Long Trip - Which Oil - Too Soon?

[92saturnsl2]

This question is two-fold. I just purchased a 2007 Chevy Aveo which I'd like to take on a long distance trip in early May.. It's a about a 2k mi trip each way from Colorado Springs to northern VT/NH.

What concerns me is the car will only have about 1k miles by the time the trip rolls around-- Is this too soon to ensure a good break in? I have no problems taking my other vehicle to ensure this one gets broken in properly.

Which oil would one recommend for a trip like this? I know it's low stress driving conditions, but the Aveo engine turns 3500rpm @ 75mph.. My truck (should I decide to take it) runs 2600rpm @ 75mph. I've used, and plan on using synthetic for both, would dino provide equal protection at less cost for this kind of driving? Any oil and/or viscosity suggestions? TIA

 

[falconman]

I would have no problem taking the new Aveo on a long trip. In fact, I think all those highway miles would be a good way to break it in. Since there is 1k miles on the factory fill, I'd change it out and replace it with a good conventional oil of the reccomended weight. After the trip, when your car hits 5k miles, I'd consider it broken in and change it again with synthetic.

 

[Merkava_4]

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Any oil and/or viscosity suggestions? TIA

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What does your owner's manual say for viscosity?

 

[92saturnsl2]

The Chevy manual specs 0w30 or 5w30 under all conditions...

Nissan truck says 5w30, 10w30, 5w-40, 10w-40, with 10w's above 32F, which is fine with the upcoming warmer temps.

 

[06VtecV6]

Highway miles is way better then city and as a natural by-product you will be varying your rpms naturally so no biggie. I have had my OCIs extended when driving highway miles which means the constant rpms are easier on your engine. I don't see a problem with breaking in a car on the highway as long as you got your oil+filter ready to do a change "anywhere you are."

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Pennzoil conventional, Havoline Deposit Shield, Motorcraft or Castrol GTX.... take your pick. Change just prior to leaving - then again when you return.

 

[ewetho]

Change here, change there, you'll be fine.

 

[92saturnsl2]

I recently picked up a bunch of Havoline Synthetic 10w30 on clearance at Big Lots.. Would this be okay for the initial change at 1k before the trip?

 

[92saturnsl2]

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Highway miles is way better then city and as a natural by-product you will be varying your rpms naturally so no biggie.

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This is exactly what worries me... The manual says most importantly to vary RPM's for the break-in period. Have you ever driven out of Eastern Colorado through Kansas? We're talking a 600+ mi stretch of 80mph cruising until you hit Kansas City / urban Missouri.

Though the break-in period according to the manual is 1k, I'm still leery(sp?). I'm almost leaning toward taking the truck as it needs the mileage (it only sees short trips of about 3 miles each way).

 

[DINO_NO]

I'm doing a 2k long trip on Petro Canada dino with ARX.
Not much of a choice though.

 

[06VtecV6]

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Quote:

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Highway miles is way better then city and as a natural by-product you will be varying your rpms naturally so no biggie.

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This is exactly what worries me... The manual says most importantly to vary RPM's for the break-in period. Have you ever driven out of Eastern Colorado through Kansas? We're talking a 600+ mi stretch of 80mph cruising until you hit Kansas City / urban Missouri.

Though the break-in period according to the manual is 1k, I'm still leery(sp?). I'm almost leaning toward taking the truck as it needs the mileage (it only sees short trips of about 3 miles each way).

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The reason why I think you shouldn't be worried is you would be breaking in your car at higher rpms but still be optimizing your gas mileage. Since you are using a bit more consistent rpms, that would mean less wear and tear and aren't you supposed to go eazy on your engine during break-in? I think highway is a great way to break a car in as long as you vary your miles which you naturally do anyway on road trips (i.e slow lane for cops, fast-lane to trace a speeder etc)

 

[Anduril]

By 1000 miles, your car should be broken in fine.

 

[jorton]

A road trip is good for break-in.

When using cruise control rpm's vary when crossing overpasses, hills and mountains. The car downshifts on inclines and rpm increases. Going down the other side the car shifts back to overdrive and rpm's decrease. Take along a couple bottles of oil.

 

[D189379]

You could also intermittently drop or raise you speed by a mph of 2 during the trip.

 

[Steve S]

What concerns me is where do you get the idea about changing the oil and break in. The best thing you can do is to change the oil and go on the trip. What oil does the factory Recommend? Read the owners manual to find the correct oil viscosity.That is why the manufacture spends the money to put the manual in the car.. Are you going 600 miles without stopping? using the rest room? stopping to eat ?

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Just did that drive myself - eastern Colorado thru to Kansas is VERY flat, no hills, inclines, nothing. From the Kansas border all the way back to Denver, my truck stayed at 2k rpm's for over 4hrs. I don't stop - unless I absolutely have to.

I would highly recommend several stops along the way in the flat-land country, so that you can at least wind it up a little bit getting back on the highway. Otherwise, I see no problems taking the new car, just be sure to variate your rpm's, I'm sure you can get imaginative.

However, if you're a lot like me, and like to stay at one speed on flat-land highways, taking the car may not be a good thing.

 

[williar]

Most of the break-in wear will occur in the first 1K miles. After that, just keep the RPMs reasonable, watch your oil level, and don't overheat it.

 

[Cutehumor]

I took our new 06 vibe on a 3 hr interstate drive when it had like 500 miles to show my family what the new car looked like. used cruise control and everything.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Thanks for all the info, much appreciated. I'll likely take the car and change the oil beforehand.