6 mo OCI or sooner?

[2000Trooper]

I just started a new job that is all but 1.5 miles away from my home. The temperature needle doesn’t nudge 1 bit by the time I get to work. I mostly drive because I have to be in early and don’t want to walk through a couple of sketchy blocks while it’s dark out. With that said I’m looking at switching to a 6 month OCI. But between the cold weather, and extremely short distances should I be more conservative? Say 3 months? I’m assuming whatever blow by there is will stay in the crank till I drain it since I don’t really drive outside of the commute. I’m in the city so public transportation or walking usually wins.

Anywho, I know 6mo is kind of the standard for those who don’t drive a whole lot, just wondering if y’all think it’s acceptable for these short distances

 

[edyvw]

I would drive the car now and then longer distances. Also, keep an eye on the battery.
But OCI depends on an engine. Is it DI/ Issues with fuel dilution?

 

[SC Maintenance]

I just started a new job that is all but 1.5 miles away from my home. The temperature needle doesn’t nudge 1 bit by the time I get to work. I mostly drive because I have to be in early and don’t want to walk through a couple of sketchy blocks while it’s dark out. With that said I’m looking at switching to a 6 month OCI. But between the cold weather, and extremely short distances should I be more conservative? Say 3 months? I’m assuming whatever blow by there is will stay in the crank till I drain it since I don’t really drive outside of the commute. I’m in the city so public transportation or walking usually wins.

Anywho, I know 6mo is kind of the standard for those who don’t drive a whole lot, just wondering if y’all think it’s acceptable for these short distances

You didn’t say what car.

I would be more worried about things like cats and intake valves than oil. Take it for a 20 mile highway drive every 2 or 3 weeks.

 

[Oillover]

With commutes that short, this is the only situation where I'd recommend an EV.
Only the battery and tires need to be checked periodically. Aside from that, this is the perfect scenario where an EV thrives.

 

[SC Maintenance]

With commutes that short, this is the only situation where I'd recommend an EV.

If someone gave it to you. ROI is about a million years.

 

[JoelB]

I'd trickle charge that battery overnight occasionally with that type of driving.

 

[panthermike]

Agreed on the battery. Definitely do the car a favor by taking it once a week on an extended drive.

 

[RyanY]

Sounds like a good reason to take a circuitous route home each day...maybe to visit a parts store (or bar) on the other side of town (?)

 

[MRC01]

If you can drive that car on the freeway and get it up to full operating temperature at least once per week, it will be fine. The goal is to drive long enough for the oil to get hot enough to evaporate water. That takes longer than the engine temperature light going to normal. If you can do this, you don't need 6 month oil changes. And if you can't do this, you risk water accumulating in the oil and accelerated corrosion -- which is something that 6 month oil changes won't fix.

In short: the best medicine for your car is to drive it for at least 20 minutes and get it on the freeway once per week.

 

[ATex7239]

Go off the severe service timeframe in your manual with the specified oil in your manual. If that is six months, then yeah, go with six months. If that is shorter, then you’ll need to shorten it obviously. You can take it out for longer trips periodically if you think it is necessary, but I wouldn’t stress over it. I am not one to alter my daily routine/schedule to suit a machine. I do what I do and just change my maintenance requirements accordingly.

 

[Malo83]

I had a short commute to work, on my truck I would take it out on the weekends for long high speed cruises to burn off any residue from all the short tripping.

 

[2000Trooper]

I would drive the car now and then longer distances. Also, keep an eye on the battery.
But OCI depends on an engine. Is it DI/ Issues with fuel dilution?

You didn’t say what car.

I would be more worried about things like cats and intake valves than oil. Take it for a 20 mile highway drive every 2 or 3 weeks.

I'd trickle charge that battery overnight occasionally with that type of driving.

Agreed on the battery. Definitely do the car a favor by taking it once a week on an extended drive.

It’s a Toyota Tacoma 2.7L. No fuel dilution that I’m aware of. Just wanting to keep this thing forever that’s all. It’s paid off and looking at new truck prices I’ll keep this slow poke until the frame gives.

Also I have solar panels that keep the batteries topped up This truck wasn’t intended for the city but here I am

 

[edyvw]

It’s a Toyota Tacoma 2.7L. No fuel dilution that I’m aware of. Just wanting to keep this thing forever that’s all. It’s paid off and looking at new truck prices I’ll keep this slow poke until the frame gives.

Also I have solar panels that keep the batteries topped up This truck wasn’t intended for the city but here I am

6 months to a year.
Just give it a nice run once a week or once in two weeks.

 

[Nessism1]

I just joined the 6 month oil change crew! My commute is 6 miles. Longer than 1.5, but not enough to drive out moisture, and burn off extra fuel from my DI engine. Even at 6 months, the oil stunk pretty bad. Smelled like fuel, and old oil. Kicking myself for not doing this sooner, but the car only has 35,000 miles on it, and previously I did 5,000 mile changes, so don't think there was a whole lot of damage done.

 

[barkingspider]

I'd trickle charge that battery overnight occasionally with that type of driving.

This ^

 

[ChrisD46]

Agreed on the battery. Definitely do the car a favor by taking it once a week on an extended drive.

The replies to take the vehicle out for a good spirited highway / interstate run (of at least 20 miles one way every other week I suggest) is good advice to get the oil up to temp to burn off moisture , fuel contaminants , etc. from your short tripping . *Pick a specialty store , a nice park , etc. 20+ miles one way from you to visit then return home the same rout . Cabela’s meets that requirement for me twice a month to burn off moisture from my short suburban trips to the grocery store , gym. etc. My OCI’s with the above protocol are 3,000 to 4,000 miles / 6 months (which ever comes first) using a good synthetic oil in the correct grade for the vehicle (Mobil 1 , Pennzoil , Castrol, etc.) Lastly , consider moving to a long drain oil such as Mobil 1 EP series good for 20,000 miles . Of course you will not put 20,000 miles on your vehicle based on current driving habits but such extended drain oils have more robust additives which should help mitigate the effects of short tripping you do currently . No matter the oil choice the best thing you can do for the engine oil and battery is to perform those twice monthly (or more) spirited highway / interstate runs of at least 20 miles one way and then back home the same route… Your vehicle will be better for it .

 

[kballowe]

My Wife's commute is three miles. On a new car, and two years to the date of purchase, the muffler rusted and fell off.

 

[SC Maintenance]

My Wife's commute is three miles. On a new car, and two years to the date of purchase, the muffler rusted and fell off.

Buy better cars. The stainless exhaust system on my 400K Xterra is all OEM - with the exception of the CATs which failed (threw emission codes) after 200K miles.

 

[kballowe]

Buy better cars. The stainless exhaust system on my 400K Xterra is all OEM - with the exception of the CATs which failed (threw emission codes) after 200K miles.

Hey, as long as you're buying !

 

[Merek]

I have a short commute as well, just take it for a drive out on the highway every so often and you'll be fine. Once a week or so I usually drive up to the bottom of the mountain here and back which is about 15-20 min round trip. The worst issues I've had is keeping the battery charged but currently running an underdrive pulley on that car which doesn't help that situation.