sl280 oil question

[dmotl]

Just got delivery yesterday on my 1985. I was rebuilt 18K ago with
new rings, timing chain, bearings etc.

Now has 15-40 valvoline in it.

It will be winter stored in MN

Question for fall storage:

do fall oil change putting in Valvoline 15-40 and unhooking battery cables and store until next spring ?

Put in Mobil I synthetic 5-30 and start car once a month over the winter

[tecqboy]

Buy a battery tender. NEVER disconnect the battery except when doing service on the electricals. I store my car in Wisconsin. My method is to fill the tires to 50lbs,dump stable in the gas, park it and cover it up. I don't start it all winter. I change the oil and filter every second year in the spring before the first start. I use 10W40 synthetic blend. Of course I usually only drive 2 to 3K miles per season. Other will have different ideas about storage. My position on mid winter starts is that unless you run the engine all the way up to operating temp, you'll contaminate the oil more than if you just let it sit. Other opinions; chime in?

[230/8]

I agree with not starting it while in storage and leaving the battery tender on, assuming your garage has power and, indeed, you are storing it in a garage. I found a neat tender at WalMart for only $17 last year. Bought three, one for the battery in each of my old wrecks. Nary a hiccup when I started up this spring.

I would add a good cover and make sure the stabilized gas is run through the whole system. Also, keep the tank full, less chance for condensation. As to oil, pretty subjective here, but I use 15W50 Mobil 1 in my '72 SL and my '69 230/8 sedan. M1 15W50 has a -49F pour point which is the same as their 5W30 and 10W30 weights, so the added viscosity protection in summer is a bonus without any penalty.

If you suspect varmints may invade, try a tray of mothballs under the hood and in the passenger area. Put some in small trays around the vehicle, too. I believe they help keep critters from climbing around under your car and chewing the wires. My wife assures me that Bounce dryer sheets will also repel varmints, so I'll be trying that next fall...smells better, too.

230/8

[dmotl]

You told me what I needed to know

[Slatewear]

I have been using bounce dryer sheets in my cars and camper for several years. Works so far.