To Change, Or Not To Change?

[Delta]

In a couple weeks I plan on taking a 2500mi round trip roadtrip in the Jetta. Right now the current fill of Rotella T6 has about 3,000 miles (hard miles at that, and on a Napa Pro Select filter, didn't like the looks of it from the start, but was out of stock Mann filters from the dealer at the time) on it. Checked the level of it today and while it was correct the colour was mighty dark. Would you guys change it or let it go till I get back? I normally change it every 4K or 8mo, and I have plenty stock of filters and oil so I already have the supplies.

 

[CHARLIEBRONSON21]

You're gonna hear both sides on this one. I'd say change it if you want and it gives you piece of mind.

 

[toneydoc]

That oil will be fine for that amount of miles. But if it makes you feel better, change it. Road trip miles are easy on the car and oil

 

[max88]

I would guestimate that 2 highway miles is equivalent to 1 city mile in terms of wear and tear. But if you are concern just change it. Now you have heard both sides of the argument in a single post.

 

[dave1251]

You have one of the best formulated synthetics in the world in your sump.

Change it after.

 

[gfh77665]

Rotella T6 with just 3,000 miles has LOTS of life in it. Its a stout oil to begin with for sure. A 2500 mile trip is EASY on the oil, and well within the remaining life left in the R T6.

Then, you can change for fresh oil & filter upon return and be ready for a whole new interval.

 

[tig1]

With M1 I have gone on several 2000-3500 mile trips with as much as 8K on the oil. T6 might be differant but you should be OK without a change.

 

[sicko]

T6 is a very stout oil, there will be plenty of life in the oil even after you get back from your trip. If it was my vehicle, I'd wait till afterwards to change it.

However, you have to go with how you feel. If you feel you'd be more comfortable changing it before your trip, then change it now so you can make sure everything is good before going on your trip.

 

[Delta]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I need to stop worrying about the colour of the oil and just go with it. Far as I know the 5 cylinder isn't hard or finicky on oil. Old habits die hard I recon. I love learning all the new information

 

[Hollow]

It's fine now.

It'll still be fine after the trip.

 

[gfh77665]

Also do bring a qt. of some top up oil, something like SuperTech would be perfect. Do a quick check every 500 miles or so. Have a great trip!

 

[901Memphis]

The oil will be fine but I don't really like them pro selects too much.

T6 usually has crazy high TBN left after long runs.

 

[jimbrewer]

As a practical matter, it probably makes no difference. Most people would change before the big trip because....well, just because.

I can only tell you my experience. I UOAd my oil at 5K and then at 8.3K when the IOLM light went on. At the 8300 mark, I still had plenty of add pack left, but my short driving didn't get the car quite warm enough to get the add pack activated all the time, and the acids were beginning to outrunn the add pack.I expect something like that is pretty much the norm. We know that anti-friction additives are deposited on the engine surfaces by the oil so that the surface becomes slicker and slicker and the oil filter filters better and better --until the oil and filter fail rather abruptly. I could see how in tremendously aggressive driving the same thing could happen.

so, assuming you aren't using a tremendously long OCI, I'd say take the trip let the anti-friction additive do its job, let the add pack do its job of neutralizing acids at its leisure in your long, easy road trip, and then change the oil.

 

[fdcg27]

With a turbo VW, you might have some reason to be concerned.
With the NA five, the oil will be just fine for your trip.
It would be a waste to change it.
The NAPA-branded oil filter should also be no problem for 5-6K.

 

[sir1900]

Colour is not a reflection of how much oil life is left.

I vote for: change after your trip.

 

[tratman2000]

Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Also do bring a qt. of some top up oil, something like SuperTech would be perfect. Do a quick check every 500 miles or so. Have a great trip!


If I had to check my oil every 500 miles to top it off I'd leave it at a junk yard.

 

[gfh77665]

On an extended and potentially high speed run, it not uncommon to have a bit of consumption in any vehicle, although it may not be EXPECTED.

Is there a problem with a 30 second quick check under the hood after a full day of traveling? I don't have any problem with it, even in my new vehicles. Is is difficult to carry a bottle of SuperTech along?

 

[Delta]

Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Also do bring a qt. of some top up oil, something like SuperTech would be perfect. Do a quick check every 500 miles or so. Have a great trip!


I got a few full gallons and a partial of T6 I plan on putting in the trunk (just the partial, lol) just in case. If it hasn't burned any in 3K with my "spirited" way of driving, I don't think it will use much running about 3300RPM's constantly.

And I want to thank you guys for the input. I'll save the oil change for when I get back.

 

[gfh77665]

Hey man, where are you going for your summer travel?

 

[Delta]

Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Hey man, where are you going for your summer travel?


Northern Maryland, Southern Pennsylvania, where I was born and raised. Looking forward to taking the VW through some of those curvy mountain roads.