Q. Does the oil in my engine lose its protective qualities over time? In
the last year, I put 3,000 miles on my motorhome. Is it necessary to change the oil every
four months when I drive less than 1,000 miles? My dealer says that oil breaks down within
a few months. Is that true?
A. Motor oil doesn’t go bad per se. So, for
example, if the engine isn’t started all winter, you don’t need to change the oil during
this storage. However, if you drive short trips or start your coach occasionally and don’t
run it long, moisture builds up in the oil, which forms acids. In this case, you need to
change it based on the “severe” usage schedule in your owner’s manual.
