Oil (Winter into Spring)
 

1998 Boxster with 71K miles (purchased from original owner in October 2010).

Did oil change in late October (Mobil1) and have driven the car only on decent days over the last 4 months. Have only put 900 miles on the car since October 2010.

My question is how much longer can I go before changing the oil again? Is it a mileage question or number of months?

thanks,

Dave

You'll get all sorts of answers
 

I've heard everywhere from 3 to 12 months on time, 3k to 15k on miles.

Myself I do 1 year and 3k for Mobil 1, maybe 2k more miles but not longer time for a better oil. Do a search for oil threads for opinions on better oil grades/brands.

Examine the oil filter for solid residue. Consider a magnetic drain plug.

Mine only gets driven 2-4k miles per year and I change every 6 months regardless of mileage. Given what we've learned about the M96 motors over the last few years I really thinking sticking to the Porsche recommended 1 year intervals probably isn't the best thing to do, JMHO.

I do the twice a year deal even if the miles are low.

Once a year, or between 5,000-7,500 miles in the Boxster (Mobil 5W50). Once a year, or every 5,000 in the 993 Turbo (Mobil V-Twin 20W50). Blackstone Labs UOA's at every change.

I am a believer in the "once a year in the Fall before winterizing" theory. I feel that a car using 9Q of synthetic motor oil in a 2.5L engine probably only needs once a year. The manual says every 15,000 miles.... but they also say to use Mobil 1.
Your oil changes depend upon how and where you drive. If your in the dusty desert all the time, you may need more frequent changes oil changes and air filter. Where I live, we need to change our wiper blades more ofter than air filters.

Flavor 987S,

Why the change from Red Line oil? Are you seeing better UOA's with the Mobil 5W50?

Does the 993 Turbo hibernate with the 987S all winter? Or do you take it out if the weather is decent?

ddb

I changed to the Mobil 5W50 because I've always wanted to try this oil, but it is very hard to find. I have not seen a UOA on this oil yet. I'll see that in October 2011. I expect good results. Red Line was excellent (5W40). I may change in the future, again, to Castrol Syntech 5W50.

The 993 Turbo is sitting at home in my heated (cozy 68 degrees:)) garage with my wife's Mercedes. The 987S is stored off site in a rental garage. My brand new 2011 Explorer Limited (company car) sits on the driveway. :mad: I have a 3 car garage, but the 3rd bay is a work shop.

I got the Turbo in November 2009. I drove her a few times last winter, because she was new, I wanted to play, and learn a little bit about her prior to the driving season. I hibernated her this winter, mainly due to salt residue concerns, and liability issues. It was just too much work keeping her pristine clean. I'll have the Turbo out in about a month (late March) and the Boxster will come out in mid April.

I drove the Boxster till mid October before hibernation. The Turbo was out till the Sunday after Thanksgiving. She LOVES cold weather. I really don't mind the long wait during hibernations. We both need a "rest" from each other. And come Spring, it's like getting 2 new Porsche again!

That has to be a nice feeling when Spring comes around after your winters!

Wow, that 993 looks sexy even under the cover!

I hear good things about the new Explorer. I'm sure they've improved them greatly since the previous generation.

Not too much longer and you'll be enjoying them both again!