short trip oil changes

[rocketman]

My wife's car, a 1997 Chev. Lumina (as mentioned in a previous post) is basically a "short trip" family vehicle with the occasional 20 minute highway drive. It never reaches the magic number of 5000 miles (or 8000 km) for an oil change within the 3-4 months. It probably goes 1800 miles or a little less in that time frame. I do, however change the oil after the 3-4 months. Is this overkill? It has an oil life monitor that I don't pay much attention to. I once did'nt change the oil for 5-5.5 months (2800 miles) and the monitor did not light up. The oil came out jet black. Wasn't to impressed. How often should I be changing this oil, without getting a used oil analysis?

 

[Big John]

FWIW,first I would try running the car at least 1/2 hour at highway speeds once a week to burn off condensation...My wife's 3.8 Impala is also a short tripper and lots of start/stops.I run synthetic and try for a 6k oci,if the olm comes on prior to 6k,which it usually does,I change the oil,that equates to @5 months.I am gonna send in a sample for the first time to see what's up in this engine.The longest it made it so far is 4500 miles before the light came on..Shortest was 2900..

I would say run a dino and change it every 3k...

 

[Gary Allan]

I wonder if you used a block warmer if it would be more economical than changing the oil with so few miles on it. How much electricity does an oil change buy? You're in a situation that may defy normal remedy. The side effects of virtually 100% short trip duty can't entirely be eliminated by short OCIs. I would imagine that you've got some emulsification on the internals.

You have a climate and service duty that would warrant this.
Just my $0.02

 

[ediamiam]

Short trips and you don't want to spend the time on the highway, do changes every 3 months with the cheapest oil you can find. Change the filter every other oil change. Get some of that autorx stuff, run a maintenance dosage.

 

[rocketman]

I basically have been changing the oil every 3-3.5 months with a economical, but good oil; Motomaster Supreme (sometimes MM Formula 1). This is sold at Canadian Tire, supplied by Shell (confirmed by both parties via email). I'm a little skeptical about changing the oil filter every other oil change. Is it OK to do based on the few miles put on in those 3 months?

 

[KW]

1800 miles or so every 3 to 4 months...

If it were mine I'd run a good high TBN oil and change it every 6 months along with the filter.

 

[Pluto5]

Second KW. I have the same Lumina with similar usage. I now do changes every six months with Wal-Mart products. Since you probably won't get near 100K miles (I won't) any more frequent changes will only benefit the next owner. I would be more concerned with potential intake manifold leak than worrying about changing oil every 3 months.

 

[Gary Allan]

quote:

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I know the oil would be warmed up faster, but that's about it. Can you elaborate?

---

One of the main effects of short trips is that the oil never reaches a temp to purge moisture. This would reduce that effect to a certain extent. In fact the WHOLE impact on oil from short trips is due to never warming up. The fuel ratio is richer ..and stays there ...maybe 90% of the vehicles service duty if the short trips are short enough. A block warmer would reduce this radically in comparison to warming up from ambient temp in the cooler north (where you live).

 

[rocketman]

Thanks for the replies. KW, what high TBN oil would you recommend? What others are there? What does a high TBN number represent & do?

 

[KW]

The TBN is the ability the oil has to combat acids that build up in the oil over time.

My choices are M1 or Amsoil 5W30 for your car. Though there are likely some very good synthetic oils in your neck of the woods that are easier to get. Any good synthetic in the proper grade should work well for you.

 

[John_E]

In 1969, GM specified an oil change interval of 4 months or 6K miles, whichever came first. That is evidently not bad advice today for short-trip cars.

 

[rocketman]

I'm a little confused as to what effect a block warmer would have on the oil changes. I know the oil would be warmed up faster, but that's about it. Can you elaborate?

 

[OutlawTitan]

I average around 35-40 miles per day and make at least 6 trips under 5 miles per day. After I added Lube Control I got a better UOA.

 

[JHZR2]

My mother has a 97 Plymouth breeze with the 2.0L 4cyl engine. It drives 5 blocks 6 times a day as its driving profile. Once a week it goes 1.5 miles each way to the supermarket. Once in a while it goes 15-20 miles on the highway. Every few weeks, it gets taken on a 150-200 mile trip, mostly interstate.

We use Mobil 1 5w30 primarily (Ive used 0w30 before as well). Search my posts and youll see some of the used oil analysis. At 5000 miles, the results are quite excellent! I think a good flowing oil with a good base stock and good additive package will adequately provide protection. Her car has over 70k now and still runs fine, like new. Had the typical head gasket problem that these engines are prone to, but its fixed and it still runs great. Returns over 30 MPG on highway trips.

My friend just bought a 92 volvo 240. His 'severe service' reccomendation is 5000 miles or 6 months!

JMH

 

[Eiron]

Hi rocketman,

I had great luck switching over to Mobil 1 on my short-trip 1990 Saab (only 6,500 miles in 13.5 months). I ended up paying less overall & reducing wear by buying a better oil & running it longer. You can take a look at my results here.