# How often to change oil in car not driven? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [October 7, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779 "2014-10-07T19:13:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![misteroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/misteroman/32/7423_2.png) [@misteroman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/misteroman)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/1 "2014-10-07T19:13:49Z")
Have a car that was built in Feb 2013 and sat inside at the dealership until I brought home in November. Was about 475 miles . Car has been driven about 90 miles since. I usually start up about once a mo and let run for approximately 30 mins. Well now I’m realizing the is oil is at least a yr and a half old. Oil life says 68%. Will only be started for winter exercise now. Does this need to be changed or wait til % gets lower? Thanks D ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/2 "2014-10-07T19:30:54Z")
When you say built, do you mean fresh motor? ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 8:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/3 "2014-10-07T20:36:18Z")
I’d change it. Moisture collects from temperature changes and from just idling and not really getting hot. I’d change it every year as it’s something you obviously care about. rotella t6 is cheap. Can you drive it for 30 mins instead of letting it idle? ---
**Author:** ![misteroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/misteroman/32/7423_2.png) [@misteroman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/misteroman)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/4 "2014-10-07T20:44:40Z")
2013 427 vette. That was the build date of car. - - - Updated - - - When I start it I let it run a good 30 mins to get all temps up. Can’t really drive, never registered it. ---
**Author:** ![pirite](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pirite/32/5308_2.png) [@pirite](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/pirite)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 8:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/5 "2014-10-07T20:48:55Z")
at minimum once a year. if you want to do it every six months. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/6 "2014-10-07T20:56:01Z")
I’ve read that starting it and letting it idle is worse than properly storing it. If it’s in a properly humidity and temperature controlled environment I’d just let it be, cocoon style. Research long term storage oils/additives. the oil in the diff is just sitting there along with the brake fluid absorbing moisture magically and tires getting flat spots, etc etc. Coolant hoses could be drying out, etc etc. Cars weren’t meant to sit. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/7 "2014-10-08T03:21:18Z")
I wouldn’t run it all winter. If it is climate controlled condensation should not be an issue anyway. Running it can can cause temperature differentials and condensation on parts that do not get hot. ---
**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/8 "2014-10-08T15:51:13Z")
> [@Blue Eyed Devil](#): > > I wouldn’t run it all winter. If it is climate controlled condensation should not be an issue anyway. Running it can can cause temperature differentials and condensation on parts that do not get hot. I have always herd this, but to question the theory here for a second. For a surface to condense water it needs to be colder that the surrounding air or there needs to be a air pressure change in order to change the dew point of the air holding moisture for example combustion. Since everything about a running engine and transmission would never make it colder that the surrounding air how would moisture collect by letting a car run? ---
**Author:** ![Final\_GTS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/final_gts/32/7359_2.png) [@Final\_GTS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Final_GTS)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 4:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/9 "2014-10-08T16:39:22Z")
> [@somedude](#): > > I have always herd this, but to question the theory here for a second. For a surface to condense water it needs to be colder that the surrounding air or there needs to be a air pressure change in order to change the dew point of the air holding moisture for example combustion. Since everything about a running engine and transmission would never make it colder that the surrounding air how would moisture collect by letting a car run? One of the byproducts of combustion is… water vapor. ---
**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/10 "2014-10-08T17:48:31Z")
Yes i mentioned that in my post ---
**Author:** ![Wahoo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/wahoo/32/8265_2.png) [@Wahoo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wahoo)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 5:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/11 "2014-10-08T17:55:28Z")
> [@somedude](#): > > I have always herd this, but to question the theory here for a second. For a surface to condense water it needs to be colder that the surrounding air or there needs to be a air pressure change in order to change the dew point of the air holding moisture for example combustion. Since everything about a running engine and transmission would never make it colder that the surrounding air how would moisture collect by letting a car run? I don’t really understand your last part of your question, but a running engine is hot enough that moisture would probably just evaporate and not just condensate on it. ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/12 "2014-10-08T18:03:20Z")
> [@Wahoo](#): > > I don’t really understand your last part of your question, but a running engine is hot enough that moisture would probably just evaporate and not just condensate on it. I think the issue people have is firing a car up in the winter for 5-10min and not actually running it hot enough for that to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Minglor](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/minglor/32/7373_2.png) [@Minglor](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Minglor)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/13 "2014-10-08T18:16:43Z")
If you need someone to drive it for you just let me know. ---
**Author:** ![TradersBASE](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tradersbase/32/5321_2.png) [@TradersBASE](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TradersBASE)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/14 "2014-10-08T19:30:54Z")
> [@Minglor](#): > > If you need someone to drive it for you just let me know. Finally someone said something intelligent. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 7:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/15 "2014-10-08T19:59:44Z")
Heaterz ---
**Author:** ![misteroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/misteroman/32/7423_2.png) [@misteroman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/misteroman)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 8:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/16 "2014-10-08T20:42:25Z")
> [@LZ](#): > > I think the issue people have is firing a car up in the winter for 5-10min and not actually running it hot enough for that to happen. So would 30 mins be good enough ? - - - Updated - - - > [@cougarspeed](#): > > Heaterz Actually drove it to a private party/ car show a few weeks back and got on it for the first time and when it hit 2nd actually got a little sideways but stayed in it. Would that be considered a heater? ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 10:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/17 "2014-10-08T22:37:17Z")
Rolling heater, definitely. Idk about just idling. It depends on what timing is like at idle, I imagine it doesn’t really get hot hot, things aren’t circulating fast and getting worked. It’s better off to properly store it and just leave it be. ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 5:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/18 "2014-10-09T05:53:54Z")
I would change the oil once a year and then run the car for a half hour or so, preferably driving it. I wouldn’t run it at all until a year later and repeat. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 6:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/19 "2014-10-09T06:03:18Z")
> [@theblue](#): > > I would change the oil once a year and then run the car for a half hour or so, preferably driving it. I wouldn’t run it at all until a year later and repeat. +1 ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 6:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779/20 "2014-10-09T06:17:31Z")
You should just sell the car, because you’re basically just wasting space and money… [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-often-to-change-oil-in-car-not-driven/270779.md?page=2)