Clarification on short trips

[element]

My car is subject to daily short trips (2.5 miles there, up to a one hour stop, 2.5 miles back). At least once or twice a week, it is driven for at least 10 miles (20 miles roundtrip).

I was set on using M1 0W20, but if fuel contamination is going to be issue and I have to change every 3k mi, then I'd rather go with Motorcraft 5W20 and save my money.

I am under the impression that my longer trips every 3 days or so should take care of the fuel contamination issue, am I correct?

I plan to be doing 6 month OCI (5-8k miles). Should I just stick to 3 month / 3k mi OCI using Motorcraft? I'd rather be doing 6 month OCI's.

 

[labman]

You need facts, not opinions. Might be a great case for an UOA. A couple of UOA's could give you the best guide to a proper OCI.

 

[Ugly3]

Here is what I would do.

Go to Wal*Mart and buy a "jug" of SuperTech 5W30 and a SuperTech filter. The total cost will be about $5.50.

Change the oil and filter every 2 months.

The total annual cost will be in the $35.00 range and your car will love you.

 

[element]

i'm trying to avoid doing too many oil changes. i'm trying to get away with one every 6-9 months - thus going with synthetic.

The 'severe condition' factory recommended OCI is 5k miles. I plan to do an OCI and UOA @ 5k. Do you think I should take the sample after my 'longer' drive or right after that short trip?

sad thing is, my other car, the one that gets driven on average 20+ miles each way, is a 2001 Chrysler Town and Country. The UOA on a similar engine (Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8L) yielded fairly high Fe content in a 5k UOA using Mobil 1. I hope GC would fare better and that I can get away with 6-9 month OCI.

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by labman:
You need facts, not opinions. Might be a great case for an UOA. A couple of UOA's could give you the best guide to a proper OCI.

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labman gave the best advice. Do a 3 month/3k mi OCI using Motorcraft and perform a UOA on it. If the fuel dilution is high, you'll know it's not worth the money to do extended OCIs with expensive synthetics.