Early oil changes for extended car stay

[captainm27]

Now I've read here in the forums that people think it's a good idea to change your oil early when you first buy your car. Some say first 500, others say first 1500, etc.

My question is, suppose you buy a leftover previous year model that has never sold. Would it still be a good idea then to change the oil sooner, seeing as it the car has been sitting for months and months?

[R2D2]

Yes-especially in cold climates such as New Jersey where cars are started and moved very short distances for snow removal and shut off.
This is very hard on oil when the moisture doesn't get evaporated out and it combines with byproducts of combustion to form acids. These acids deplete the reserve alkalinity (TBN) until the oil becomes acidic and begins to corrode the engine. There is also other contamination issues to be concerned about with a new engine like break in metals and potentially fuel. If you know the car was on the lot for awhile (and especially wintered there) I'd go 500-1000 mi max. I changed mine @ 1032 mi.

Toyota recommends 6 month max oil changes but I doubt the dealers change the oil in their inventory that often!

R2

[captainm27]

Thanks for the response. Hmm...you are right about the snow removals, I didn't even think about that. And the oil changes? Most likely they don't want to use their own time and money to change oils on cars that are not selling.