Oil Question: Dormat car for a year, do I get itchanged before or after CC road trip - Honda Prelude Forum

prepreludesh · 02-28-2011, 09:29 AM

Here are the facts:

Last oil change May 2010, Royal Purple 5W-30

Car has been started maybe 15 times since then.

Car has not been driven over 150 miles during that time

Engine is a rebuilt H22 from Golden Eagle with around 25,000 miles on it.

I plan on driving the car from Ohio to Colorado in May this year (2000 miles), meaning the oil will have been setting for over a year. Should I get it changed before I start the drive or after I arrive?

Concerns:

After reading some of the national car publications and running across similar questions about owners who don't drive their cars often, it is recommended to get the oil changed once every year if you haven't hit the mileage recommendation by the oil companies. The reason is because water accumulates in the oil and breaks it down or degrades it or something like that. People who run their car regularly don't have a problem with this since it takes 15-20 minutes to evaporate that water out of the oil.

I always use Royal Purple in the Prelude with a K&N Oil filter, so getting an oil change before and after the drive isn't really an option, because each oil change can cost me close to $60 or so.

I'd like to hear some real facts to back up your answer, but opinions are always welcome.

antdrig · 03-01-2011, 05:15 AM

Hello Prepreludesh,

How are you doing? I read your post and I think I have an answer for you. Personally, I would change my oil every three months or 30k miles, whichever comes first, but that's just me. If you wait and wait, then sludge will build up in the engine and it's a ***** to get out. As far as getting the oil change for the trip to Colorado? Do it! Also, just to be on the safe side, make sure you check all your fluids. Even though they look clean and new doesn't mean their properties are still up to par. There is this great shop in Sunbury, OH called SlowMotion Motorsports. If you live around that area, check them out; they will gladly help you out. Of course, other shops will do, but I just thought that I would refer you to a shop that I enjoy taking my 'Lude to. Hope this helps you out!

antdrig

prepreludesh · 03-01-2011, 09:14 AM

Hey Antdrig,

I posted this topic up on Acurazine and got the same responses of changing it before I start the trip, so thank you for sharing yours.

Just so you know, synthetic oil isn't really prone to forming sludge, that's one of the main reasons people put it in their cars and view it as superior to regular mineral oil. Also, you don't have to change your oil every 3 months/3,000 miles. That concept disappeared after the 80's when oil standards were raised and engine tolerances were improved and tighter. The Prelude Owner's manual states that in ideal climate, you can go 5,000 miles per oil change or once a year, whichever comes first.

But yeah, it looks like I'm going to have the oil change done before I take the drive.