OLD LADY DRIVERS!!!

[bigwillie]

I to am familar with old lady drivers. My grandmother only drives once or twice a week usually short trips of less than 5 or ten miles sometime less than 2 miles. That is why when she gave me her 88 Bronco II it only had 43k on it.(She has now replaced it with a 05' Honda CRV which has a whopping 2,000 miles on it currently)I'm currently running an arx treatment through the engine do to her short trips and 3000 miles conventional oil change interval, she only drove 2 to 3k a year so only had oil changes once a year. If the car is inherited to you just do an arx. In the meantime have her use a good oil and add some LC and FP.

 

[acewiza]

Interesting angle on the subject of old lady drivers and cars: Ever notice how the cream-puff used car owned by a "little old lady" analogy is supposed to imply a "good" car? I take it to mean just the opposite - a car that was driven on short trips, rarely warmed up and maintenance probably neglected or ignored.

 

[brianl703]

Depending on the dealer, they may be able to put a note on your mom's file (on their computer) to use synthetic oil when she brings it in for an oil change. You could call the dealership and find out if they can do this, as well as what synthetic oils they offer.

I would suggest changing the oil according to the manual's recommendations, at least during the warranty period, and I know of no recent-model Ford vehicle that allows for a 1 year OCI.

 

[Mike_dup1]

With my mothers 1993 Lumina it was changed only once per year since 1993. 13 yrs later the engine is fine and never been touched. So 2x a year would even be a waste of her money.

Many dealer and auto repair places prey on older drivers saying it cheap insurance to change your oil often, which btw us pure BS.

I know someone who changes his oil every 3 months/3000 miles. He is in his 60's, will buy a new car evey 3-4 yrs (retired GM). Just traded off a mint 2001 Olds 88 (loaded) with only 28,000 miles on it for a Buick Rendevous. Nothing can get him to change his tune, he thinks that if he does not change the oil, the engine will go bad before he buys a new one. Its a routine for them, they look forward to getting the oil changed and will not be able to sleep if they go one mile or one day beyond the 3mon/3000 mile.

Some people just can't change their ways, and the older they get the worse it becomes.

btw-I tried to get him to sell me the Olds 88 but is the type of person who does not want to sell to anyone and would rather take what the dealer offers that have to deal with a private sale.

 

[Beachboy]

I really appreciate everybody's input. Maybe I'm worrying too much, but I hate to see a brand new car abused by short trips. Since I hope to inherit the car when she totally gives up driving in a couple of years, I have a vested interest in keeping the Focus in good shape. My brother is attempting to "help" by offering to take her other car off her hands, so she would be forced to use the Focus for all her driving. There's no reason she needs two cars, other than the fact they were in the garage when Dad died 15 years ago.

 

[Ken2]

You don't tell us how many of those short trips she makes weekly. If one or two, six month maintenance is fine. If one or two daily, I agree with you. Synthetic oil won't help in this kind of driving.

Or, don't worry. When a family member gets a chance, give the car a good half-hour highway drive. What you're describing is much like my mother-in-law with her late hubby's '86 78,000 mile Nissan in the garage while she toodles around town in her '03 Passat. We drive both on the highway periodically.


Ken

 

[Matt89]

quote:

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Originally posted by Beachboy:
There's no reason she needs two cars, other than the fact they were in the garage when Dad died 15 years ago.

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And this pretty much says it all. If he was the source of her maintenance regimen too, might be best to "leave that one be".

Anyway, I'd say her current maintenance is fine. Most automakers of late have XXXX miles or 6 months as their severe service guideline, from what I can tell.