I've always changed my oil every 3 months (never reach 3k miles), and use the HP-3002 K&N filter with Castrol Syntec 0W-30.

This is my cars 'storage' schedule while away at school:
-first stored after summer later August
-Driven for a week in November for Thanksgiving
-Driven for about 4 weeks end December/beginning January
-Driven a week in April for spring break

This year, I changed the oil late August, and am changing it this Thursday when Autozone finally gets my filter. Under 400 miles were added to the car, no racing. What are better intervals to change the oil? Once late August, then before I store it in Nov? Or should the second be when its out for winter? Or wait till spring? November, then spring? Etc. etc. on the combinations... Also, would I be fine with the same filter from August till I bring it back out in May seeing there are so little miles added to the car?

I would prefer every 3 months or at least at the season changes, but the costs of a $13 filter and $5 a quart oil have forced me to question the experts here first. Thanks!

 

The only reason you ever have to change oil is because it eventually will pick up particles. When it gets to a point where it can't suspend the particles, it needs to be changed. Well actually, it should be changed before that, but anyway. Oil doesn't get dirty from just sitting there. You should be good every 3000 miles. When oil companys or places like Jiffy Lube say to change it every 3 months, they're just trying to sell oil.

 

Given the limited amount of driving and the high quality synthetic oil, I don't think that you'd have any problem going a year on your oil and filter. With as little as you drive, changing the oil more frequently provides practically no benefit at all.

If you can have someone start the engine and let it run at operating temperature for a half hour or so every month while it is in storage, it will help keep a good film of oil protecting the insides of the motor and help evaporate any condensation.

Fuel stabilizer is good before long term storage as well...

 

Yea - I go through a lot before storing it (stabil, etc, etc) - I don't just turn it off somewhere outside and let it sit. It's kept covered inside a heated garage. I guess I wont worry so much and I'll just change it this week, then before storage again. Thanks

 

Isn't there a chance the oil will get milky from sitting due to condensation?

 

In a heated garage, there shouldn't be any threat of condensation problems in the oil. If the car is stored somewhere where there is high humidity and temperature variation, there could be condensation problems... Environment plays a big role in condensation problems.

 

Then he probably doesn't need to start the car once in a while either...

 

If your going to change it your better off changing it before you driving it, not before you store it.

 

Honestly for that usage I would use a "cheap" oil and filter pick your favorite 5w-30 dino and a plain Delco filter and call it good. The higher end stuff really shines more in long drain intervals by milage and severe service conditions, neither of which really describes what you are doing.
With all the choices we have in synthetics and "high performance" filters they almost have auto enthusiasts believing that dino and a $3 filter will do harm but that is not the case Might also consider six month changes as the 3K 3 month rule is long outdated todays motors and oils are well beyond that. Here is a link that even if you are not interested in the product has some info. http://specialtyformulations.com/ check the products page and the "Classic Form" details even besides the product there are some good tips. I just ordered some custom blended ATF from this guy even after shipping it was less than M1 or Amsoil Synthetic ATFs and hopefully will work better but it will be awhile before I get some miles on to really test it.

 

Thanks for the good info guys!