I have been doing everything backwards for the last 24 years. I change my engine oil in spring, so I can have fresh oil on my valves so I don't start the engine dry. One year I changed my oil in the fall, but when I started it up in the spring, it was very very rough. I'm not doing that again. I use Mobile 1 synthetic. I change my drive oil in the Fall. Maybe draining your oil in Fall, fill it up half way, then fill it up to the top before you start it in Spring so you don't have a dry start would be the best thing. After reading this post, I'm going to try that, as it makes the most since to me. Also cost effective.

been doing it this way for yrs. Always changed drive oil for a looky see at the color of the lube.