What;s the consensus on short trip OCI driving?

[mechtech2]

You don't want a colder thermostat. More fuel wash and less ring sealing, and less thermal efficiency [gas mileage!] due to heat having to constantly warm up the cylinder head and bores, instead of powering the car.
Remember, when you need full cooling, an open thermostat is an open thermostat, no matter what.

No oil will remove fuel or blowby deposits. All they can do it fight them. It takes a while to have a real problem, though - oils are designed for this and will simply do their job.
So you could go either way with conventional or synthetic, for your one year in question.
I'm leaning towards a couple of dino changes, and leave the filter in. 2 miles at a time, esp in cold weather, is not the best for an engine.

 

[Johnny]

Or, you can do what I do to my wife's car to help. Every Saturday morning we drive 35 miles down the interstate to one of our favorite hole in the wall breakfast places, then drive back. That little 70 mile round trip really helps to burn off condensation and excess fuel. Plus it saves me from having to cook on Saturday morning.

By the way, her driving habits are just like the OP wife.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

Originally Posted By: jeepman
I thought about that, but she get's up pretty early and would look funny with our two kids on the handlebars at 6:30 am every day.
Of course in many parts of the world that scenario would be perfectly normal.

 

[steve20]

and don't forget to inspect the PCV valve and related hoses for gunk every 6 months or so.
----as you do not appear to have the same driving cycle as the wife how about trading cars with her once a week ?
That would put you in the 1 year interval with a good synthetic


Steve

 

[MI_Roger]

Sounds like my wife's commuting style! Her car gets full synthetic (required by the manufacturer) and I change it on a first of 5K miles or 6 months basis.

From April '09 to Oct '09 she only drove 2K miles! The Oct '09 to Apr '10 period should see about 5K miles based on her current odometer reading.