I normally change my oil every 10,000 miles or every year whichever comes first (it's usually a year) But my car has been doing more sitting than normal this year because I've been over seas since the end August. I'm headed home for Christmas, and then I'll be gone for 12 months.

I normally change my oil in November, so it was last changed in November 2015 with mobil 1 european spec 0w40 synthetic. I didn't change it in August when I parked the car since it was just going to be parked for a few months. My question is, should I change the oil twice in December?

My plan was to drive it when I got home, and then change the oil when I park it, but now I'm kind of having second thoughts about driving it with 13 month old oil, even if the oil hasn't seen many miles (I think 5,000-6,000). I'd also like to not spend an extra $50 on a superfluous oil change.

So as I see it, my options are:
1. Drive on the oil its got, and change it when I park it.
2. Change it when I get home and park it with that oil in it.
3. Change it when I get home, and change it again when I park it
4. Change it when I get home, and change it when I park it but don't change the filter.

What should I do?

 

I'd worry less about the oil and do something about the fuel. You should treat it with something like STA-BIL. Run the engine a bit to get it circulated thru the injection system. Without it the gas will varnish everything causing real problems.

 

How far you driving it home? 5-6,000 miles is pushing it. Heet or an appropriate additive for the fuel. If tank is low, fill up on highest octane you can find.

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

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I forgot about that. otherwise you'll get moisture condensation in the tank, i.e. water. You really don't want water in there.

 

Oh, sorry for the ambiguity. I did stabilize the fuel when I parked it so I should be good there. It's also had recent brake fluid flush, tranny fluid change, and coolant change (within the past year or so)

I've driven about 5,000-6,000 miles with the current oil in the car, I'll probably drive at most a 1,000 miles when I get back home to it before I park it again.

 

So.... I'm probably good?

 

I'd say yes. Drive it and do the change in December. Do make sure you check the level though. Motor on!

 

Thanks! I definitely plan to give it a thorough once over before I pull it out of the garage.