Truck not driven often, recommendations?

Pennzoil motor oil
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jdavis

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Dec 22, 2005
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New England
I have a 08 Tundra with the 5.7 that sits most of the time and gets driven once in a while, I'd say only a few times a month. I do try to drive it for 30-60+ minute runs when I do drive it though.

Truck only has 62k miles on it. I run Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0w20 in it with stock Toyota filter. Yesterday, when I went to start it after it's been sitting for a couple weeks, the engine was quite noisy for a couple seconds, I'm sure because of oil being mostly drained from critical parts from sitting for a couple weeks.. It basically sounded like knocking, it quickly went away after oil started circulating but was still a little troublesome as I've never heard or had any engine issues with the truck.

What's the recommendation here, start it once a week regardless if I plan on driving it or not?
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Leave it unless you use it. Consider a different filter next time.


I thought the Toyota/Denso filters are pretty good? This truck has the canister type (sits vertical).
 
Just rotate it into your driving regimen more frequently; I did this on my B2300 after the mice starting making the wires part of their meal program.
 
Originally Posted By: jdavis
....
What's the recommendation here, start it once a week regardless if I plan on driving it or not?


That might be good for some parts, but not a good idea for the engine and exhaust systems which need to fully warm up to remove contaminants formed from startup/sitting. I have the same issue with my '99 5.7L and try to drive it at least every 1-2 weeks, a min of 15 miles. Once started, it should normally get driven. Usually once a season (Jan-Mar) it has to sit for 3-6 weeks because the roads just aren't cleared enough of salt and sand. I've read some threads on line from some people who let their 5.7L performance cars sit unstarted for 5-6 months during cold, northern winters (Great Lakes area, Northernmost New England, etc.). They've reported no ill effects on such sitting. One owner reports that his 1998 WS6 with
 
Put an ester based synthetic in it, esters stick to metal (high polarity). Start-up protection for infrequent use.
 
Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
I agree dont start it for no reason.. If it sits for over a month at a time maybe disconnect the negative battery cable.


Totally agree. My Chevy sits most of the time, and with the right filter, never an issue. Ive gone back to Pennzoil conventional after most of its life (it's a 98) being on syn. It's a matter of use and accrued mileage.

I do keep a battery charger on it though for obvious reasons.

The only reason to run it is to keep the AC in good shape, and once a month or so is fine for that, longer actually given the barrier hoses and all.

The key is what you're doing - run it long and full hot for a while any time it's on to ensure you drive off moisture and fuel.
 
You can always install a pre-luber. Then all you have to do is flip a switch and an electric oil pump will circulate oil through the engine before you turn the key. Instant oil pressure, no ticks, no taps, no noises at all.
 
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
You can always install a pre-luber. Then all you have to do is flip a switch and an electric oil pump will circulate oil through the engine before you turn the key. Instant oil pressure, no ticks, no taps, no noises at all.


That sounds pretty neat!
 
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
You can always install a pre-luber. Then all you have to do is flip a switch and an electric oil pump will circulate oil through the engine before you turn the key. Instant oil pressure, no ticks, no taps, no noises at all.


That interests me as well, my truck sits for weeks at a time. Anyone here use one?
 
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
You can always install a pre-luber. Then all you have to do is flip a switch and an electric oil pump will circulate oil through the engine before you turn the key. Instant oil pressure, no ticks, no taps, no noises at all.


That interests me as well, my truck sits for weeks at a time. Anyone here use one?

I use one one my van and have done so since it was new. It sat for weeks on end as well, sometimes months and I wanted something to help.

It draws oil through a special plug fitted into the oil pan in place of the drain plug. The plug is a hex plug which also has a large Allen screw in it so you can drain the oil w/o disconnecting anything. It feeds the oil through the oil sending unit. You remove the OSU and screw in a fitting that connects to a hose and allows the OSU to sit on the top of it. The oil can also be filtered before it enters the OSU hole in the engine block. Mine has a very fine screen in it, which has stayed spotless for close to 29 years now.

I flip a toggle switch in the morning, and watch the oil pressure build via the gauge. When its in the normal range I start the engine. You can also use it to cool the engine after shutting it down at the end of a long trip. With a quick connect fitting you can pop the hose and do an oil change with it as well.

An interesting thing I learned a long time ago is at about 40F synthetic oil will always build pressure faster [through the pre-luber] than conventional oil of the same grade. The colder the better for the synthetic oil.
 
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