It won't be long until winter hits us here in Iowa. My car currently has VR-1 20-50 racing oil in it. My garage is not heated. Would it hurt to put a 5-20 oil in it for winter storage? Thanks! Ted

Why? Are you going to fire it up during the winter?

It's possible Jeff.

I like a quart of Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer in there. Really clings to metal and helps with "dry starts". Been working great on my cars that sit too much.

Why? Unless it's in a climate controlled garage, all it's going to do is create moisture. Let it sit until it warms up again.

I changed the oil before you drove it the last time. It has only backed out of the garage a couple of times since. I thought I should change it before it gets acidic.

If you have only a couple starts on the oil, I'd leave it alone.

One of my friends is convinced that his engines have to be run every month regardless of the season. His reasoning is:

1) Exercises the valve train rather than letting it sit stationary in one position.
2) Keeps the carbs freed up with the swill they now call gas.
3) Keeps all the seals, front timing cover, rear main, water pump, free so they don't seize up.
4) Better than a battery tender for the electrical system.

Now he runs them until they come up to temperature and then about 15-20 minutes more. So far it's worked for him.

Me? If the oil is relatively new (less than 100 miles or so on it) I just leave it alone. That's worked for me with the exception that I've had carb problems in the spring.

I run 5W20Wt Valvoline petroleum based oil in my street car year around

In the winter I go out every once in a while and turn the engine over by hand. I just put a couple of gallons of fresh race fuel in it.

about 15-20 minutes more

Oil temperature tracks engine load, not water temperature. Unless it's actually driven and producing significant power, the oil now contains combustion byproducts including sulfuric acid, decomposed petroleum fractions, and water vapor.

Starting an engine from dead cold is the worst wear it ever sees. Ricardo discovered 100 years ago that the worst ring and wall damage is nearest TDC when cold.
Unless you're going to use it, don't start it at all.

I always change my oil in all my summer cruisers before I put them away for winter. That way they aren't sitting all winter with used oil with contaminants and fuel in them all winter. Probably does not effect anything if you don't but I do it anyway.