Change it before, during, or after the trip?

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I'm 2,500 mi into my 4k OCI with Pennzoil Conventional and I'm going to drive 1,500 miles over the next two weeks to NC and back to CT. My daily commute in CT has been 4 miles each way, with a few 1 hour trip during the last 1,800 miles. The '06 Chevy hangs on the high when starting at temps below 32°F and the OLM clicks off %'s pretty fast while on high idle. Given these conditions: do I change the oil before, during, or after the trip?
 
Naturally it is a concern to you, so you will just feel better, and have a more relaxed trip if you change it now. Even a way back in the mind concern can cause you to be less relaxed about other things.
 
Originally Posted By: FrankN4
Naturally it is a concern to you, so you will just feel better, and have a more relaxed trip if you change it now. Even a way back in the mind concern can cause you to be less relaxed about other things.


Agreed, for those of us who are anal about our vehicle maintanance, that makes most of us on this forum, then changing it before your trip will make you feel better. It would me.
 
I know Pennzoil Conventional is up to the task, but the only concern I have is with fuel dilution. I was planning on running STP injector cleaner on the trip. I didn't want to go with V-Power or Chevron because of the current fuel content in the oil.
 
A 1,500 mile trip will burn off any fuel you have in the oil. Heck, any fuel in the oil will be gone within the first 60 miles down the highway. And don't waste your money on the STP, use something that works.
 
Originally Posted By: Johnny
A 1,500 mile trip will burn off any fuel you have in the oil. Heck, any fuel in the oil will be gone within the first 60 miles down the highway. And don't waste your money on the STP, use something that works.
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Likely the best part of the this OCI will be the trip.

Regane and Techron good stuff from what most here say.

Enjoy your trip to the Tarheel state!
 
Originally Posted By: ProfPS
I know Pennzoil Conventional is up to the task, but the only concern I have is with fuel dilution. I was planning on running STP injector cleaner on the trip. I didn't want to go with V-Power or Chevron because of the current fuel content in the oil.

How do you know there is fuel in the oil? Modern fuel injected engines don't have much problem with this unless something is wrong. I do a lot of short trips in MN winter and never have fuel in my oil. I wouldn't worry about it.
 
Originally Posted By: tmorris1
Originally Posted By: ProfPS
I know Pennzoil Conventional is up to the task, but the only concern I have is with fuel dilution. I was planning on running STP injector cleaner on the trip. I didn't want to go with V-Power or Chevron because of the current fuel content in the oil.

How do you know there is fuel in the oil? Modern fuel injected engines don't have much problem with this unless something is wrong. I do a lot of short trips in MN winter and never have fuel in my oil. I wouldn't worry about it.


My fuel dilution concern is based on my daily short 4 mile commute over the past 3 months with the majority of morning temps below 32 along with the high idle problem at those temps. The temp gauge reaches operating temp right before I get to work.
 
Does your '06 have an OLM? I follow the OLM in my '06 Monte Carlo and I've been pretty happy with it. It has me changing out every 7,500 miles or so.
 
Totally agree with Eddie and others on here who say "change it after the trip". I would let the OLM govern when to dump it.
Why waste resources and money?
 
Due to the high idle problem, the OLM has been clicking of %'s faster than it would if it idled correctly. On a typical cold morning start, it would count down 2-3%'s off the OLM. Before December and the start of cold weather, I would get ~4K miles on when the OLM was around 10%.
 
Take a fresh quart with you so if you burn off the fuel you can top off. Highway miles are easy on oil. Change when the trip is over.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: harry j
I'm about to make a 4,500 mile trip. I will change it before and then after.
I hope it is AMSOIL Signature Series cause I like when you use an up to 35,000 mile or 1 year oil changed at your intervals. Drive carefull.
 
Originally Posted By: ProfPS
Originally Posted By: tmorris1
Originally Posted By: ProfPS
I know Pennzoil Conventional is up to the task, but the only concern I have is with fuel dilution. I was planning on running STP injector cleaner on the trip. I didn't want to go with V-Power or Chevron because of the current fuel content in the oil.

How do you know there is fuel in the oil? Modern fuel injected engines don't have much problem with this unless something is wrong. I do a lot of short trips in MN winter and never have fuel in my oil. I wouldn't worry about it.


My fuel dilution concern is based on my daily short 4 mile commute over the past 3 months with the majority of morning temps below 32 along with the high idle problem at those temps. The temp gauge reaches operating temp right before I get to work.

Iw ouldn't worry about it as long as you get it good and warmed up every couple weeks or so. I have similar driving conditions in a lot colder temps than 32 and I have no problems on vehicles a lot older than yours. Trust the engine management system.
 
It's been said: Follow the OLM. OLM is your friend.

People with OLM should really stop asking these "when do I change" questions.
 
I'm at another quandary before a 1500 mile holiday trip to NC - I'm at 4k mi with Chevron Supreme conventional on the current OCI. 1500 mi of it was a T-Day trip of 12 hours of continuous driving each way there and back.

Do I change it before I leave on Tuesday (4k mi OCI), while I'm away (4800 OCI), or when I return (5500 OCI)?
 
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