem by choosing the right oil-- that has a zinc content of at least .11%.

I've done some research. Here is the zinc content of todays oils:

20W-50
AMSOIL (old) none
AMSOIL (new) none
Castrol GTX .12
Exxon High Performance .11
Havoline Formula 3 none
Kendall GT-1 .16
Pennzoil GT Perf. none
Quaker State Dlx. none
Red Line none
Shell Truck Guard .15
Spectro Golden 4 .15
Spectro Golden M.G. .13
Unocal .12
Valvoline All Climate .11
Valvoline Turbo .13
Valvoline Race .20
Valvoline Synthetic .12

20W-40
AMSOIL none
Castrol Multi-Grade .12
Quaker State none

15W-50
Chevron .11
Mobil 1 none
Mystic JT8 .15
Red Line none

5W-50
Castrol Syntec .10
Quaker State Synquest none
Pennzoil Performax none

5W-40
Havoline none

15W-40
AMSOIL (old) none
AMSOIL (new) none
Castrol .14
Chevron Delo 400 none
Exxon XD3 .14
Exxon XD3 Extra .13
Kendall GT-1 .16
Mystic JT8 .15
Red Line none
Shell Rotella w/XLA .13
Valvoline All Fleet .15
Valvoline Turbo .13

10W-30
AMSOIL (old) none
AMSOIL (new) none
Castrol GTX .12
Chevron Supreme .11
Exxon Superflo Hi Perf 135 .11
Exxon Superflo Supreme 133 .13
Havoline Formula 3 none
Kendall GT-1 .16
Mobil 1 none
Pennzoil PLZ Turbo none
Quaker State none
Red Line none
Shell Fire and Ice .12
Shell Super 2000 .13
Shell Truck Guard .15
Spectro Golden M.G. none
Unocal Super .12
Valvoline All Climate .11
Valvoline Turbo .13
Valvoline Race .20
Valvoline Synthetic .12

5W-30
AMSOIL (old) none
AMSOIL (new) none
Castrol GTX .12
Chevron Supreme .11
Chevron Supreme Synt. .12
Exxon Superflow HP .11
Havoline Formula 3 none
Mobil 1 none
Mystic JT8 .1
Quaker State none
Red Line none
Shell Fire and Ice .12
Unocal .12
Valvoline All Climate .11
Valvoline Turbo .13
Valvoline Synthetic .12

DANO65 · Poncho Master!

I knew there was a reason I liked Castrol. I change mine in the spring. Engines have been fine so far, 11 years on 1, 16 on another, and 20 on the other.

Delta Tango · Guru

Great "Zinc" list. Most of the time it's Castrol that i purchase. And sadly I see no 10w-40 Castrol on the list. i'd be willing to go 10w30 Castrol for the Zinc. Super advice here!

68sd · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

ive been using Castrol since 1993 ,strictly

Stephenzone · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

the beast gets a oil change every 3 month, so 3 times a year and dirty till spring

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Wow lots of answers! biggrin I guess the bottom line is lots of fresh oil, will keep the old cars going...

I like the list with the Zinc....I found it on the internet smile

I think I will try to put it in order..... List with Zinc & List without

I buy the Castrol, when its on sale at CTC.....

I have big 2500HD oil changed and in the storage garage.. cry Put almost 1000 km on it this year....

Will change oil in Monte Saturday, and put it in the storage garage... until it time to put my red shortie away..

Then will bring it back to home garage (I rent two storage places uptown)

Got over 400km on Monte since picking it up.... disbelief

Got fresh gas in the snow blower

Time to hibernate till May......seems like a very short year...

DRI · Addicted!

I don't think this list is accurate as Mobil1 oils do contain ZDDP(as per their site).
Amsoil new z-rod oil contains quite a bit.

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

I wondered about Mobile 1 (thinging I had read they had Zinc) The list is a guide...

Check out your favorite brand on the brands website..

Here is the zinc content of todays oils:

20W-50

AMSOIL (old) none
AMSOIL (new) none
Havoline Formula 3 none
Pennzoil GT Perf. none
Quaker State Dlx. none
Red Line none

20W-40
AMSOIL none
Quaker State none

15W-50

Mobil 1 none
Red Line none

5W-50

Quaker State Synquest none
Pennzoil Performax none

5W-40
Havoline none

15W-40

AMSOIL (old) none
AMSOIL (new) none
Chevron Delo 400 none
Red Line none

10W-30
AMSOIL (old) none
AMSOIL (new) none
Havoline Formula 3 none
Mobil 1 none
Pennzoil PLZ Turbo none
Quaker State none
Red Line none
Spectro Golden M.G. none

5W-30
AMSOIL (old) none
AMSOIL (new) none
Havoline Formula 3 none
Mobil 1 none
Quaker State none
Red Line none

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

With Zinc.....

I've done some research. Here is the zinc content of todays oils:

20W-50

Castrol GTX .12
Exxon High Performance .11
Kendall GT-1 .16
Shell Truck Guard .15
Spectro Golden 4 .15
Spectro Golden M.G. .13
Unocal .12
Valvoline All Climate .11
Valvoline Turbo .13
Valvoline Race .20
Valvoline Synthetic .12

20W-40

Castrol Multi-Grade .12

15W-50

Chevron .11
Mystic JT8 .15

5W-50
Castrol Syntec .10

5W-40
Havoline none

15W-40

Castrol .14
Exxon XD3 .14
Exxon XD3 Extra .13
Kendall GT-1 .16
Mystic JT8 .15
Shell Rotella w/XLA .13
Valvoline All Fleet .15
Valvoline Turbo .13

10W-30

Castrol GTX .12
Chevron Supreme .11
Exxon Superflo Hi Perf 135 .11
Exxon Superflo Supreme 133 .13
Kendall GT-1 .16
Shell Fire and Ice .12
Shell Super 2000 .13
Shell Truck Guard .15
Unocal Super .12
Valvoline All Climate .11
Valvoline Turbo .13
Valvoline Race .20
Valvoline Synthetic .12

5W-30

Castrol GTX .12
Chevron Supreme .11
Chevron Supreme Synt. .12
Exxon Superflow HP .11
Shell Fire and Ice .12
Unocal .12
Valvoline All Climate .11
Valvoline Turbo .13
Valvoline Synthetic .12

Paulish · Guru

I change mine in spring...only. But I dont think ive put 3000 km's on it in a summer.

Penzoil 10 - 40 + Lucas oil stabalizer.

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Paulish wrote:
I change mine in spring...only. But I dont think ive put 3000 km's on it in a summer.
Penzoil 10 - 40 + Lucas oil stabalizer.

How can you tell, the Lucas, is doing anthing?

bowtieboy · Addicted!

Yeah I change my oil biggrin

RacerRick · Addicted!

Change the oil - it gets the acids out in the old oil that can etch bearings. I do this every year, and change it again in the spring. I start the car up about once a month and run it up to temo and drive it back and forth a bit to make sure everything gets lubed and is not seizing up.

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I have never changed my oil and never will. I try to keep everything original.

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Worked out that the 64 Catalina needed it's 2nd. change just before thanksgiving, drove it to Ottawa & back then stored it,no sense changing it again, also it's in heated garage all winter & I do try to fire it once a mth. to stop the t/converter from draining & over fill trans, which causes leaks at dip stick tube seal. Only put 6000mi on Cat this summer, down from last yr. was close to 8000mi.last summer