Another change or wait road trip question

[thunderfog]

Question (in my best Dwight Schrute voice) -

I have a 3000-3500 mile road trip vacation coming up. It's obviously going have mostly highway miles, but there will be some elevation and a little mild off-roading. It's my ZR2 with the 2.7 Turbomax engine. I believe the manual calls for 6k mile oil changes, I do around 5k mile oil changes.

In the current interval, I'll probably be at 3k miles when I leave.

I know I could just take one time and have a place do it halfway through the trip or something, but I am legit curious on the thoughts of the crowd here if I don't do that. Change before I go, or wait until I get home?

Valvoline EP 5w-30 is in it currently.

 

[dogememe]

Why not change it now? Compared to the cost of fuel to drive 3500 miles, a $50 oil change is really insignificant, plus it'll make you feel better.

Personally, I'd do the oil change a few days before you leave. Just in case you make any mistake during your oil change. Not saying it's likely, but you'll notice it before your trip, not end up stranded far away from home.

I don't like the idea of taking it to a shop partway through your trip because then it's another unknown. If they mess up, you'll be stuck somewhere. Again, unlikely, but minimizing the risk of problems and making for a hassle-free, enjoyable road trip experience will overall improve your vacation

 

[Zee09]

Wait.....I'm in the same boat and will change only because I still have the factory fill in
..

 

[JavierH19]

If it'll be that many miles I'd change it unless the oil had less than 2k. If it'll be on the highway all day might as well use thicker. Thinner oil makes sense in short drives where it doesn't thin out but once thinned out the difference is peanuts. If it was mine and I was doing that in the summer I'd get some M1 15w-50.

 

[BrendanC]

road trip will be easy on the oil. run it and change when you get home.

 

[fantastic]

I say run it. Highway miles are relatively easy. It'll be ready for it's change when you get back.

If it was mine and I was doing that in the summer I'd get some M1 15w-50.

I'm getting a Prius next week... I know what you'll want me to run.

 

[dadto2]

I'm in the "run it" crowd. Those highway miles are the easiest duty there is.

 

[Ride_Red]

You could run it and change oil and filter after.

Or... If it were my car, I would "spill and fill" a quick oil change and leave the filter.

 

[Urshurak776]

I would change it, but honestly, probably makes little to no difference either way. Certainly won't be measureable.

Since you're asking, I think you would feel better changing it.

 

[tiger862]

If you decide to change it do it now as if a problem arises you will catch it before you are on vacation.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I would likely change it just because it gives me a chance to look over everything before the trip.

However if you want to check everything and skip the change that’s ok too.

Just don’t exceed the factory spec on OCI.

 

[Silverado12]

I would change the oil. My 2023 Cadillac 2.0L D.I. turbo motor gets 3,500 mile oil changes with AC Delco filters and NAPA 0W-20 oil and I buy both on sale. I don't trust any direct injection, turbo motor with oil over 5,000 miles but I'm probably just paranoid. Like they say, oil is cheap and it's recyclable.

 

[Patman]

I vote to change it after the trip.

 

[Oliveoil2]

Enjoy your vacation. Keep it topped off and change when you get home.

 

[Nick1994]

Keep going

 

[JeffKeryk]

If you are one to let it weigh on your mind during the trip, spill and fill!
Enjoy your trip!

 

[andrew_j]

If you are thinking again once after revisiting about it change it.

 

[MetalSlug]

Change it, I thought only few hundred miles. Few thousand change it.

I like to change 2-3 day before the trip and do a final check before leaving.