Oil Change: Use VS Timeline

[John M.]

My Corvette is a C4 1994 LT1. Due to circumstances I have not put many miles on this car since 2010. My last oil change was on 4/30/10 when the odometer read 56551. Today 10/12/20 the odometer reads 57301. This means that in the last 10 years I have driven this car a total of 750 miles. The oil I use is Mobil Synthetic 5w-30, the filter used is a K&N Performance Gold HP-2001.

My question is: With such little use of this oil, well short of a regular period oil change for miles driven, is it necessary to change this oil? This car is stored every year in an unheated garage for at least 6 months during winter season, 10 months this last year. It would seem to me that this oil has a lot of life left. This oil, as per the dipstick, is as clean as oil fresh from the bottle.

Save the Wave ................ JGM

[Scott S.]

Re: Oil Change: Use VS Timeline

John, A few members have asked me the same question. Let me ask you a question, If the oil sat on the shelf for ten years and you did not know that, would you put it in your engine? Of course you would, so what is the difference?
Happy Corvette driving.
Scott Sinclair

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[Tom E.]

[Mark E.]

Re: Oil Change: Use VS Timeline

Considering the cost of an oil change why take a chance on the oil being contaminated. Oil sealed in a container on a shelf is significantly different than oil sitting in an engine slightly used for 10 years. For one, the moisture in the engine never gets a chance to burn off if it isn’t driven regularly. Additionally, base oils and additives can break down over time further compromising the oil. Why risk damage to the car, change the oil if for nothing else, a peace of mind.
just my .02 FWIW.
Tom

Ditto. Oil and filters are cheap; engines ain't. The chance of water contamination in a C4's sealed crankcase is probably minimal (compared to an older car with a draft tube or breather cap), but may be an issue.

[Duke W.]

Re: Oil Change: Use VS Timeline

You should also be concerned about the coolant and brake fluid condition. Aluminum cooling and brake system components are particularly susceptible to corrosion damage. If it were me I would do an oil and filter change using an OE equivalent name brand oil filter, not something from K & N, do a complete coolant change, and flush the brake and clutch systems with DOT brake fluid.

Coolant and brake fluid should be changed on a time basis unless annual mileage accumulation is over 20-25K per year.

Duke

[Mark E.]

Re: Oil Change: Use VS Timeline

You should also be concerned about the coolant and brake fluid condition. Aluminum cooling and brake system components are particularly susceptible to corrosion damage. If it were me I would do an oil and filter change using an OE equivalent name brand oil filter, not something from K & N, do a complete coolant change, and flush the brake and clutch systems with DOT brake fluid.

Coolant and brake fluid should be changed on a time basis unless annual mileage accumulation is over 20-25K per year.

Duke

Good catch, Duke. The thread is focused on engine oil, but brake fluid and coolant are often overlooked and deteriorate with time.

[Blair K.]

Re: Oil Change: Use VS Timeline

I agree with Mark. My late father used to say the same thing "oil is cheap - an engine is not". Change the oil & filter and sleep well at night.

Regards.