To change or not to change...

[waynerd]

that's my question. I know to some this may sound a bit anal.....

I'm driving to visit my mom late next week and will put about 12-1500 miles round trip on the Pilot. I'm about 800 miles shy of my next oil change. I definitely won't have time to have it changed while I'm there, and about half of the mileage on this oil is road trip, and half is put-putting around town, 2 mile trips, start-stop type stuff. I've decided to follow the "severe" maintenance plan since I do so many short trips.

Should I change it early or just wait till I get back?

[iivtecracerii]

how long are your change intervals?

it probably wont hurt either way. flip a coin!

[john802]

IMO, change when you get back!

[xGS]

Those short trips around town, especially during the winter when the engine never quite reaches full operating temperature, will cause your motor oil to become contaminated sooner. Therefore, have the oil change done before the major road trip.

[N_Jay]

Relax!!!

Remember there is nothing magic about the miles AND time intervles for the maintenance schedule.

All it is an educated GUESS based on a lot of ASSUMPTIONS about the use of the vehicle.

[RFM]

IMHO, since you have already decided to be extra cautious and decided to follow the "severe" maintenance schedule it will be fine to wait until you return. Unless, of course, you are going to wonder and worry about it all the time you are away...

[ramirami]

Originally posted by RFM
Unless, of course, you are going to wonder and worry about it all the time you are away...

true..absolutely true....if you will worry about do it....though its not going to affect it

[Larryl]

I would do the oil change and inspect the vehicle before the trip, you know, check all the fluids, hoses, air up the tires, see if the spare is still there and just look around. But that's just me. I always worry about the tire air pressure before a trip. Remember you are driving a big heavy truck no matter what else it's called by others.

[RiceRed]

Don't change your oil before you hit the road. You currently know that the oil plug is not leaking any oil. You would have noticed it by now.

If you change the oil and hit the road, you very likely will be stopping different places and may not pick up the fact that the plug isn't in correctly.

Of course, if you trust the person changing your oil completely, go for it. But, I would hate to be out of town and have to rely on someone you don't know to check your engine if the low oil light comes on. (Murphy Law, it would happen in the area directly between the farthest cities.)

You will be driving highway miles, it sounds like and you will have less stress for this drive than your day-to day.

MHO

[Bugshu]

Hi Waynerd,

Wait until you get back and dont even give it a second thought. Most oil will hold together until the TBN "additives" wear out. TBN is total base number of the additives. Combustion produces small amounts of acids and pollutants and most oil has calcium and other adds to combat it. The new Mobil adds suggest that there oils can go 5000, 7500, and 15000 miles before using up the additives.

Well, its a little known fact but so can many other oils. Most dino oils are good for 5000 miles these days.

You probably could go 3000 more miles than you imagine and your tbn would be fine.

Go on your trip and dont even give it a second thought or worry. Your Pilot will be fine.

Change the oil when you get back.

Happy Piloting to You,



Bugshu

PS really fun things to do in Chicago include going to the Sears Tower, the museum of Science and Industry, the art institute of Chicago, and shopping on 5th street. The natural history museums and the museum of Science and Industry are both kid friendly. There is a good planetarium as well.