3 months away change oil or let it sit?

The truck will not be driven and will be parked in the garage. My current oil is at about 4x miles with mobile 1 synthetic so it doesn't need to be changed but would it be better to change it? If I get time I'm going to flush the transmission, power steering,, and brake fluid just because it hasn't ever been done to my knowledge at 60k.

Any other things that may need to be done?

 

Will it be started every once in a while? If not, you might need some kind of gas treatment/stabilizer so that the gas doesn't go bad.

 

I've always read it's best to change the oil in a vehicle that's sitting for extended periods of time. If the oil has run through the engine at all its not a bad idea to change it as it for some fresh oil, then again when before you drive it. The oil can become contaminated when the engine runs as it will become acidic as a by product of combustion, if that sits in the engine for those 3 months it could cause some wear or damage. Your money, your truck and your call but that's my opinion, 40 bucks for oil or potential issues down the road.

 

Many new cars only need oil changes once a year, so the oil will be fine. Our trucks need oil changes every 5k, so if you are at 4k I would probably change it anyways in your situation. You may want to use fuel stabilizer but that's probably overkill. Also pump your tires to max psi.

 

Everything you are mentioning isn't really important when a car is sitting for 3 months unused. Your battery and gas are bigger issues. Have someone run it at least 20-30 miles every couple weeks.

All the fluids you mention are just fine sitting idle for 3 months. They don't go bad from just sitting there. Plus at 60K trans and diffs don't really need to be flushed unless you do heavy towing/hauling/ or lots of off roading. Every 100K is pretty fine on those items.
Power steering like never needs to be touched unless their is a problem. Brake I don't touch until I have issues. I don't think I've ever had those flushed before in my trucks, even on brake changes.

 

I would absolutely change the oil before letting it sit and also put fuel stabilizer in the tank.

 

Stabilize the fuel and use a battery tender, that is all that is required for 3 months. You MIGHT consider putting it up on jack stands to avoid getting flat spots on the tires...

 

For those suggesting an oil change while it is sitting do you have a valid reason or just overkill?

Synthetic oil with 4000 miles on it isn't going to hurt anything. To say it is going to damage something or cause wear is just silly. I would leave it until I come back and change it soon after.

Gas just dump some Stabil or equivalent in the tank and fill it up to prevent moisture condensation.

Get it up off the tires to prevent flat spots.

and Battery Tender will help prolong the battery life for the long run.

 

Thanks I'll put some stabil in it and forget about it. The other items are just Preventative things and should be taken care of in my opinion.

 

I'd say leave the oil. Put fuel treatment in the tank and fill it up a day or two before storage. It takes a long time for the oil to become acidic enough to start becoming harmful to the engine. I see that you are using Mobil 1 synthetic. At only 4K-ish I wouldn't worry about it. Hell it could probably go double and be ok.

Ya know what I am surprised that TW doesn't have a more used oil analysis threads. Considering all the mods and technical stuff that others have shared, I figure there should be more interest in it.