Direct Injection, Oil, and trip distance

[speedracer0626]

My wife's office is 2 miles from the house. Her main car is a 2012 Kia Optima 2.0 turbo, and it has had the motor replaced under factory recall. Her backup car is a 2012 Impala 3.6. I've been running Pennzoil Platinum 5-30 full syn in both cars. My dad who is a retired master tech specializing in Euro's, told me that because of the distance I should change her oil every 1500 to 2000 miles no more. He cited direct injection as the main issue due to wash out and to not run E85 for that short run in the Impala. The Impala has 130k and the Kia probably has 50k on the new motor. Now we do drive both cars on trips, so they get exercised, but the main job is office and back, maybe a bank run which is 1/4 mile from office so even worse.

1. What are the opinions here on this idea?
2. Anything further to add such as an additive for the fuel, etc.

 

[Propflux01]

Maybe valvoline R&P will help with those fuel diluting short trips. I’ll side with the mechanic for 3k max changes.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Do what your dad told you. Because he is your dad mostly. Won’t hurt.

 

[Kira]

Short trips have always been killers.
HOW frequently oil should be changed in your scenario is to be determined by a succession of expensive oil analyses....or just do frequent oil changes as your dad suggested.

50 work weeks X 5 days per week X 2-2 mile trips = 1,000 miles per year. It'll take 2 years to reach a punishing 2,000 miles.
The effect will be worse in Winter months.
The 1,500 could be the way to go.

I have no idea what to add to a tank of gas to ameliorate the Impala's pain.
Did your pop suggest that ethanol free fuel would be better?

A question: Since the Kia engine replacement is phrased in the past tense, isn't Mrs. speedracer0626 out of the "backup car"?

A lot of people would say to use these short trippers to go to a 'farther away' grocery store, etc.

 

[speedracer0626]

Oh I listen to pop's when it comes to cars.

 

[RDY4WAR]

Given the short trips, I agree with your dad's recommendation. However, I probably would focus less on mileage and more on time. Change it every 6 months.

 

[speedracer0626]

That's the breakdown I was looking for in my analytical brain.

 

[kschachn]

That's the breakdown I was looking for in my analytical brain.

Great.

 

[speedracer0626]

6 months 600 miles sounds like the right idea

 

[fantastic]

Like the others stated. Reasonable advice. Could really stretch it out & go a whole 2,500 miles if you bumped it to Pennzoil Ultra.

6 months 600 miles sounds like the right idea

No need to go to that extreme. Go by miles.

 

[speedracer0626]

Yes she is out of the backup car. Kia handles great rides like a wagon, Impala rides like a couch. Can't sell either one as they have zero resale value and are worth more to keep especially in well maintained mechanical condition. Pop's just said regular gas in the Impala if she was going to drive it, but it's mostly sitting..

 

[SC Maintenance]

Yes she is out of the backup car. Kia handles great rides like a wagon, Impala rides like a couch. Can't sell either one as they have zero resale value and are worth more to keep especially in well maintained mechanical condition. Pop's just said regular gas in the Impala if she was going to drive it, but it's mostly sitting..

If the impala is mostly sitting I would drain the fuel and refill part way with E0 and a fuel stabilizer.

 

[speedracer0626]

My car expenses are getting out of hand and car count is too. Guess I'm going to have to cut my losses and sell one or the other.

 

[kschachn]

My car expenses are getting out of hand and car count is too. Guess I'm going to have to cut my losses and sell one or the other.

You might.

 

[speedracer0626]

I just drove the Impala and put half a tank of 87 in.

 

[shortyb]

10-4 for change schedule. Thats Oct. and April .

SC's recommendation for for fuel is good idea as well. I like Ethanol Shield for stuff that sits using anything containing ethanol.

 

[kschachn]

I just drove the Impala and put half a tank of 87 in.

What happened then?

 

[shortyb]

You might.

You should. There, fixed .

 

[speedracer0626]

This is going to be fun. Which one is she going to take out of the fleet.

 

[SC Maintenance]

This is going to be fun. Which one is she going to take out of the fleet.

There is no point in dumping one unless your insurance is expensive. People learned this in the pandemic.