I have an 03 disco to that is NOT a daily driver. It’s in the garage most of the time. I only put about 2000 miles a year. It’s got 109000 on it. How often should I change my oil. Also I have some new oil in my garage that’s been sitting for about a year as well does oil and oil stabilizer go bad?

I use a mobile one synthetic with Lucas oil stabilizer and I mobile 301 oil filter.

 

I would do it once a year

 

4k to 5k miles or once a year.

 

I have 2002 Camaro with 35,000 miles on it, similar situation. Change mileage depends more on how you drive it when you do drive it than how long it sits. Also, is the garage semi-temp controlled? Where do you live. Do an oil analysis every year and after a couple years you will know if you can go longer or not.

 

Stupid question time! Why would changing your oil be based on a function of time at all? For example, if I changed the oil and then let the Disco sit for a year in a garage, what's happening to the oil that necessitates a change?

 

For the most part, oil changes should be based on driving habits and conditions. Hence, if you beat the snot out of your rover or drive in extremely dirty/dusty areas...change it more often. This is based off using a quality oil to begin with.

Now, if you live in an area with extreme temperature changes in a short amount of time...then that may add to the reasons for changing oil by a time schedule. Let's say your vehicle sits in a uninsulated garage/storage facility, and temps reach 90+ degrees during the day and drop sharply into the 40's at night...then over time...condensation can become an issue inside the engine. This change will produce moisture. But, if you live in an area with mild or minimal or slowly changing temperatures...go by driving habits and conditions. Sudden changes in temperature is what results in condensation, so minimal or slow changing temps aren't a hugh factor.

When a vehicle is driven, these condensations will be burned off throughout the heat cycle. If you are running a lower temperature thermostat, it may be a good idea to change your oil more often...since it is not reaching desirable temps for burning off internal condensation.

Brian.

 

Nothing unless the garage is unheated, then you have the condensate issue.