long trip newbie ?

[greystone]

Getting ready to head out on a 2500 mile trip. Currently have 2600 miles on the oil change. I usually like to change around 4k. Should I change oil before I go or give it a fresh change when I return?

2007 Ford Fusion 2.3 42,000 miles
Motorcraft 5w-20 syn blend
Motorcraft filter.

switching to the new GF-5 blend at next change.

 

[kcfx4]

flip a coin....youre safe either way

 

[SLCraig]

I'd say safe.
Browse for threads where people speak with co-workers and friends and family who have like 15K on their factory fills. The cars seemingly still run fine in the end.
5K is nothing!

 

[J_Sap]

Keep an extra quart or two in the trunk and check the oil along your way, if you get low top it up.

Highway miles are the easiest and best your oil can get. Are you doing half of it each way or is this going to be a 2,500 trip with a lot of stops? If you are driving half of it each way then I would say you are safe. If you are going on a road trip with a lot of stop and go then it is up to you, but if you normally run your oil 4k and want to keep at that interval then change it now, if you want to see what 5K on your oil looks like then keep it in.

 

[tig1]

Since I use Mobil 1 oils in my Fusion, I make long trips with up to 8K on the oil. I went to Florida this past Sept. and started off with 7K on the oil. Put 2500 miles on the trip. As usual, no problems.

 

[greystone]

Thanks everyone. I will probably wait till we return to change it. I am just anxious to try the new GF-5 formula. It's about 1200 mile each way. Only stopping for gas.....and snacks.

 

[oggb]

Beyond safe. You could go way farther than 4k on that oil.

Where are those 10,000 mile dino used oil analysis? I'm fairly certain I saw a few on Pennzoil and maybe some Chevron 5w30 conventional.

 

[electrolover]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
I'd say safe.
Browse for threads where people speak with co-workers and friends and family who have like 15K on their factory fills. The cars seemingly still run fine in the end.
5K is nothing!



dont mean to be off topic but the factory fill oils usually are not the same oil you buy. most of the time they are break-in oil with high ZDDP levels and low detergents. some companies have started breaking engines in before they send em out but to be safe i would change factory fill at 1000 miles.

and as far as the original post i would change the oil so your not worried about it.. but im sure it would be fine to make the trip.

 

[electrolover]

Originally Posted By: JRed
Beyond safe. You could go way farther than 4k on that oil.

Where are those 10,000 mile dino used oil analysis? I'm fairly certain I saw a few on Pennzoil and maybe some Chevron 5w30 conventional.


off topic again but my friend 'forgot' to change the oil in his escort for a year. he remebered his racecar and wifes car but went 12k on Pennzoil 5w30. he told me yesterday it was probably all sludged up. i told him he might be surprised, we took off the oil cap and looked in with a flash light... it was as clean as a new engine in there. score +1 pennzoil!!

 

[unixguru]

That would put you just a bit over 5k miles on synblend - that's nothing! Motorcraft is a good oil. You'd be totally safe!

Besides 2600 miles (I assume mostly freeway) is like 500 miles of city driving if not less

Just make sure you check oil level before and during the trip. Some engines consume more on the freeway.

 

[901Memphis]

That MC oil will take those highway miles easy before the change but i wouldn't want to take it much further if you have lots of short trips. No sense in changing it before you go for sure though.

but... You will be stopping undoubtedly for unscheduled bathroom breaks, but you can reduce them by watching what you eat. Avoid Taco Bell and White Castle if you want less stops!

 

[electrolover]

isnt the factory recommendation 5k anyway?
it is on my fords

 

[The motor guy]

Highway mileage is very easy on oil compared to city driving. Say if you did all highway. 60mph average would be 83hrs on the oil in 5000 miles. Now say you did all city driving your average would be like 25mph which would equal out to 200hrs on the oil. But the bottom line is 5000-6000 mile intervals are perfectly fine. You could always change it when you get to your destination if your concerned about it.

 

[901Memphis]

I wouldn't change at the destination, its a waste unless he wants a better cleaning oil in there for the long highway run for a specific reason.