Change or leave it?

[AmericaWestCMH]

2004 Hyundai Elantra with Havoline 5w30 dino in it. 2500 miles on the oil, mostly highway miles but a lot of short trips in cold weather as well. Will be driving 800 miles roundtrip to Nashville along with about 100 miles of local driving in Nashville (likely with a lot of idling - going to Music City Bowl).

Is a 3500 OCI okay even with quite a few cold starts/short trips, or should I change the oil before I leave?

 

[Dark Jedi]

I dont see a prob. if anything buy some oil and a filter and take it to a shop down there and have it changed. I dont see going over 500 miles hurting anything.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

It's fine if you haven't been warming it up for long spells or really any numerous lengthy idlings with it.

 

[williar]

I'd leave it; a 4K-5K OCI should be fine.

 

[Tim]

A good running Elantra will not use up the Havoline in 3,500 miles. So long as you do not have some "issue", you'll be fine.

 

[Tim]

hehe, looks like we all decided to answer at the same time!

 

[KJA426]

I'd wait until you get back to change it.

 

[AmericaWestCMH]

Wow, thanks guys for the fast responses. I'll guess I'll leave it in there.


No lengthy warmups or long period of idling; I just start it up, wait a minute or so, and drive off gently.