High speed highway driving

[Klutch9]

My wife and I just took a two and a half hour drive to grand rapids, mi. It was a family emergency, so we were booking it. The engine in my focus was turning near, at, or over 3,000 rpm the entire time, with heavy winds blowing against the car; the motor was really working hard. Should I shorten my OCI because of this? Im right at 3 months and 2200 miles on this current OCI.

 

[simple_gifts]

no.

 

[JHZR2]

No, best conditions for driving...

 

[Nick R]

Nope. It's still highway driving, you are fine. I did an emergency run last night from home to cleveland, doing 85mph in the nox. The OLM still dropped 10% but it would have no matter how fast I was going.

 

[Brettm1388]

What OCI were you planning on running before this?

 

[Turk]

Not a problem unless it was way low on oil...

 

[DutchBrad]

Hope all is well with your family, but I think your engine will be fine. Highway miles (wind or not) are the best miles you can put on your car.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
The engine in my focus was turning near, at, or over 3,000 rpm the entire time

Not even breathing heavy.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Quote:
The engine in my focus was turning near, at, or over 3,000 rpm the entire time

Not even breathing heavy.


It's worth noting that my cruze turns 2900RPM at 75mph and I don't worry about it.

 

[dave1251]

You will be fine as long as your OCI was not planned to go 15K but if 90% of your driving is like you did last night 15K might not be a problem.

 

[oggb]

Did 3500-3750 RPM in my WRX for 9 hours on Mobil 1 5w30 in ambient temps of 97-100F. Car didn't seem to mind one bit

Your Focus will be dandy.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Are thicker oils better for this kind`ve driving? Z32`s came with this sticker under the hood. What are the pros/cons of both listed oil weights (10W30 vs 10W40)?

 

[exranger06]

My Honda turns 3k RPM at 70 mph, about 3500 RPM at 80 mph. I routinely drive at those speeds for over half an hour every day going to/from work. You have a little 4 cylinder, it's meant to spin at those speeds; that's where the engine makes all its power. It doesn't hurt it in the slightest bit.

 

[Joseph_S37]

I say no, don't change what you originally planned as an OCI.

Engine was nice and warm, oil flowing freely, rings pushed hard and sealing tightly etc.

This run was a win for both the oil and engine. No need to change a thing

 

[Klutch9]

Thank you all for your quick replies! I'm only planning on doing 5,000 miles on this OCI. Your opinions all confirmed what I thought; the oil is just peachy, and now free of all condensation and fuel dilution!

 

[Quest]

LOL! small 4cyl engine typically "whines" around 3k rpm all day long on highway speeds and can run for hours, if not days (provided that you have the means of fuelling up the vehicle in between).

My fit runs on approx 3k rpm @ 65mph and can run it all day long... is it gonna harm the engine? Nope. Most smaller engined vehicles run around that rpm.

Q.

My suzuki forsa used to run at around 3600rpm on highway speeds.

 

[aquariuscsm]

My car runs around 3200rpm at 70mph (3 liter V6).

 

[garlicbreadman]

bob oil guy has made people too critical with everything LOL

3k is nothing..is that even half of it's redline?

There are honda drivetrains(integra type r) where the rpm is about 5000(redline at 8400) going 80mph in 5th gear....

 

[NHGUY]

Caravan 3.3 V6 65mph = 2100 rpm
Dodge Aries 2.2/auto 65mph=3000 rpm.
The K car has been alive for 24 years now....
The rpms though kill MPGs.

 

[MNgopher]

Ran my old cavalier with its 3 speed auto and 4 cylinder for tens of thousands of miles doing over 3000 rpms. Never an issue.