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spring/fall oil change

To: "Bjørn Schage" <schage@online.no>
Subject: spring/fall oil change
From: William Zehring <zehrinwa@UMDNJ.EDU>
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 09:33:08 -0500
Bjorn writes:

>Well; to the case.....
>You talk about changing oil in the springtime. I always change the oil when
>I put the car into hibernation. I don't want the acid in the old oil to do
>any damage during the months out of use. Is there a point to this, or am I
>being overly cautious? Would I have to change oil in spring even if I
>changed it in the fall? Should I use any special oil for preservation?

I received similar advice some years ago from my local lbc mechanic and I
have stuck to this habbit of changing the oil in the late fall, just prior
to winter hybernation.  He gave me the same basic logic; that over the
period of the summer, break down products accumulate in the oil that can
cause damage if exposed to metal surfaces for long periods of time.
Granted, 99% of the oil is in the sump for the winter storage, but it still
seemed to make sense to 'rinse' things with fresh oil befor winter nap
(i.e. change the oil, then drive the car at least a few more times).  Now,
all of this begs the issue of just what these breakdown products are and if
todays fabulous high-tech modern subgum oils suffer from such an
undignified experience as 'breakdown.'  Being as I am a cynic at heart, I
think its playing it a slight bit safer by doing the oil and lube in the
fall.  

Cheers,
Will (cynic, at heart)

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