Massive oil consumption from towing a trailer

[Oldtom]

Good Afternoon - I have a 2004 Dodge Caravan 3.3 liter v6 automatic. I run Mobil one EP and a Mopar filter. I had 3000 miles and 5 months on the oil change when I towed a 1300 pound trailer into the North Carolina mountains. The roads were so steep my tach was at 5000 RPM to maintain any speed at all. On the way back, I checked the oil and found it one quart low. I added a quart of oil ( Thanks Walmart ! )

Does it sound like the oil is sheared down and needs changing? The car has never used oil before.

I do a pan drop and change the ATF in the pan and filter once a year when I tow. I also vac another 4 quarts of ATF out and replace it once a year.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY ADVICE

 

[440Magnum]

I wouldn't change anything unless you see increased consumption back in your regular driving routine. Chances are the extended high-RPM operation sent a lot of oil through the PCV system, there's no reason to assume that it went past the rings or valve seals. Such high RPM for extended periods makes for a lot more oil mist floating around the crankcase, sucked out by the PCV system, and burned.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: Oldtom
Does it sound like the oil is sheared down and needs changing?


http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

Originally Posted By: Oldtom
The roads were so steep my tach was at 5000 RPM to maintain any speed at all


I'm not sure why you're surprised to see oil consumption after that usage in a Caravan. Regardless, what viscosity have you been running?

 

[Oldtom]

I run Mobil 1 5 w 30 EP since that weight is specced in the manual.

 

[skyactiv]

Hopefully the the high heat from the load and high RPM's didn't ruin the valve stem seals.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: Oldtom
I run Mobil 1 5 w 30 EP since that weight is specced in the manual.


Sure, but one-size fits all recommendations can often quickly find the limits of their usefulness when operating conditions are outside of normal usage profiles (which I'd argue mountain towing in a Caravan is).

Mobil 1 EP is an excellent product, but any 10cSt oil is going to experience usage in your application. Should you be driving like this with any regularity, switching to something at the thicker end of the range (12cSt) would mitigate the issue.

 

[Kawiguy454]

If you dropped it to a lower gear and revved the motor it was not really loaded too much. As was said the PCV system probably did what it was supposed to.

 

[Snoman002]

The 3.3 is a dog to begin with (good torque, not a lot of HP). I have had to run those RPM's just to maintain the flow of traffic in the hills of TN while on family vacation (luggage inside, no trailer).

I seriously doubt there is any damage and full expect consumption will go back to normal now. The advice of running a thicker 5w30 is a good one imo, and if you want to be extra sure switching to xW40 for towing wouldn't hurt.

 

[zach1900]

Don't be afraid of thicker oil in this situation. I know it does against the holy grail 20wt.

 

[Falken]

Sounds normal, you were towing AND going up steep hills.

Change the oil, but I'd just use PYB 5W30 in the future.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
Hopefully the the high heat from the load and high RPM's didn't ruin the valve stem seals.


Say what?

 

[Merkava_4]

High oil consumption under load such as towing a 1300 pound trailer points directly towards viscosity.

 

[Greasymechtech]

When towing, best to check oil frequently to prevent the low quart situation. And, if towing and don't want to switch to a thicker oil during an OCI, you can always just top off with that thicker oil.

Keep an eye on the oil level more often. Keep it full always.

 

[CourierDriver]

The Caravan may tow it, but it is maxed out at 1800lbs according to Dodge and if you add passengers and extra weight in the camper, you are already maxed out,imho...Note, my Buick Lasabre has the 3.8 engine and my transmission man said never to tow anything with it as the tranny is not made for it even,,,even if the book says it will tow a 1000lbs. He says he rebuilds lots of tranny because folks think what they have will tow anything,,,not true..If you camp and pull stuff up hills, things change drastically, get a V8 and enjoy camping, your tranny will last forever that way in your Dodge..Tranny heat will kill your tranny on hills

 

[Oldtom]

I installed a trans cooler and am kinda fussy about yearly fluid and filter changes. I am hoping the cooler and extra maintenance will prevent failure. If not, I have AAA plus. AAA has to tow the van and the trailer.

 

[CT8]

The harder an engine is run the higher the oil consumption will be.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: Oldtom
If not, I have AAA plus. AAA has to tow the van and the trailer.

"Members with AAA Classic, AAA Plus and AAA Premier will be provided trailer towing at their own expense."

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: Oldtom
I run Mobil 1 5 w 30 EP since that weight is specced in the manual.


Sure, but one-size fits all recommendations can often quickly find the limits of their usefulness when operating conditions are outside of normal usage profiles (which I'd argue mountain towing in a Caravan is).

Mobil 1 EP is an excellent product, but any 10cSt oil is going to experience usage in your application. Should you be driving like this with any regularity, switching to something at the thicker end of the range (12cSt) would mitigate the issue.



Ummmmmm no.

Blanket generalizations like ANY 10 cst oil will experience consumption are incorrect. Just because it supports your assertion in this case, doesn't make it true. If it were, then tons of 20 grade users would experience higher than normal oil consumption during towing- and not all do.

 

[Ramblejam]

Please go back and read my post again. This time, more carefully...

"Mobil 1 EP is an excellent product, but any 10cSt oil is going to experience usage in your application."

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Please go back and read my post again. This time, more carefully...

"Mobil 1 EP is an excellent product, but any 10cSt oil is going to experience usage in your application."


That's not necessarily true. Two different 0w-30's (AFE 0w-30 and AZO 0w-30) have massively different consumption rates in my Expedition.