Topic: Oil change intervals / Winter Storage

[citydude]

In the Outlander manual, it says oil change every 3 months / 6000KM.

What if I don't drive 6000KM in that period, do I still need to do the oil change (every 3 months?) 

If I follow the KM recommendation (but not the month one), can they void my warranty later on if I have an engine problem and they say I didn't follow the schedule maintenance?

To take this question one step further, if I store my car for 3 months in the winter, does it make any sense that I am supposed to do an oil change before and immediately after storage? (even though I put almost no mileage in between).

Thanks.

[mdxtasy]

In the Outlander manual, it says oil change every 3 months / 6000KM.

What if I don't drive 6000KM in that period, do I still need to do the oil change (every 3 months?) 

If I follow the KM recommendation (but not the month one), can they void my warranty later on if I have an engine problem and they say I didn't follow the schedule maintenance?

To take this question one step further, if I store my car for 3 months in the winter, does it make any sense that I am supposed to do an oil change before and immediately after storage? (even though I put almost no mileage in between).

Thanks.

If the car is in storage and not moved for an extended period of time, put some fuel stabilizer in a full tank of gas, have an oil change done before storage, and either take the battery out or get a trickle charger hooked up.

[AVToller]

Check your service (maintenance) schedule. Typically it will say something like "every 6000km or 3 months whichever comes first". That would suggest to me that even with 0 km, technically you would be required to change the oil after 3 months. 

[citydude]

Check your service (maintenance) schedule. Typically it will say something like "every 6000km or 3 months whichever comes first". That would suggest to me that even with 0 km, technically you would be required to change the oil after 3 months. 

Do the engine oil turn bad (and loss efficiency) after some time?  (is that the reason?)

[AVToller]

Check your service (maintenance) schedule. Typically it will say something like "every 6000km or 3 months whichever comes first". That would suggest to me that even with 0 km, technically you would be required to change the oil after 3 months. 

Do the engine oil turn bad (and loss efficiency) after some time?  (is that the reason?)

Not particularly, in 3 months, but in MOST cases, if there is very low mileage being accumulated, it involves extremely short trips. That means that the engine never gets really hot. This in turn means that water etc does not getting driven out of the oil/engine sufficiently thus leading to the formation of sludge and/or other problems. MOST people don't store their cars for 3 or more months and thus no accommodation is made for that. Besides, 3 month changes are a holdover from days gone bye and a good "cash cow" for dealers.

[PJungnitsch]

Changing before storage is always a good idea. I do that on my motorcycles. Have seen pictures of main bearing 'etching' due to the acids in the old oil eating away at the metal during long periods of inactivity. That said, newer oils are pretty good, I've gone with a 1 year oil change interval in my truck as long as I use synthetic oil. I do use it all year long. Took the valve cover off recently and no sludging or anything.

[barrie1]

My truck will be heading to the barn in the next few weeks and will probably under its bag for up to 4 months. All I plan on doing is to leave the gastank full with some stabilizer in it and cover it up with its own bag. The barn is not heated so the mice won't even come near it as they like warmer places to make their homes. I may sprinkle some mothballs under it but thats about it for this upcoming winters storage. I always back it in as well so if the Battery was to be down I can get to it in the spring with ease. Never had to worry about it yet as its Delco 770CCA which is getting up there in backup and supreme quality as well. 

[PJungnitsch]

I've had really good luck with this for the mice in outbuildings, Barry.



One caught over 60 mice over a winter in an unheated workshop I was looking after.

I used peanut butter as bait and a bit of antifreeze in the water to keep it from freezing.

http://www.kountrylife.com/content/gal1017.htm

[articsteve]

 

That's fantastic.

In my farming experience mice enter buildings, especially barns, whether they have heat or not. 

[airbalancer]

 

[barrie1]

Great idea indeed as they walk the plank to their just rewards the little monsters. Defitely easy to setup as well. The Barn I use is a newer metal barn with a stall just for my truck to sit in by itself. There is NO other vehicles in there except for some farm tractors and a speed boat as well. A good friend of mine is giving me a good rent on it for as long as I need it which will be years I would imagine. 24 Beer delivered every month is the price and I am forced to help them get rid of it every time I deliver as well. Thank You for the suggestion.   

[mmret]

I've had really good luck with this for the mice in outbuildings, Barry.



One caught over 60 mice over a winter in an unheated workshop I was looking after.

I used peanut butter as bait and a bit of antifreeze in the water to keep it from freezing.

http://www.kountrylife.com/content/gal1017.htm

Those are some nice mspaint skills

[PJungnitsch]

24 Beer delivered every month is the price and I am forced to help them get rid of it every time I deliver as well.

Heh. You can't beat a deal like that.

[curls]

My dad used the same trap-o-death for mice in the garage for years... always works.  Use a big bucket.

As for leaving a car in storage, it's recommended to start it up once a month or so to get the oil circulating a bit and coat the internals, as well as keep other parts from seizing.

[dr_spock]

That is a great idea for trap.   I should try it on my rodent visitors. 

[articsteve]

As for leaving a car in storage, it's recommended to start it up once a month or so to get the oil circulating a bit and coat the internals, as well as keep other parts from seizing.

The only problem with that is it will ruin the exhaust because it will be full of water from the cat to the tail pipe for 6 months.

[barrie1]

The newer exhausts are mostly made of Aluminzed Stainless materials now so the rust factor isen't totally there anymore like they used to be. My truck has a custom exhaust which is made of good stainless which should last me for the next 20 plus years at least I would suspect. Its actually not all that much more if you shop correctly and have it made to fit your vehicle. 

[mdxtasy]

I'm not a big fan of starting the car when it's stored.  I like to leave it until spring. 

[airbalancer]

As for leaving a car in storage, it's recommended to start it up once a month or so to get the oil circulating a bit and coat the internals, as well as keep other parts from seizing.

The only problem with that is it will ruin the exhaust because it will be full of water from the cat to the tail pipe for 6 months.

Why would it full of water  Did the cat pee in the tail pipe

[safristi]

I'm a believer in USE IT OR LOSE IT THEORY........just a wee run  every few weeks keeps ALL the Moving parts lubed...including the multitudinous SEALS Oink Oink......brakes,clutch yada dada and ya get ta smile as a BONUS......of course ya pick a nice Sunny Sunday wif No SNOW/ICE onna AutoBAHN!!!! ...my 20 year old Mo"bike thrives on that..and If'n I'd followed MY OWN ADVICE and kept the LOTUS insured/liceensed and RUNNING i would not be facing a BIG BILL ta FIX IT!!!!