titantx

Hi all,

Sorry if this is in the wrong section.

I've got an oil change question - my 96 Civic is rarely driven and my last oil change was with Castrol Syntec with a K&N filter done in the summer of 2012. I've driven it 1500 since. About 500 miles a year. So now three years later, I'm wondering - should I go ahead and change out the oil? I'm curious about the shelf life of synthetic oil, ESPECIALLY that is already in a vehicle that is barely been used.

Am I doing damage by leaving the oil in there for 3 years now? Or will I just be needlessly spending money if I do another (synthetic) oil change?

Thanks for any and all help.

TomCat39

With a google search I came across this:

UOA is an oil analysis and so it seems synthetics have a much less of an issue with time for break down like conventional. The additive packages are usually much smaller in synthetics as it's engineered molecules so doesn't need the same additives to get the same results.

I suspect you should be just fine with your synthetic for quite some time.

You can always pull a sample and have your own oil analysis and they will likely report your oil is still just as good as when it was on the shelf in a bottle.

eHMxhACk

iTrader: (17)

I've read quite a bit on Bob Is The Oil Guy website and it seems temperature is the biggest factor in oil break down, especially cold.

So while I don't disagree with TomCat, what worked for one guy with his Porsche somewhere in the country won't necessarily be true for you.

You've had the same oil in your engine for 3 years, why not replace it? It's not like it's an overly complicated and expensive process. 30 mins and $30 bucks, done. Took you longer to write your post.





eH.

White_EG1

^^ Not saying tomcats statement is invalid, but I couldn't just sit there and not change the oil. Like eH said temp is a factor. I know in the PNW with temps going below -0 in winter Id think the oil couldn't even lubricate properly with out being warmed for 3 yrs.

Should we even be worried about the oil? What about the filter that was used for 1500 miles then abandoned?



It's your call, but 30 bucks now and 5 mins of your time could save you a lot in the long run.

TomCat39

Very sound advise.

redm3turbo

Its not like we're talking a timing belt here----why not change the oil? Its cheap, quick, easy to do.

TomCat39

Ya know, even with the extra effort on the timing belt, I'd be even more insistent on recommending changing of the timing belt immediately if it was in unknown condition.

Issues with the belt are felt much faster and immediate over old oil. Also in this case there is probably a 50/50 or better chance there is nothing wrong with the oil. An unknown timing belt on the other hand.....

Even though issues from totally exhausted oil are just as severe as a broken timing belt.

SteveT2008

You can send a sample of engine oil to Blackstone laboratories for analysis and ask them to check the TBN number as well. It is pretty cheap, only 35$