bhoch

OK - maybe stupid question of the year...

I'm about to go on a ~1200 round trip (long weekend) from Tx to Eureka Springs, AK. My currently oil life indicator shows 35%. We are leaving in two weeks - indicator will be close to 30% then

Would you not worry about it and just change it when you get back or change it a couple days before the trip just to have some drive time on it to make sure there are no leaks?

c5streak

Change it when you get back, or when it gets to 5-10%. When we left for Bowling Green last year, ours read 19%. When we got back, 1900 miles later, it read 7%, then I changed it. You will get many more miles per % when highway cruising. I'll bet 1200 miles won't even get it down to 20%. Enjoy your trip, honk when you pass thru here!

steve8

How long has it been in time and miles since your last change?

Bounty Hunter 6

If it hasn't been that long (time wise) I would change it when I got back unless I was planning on driving a lot of in-and-around miles at my destination. Do you have any low oil issues around 15% and below? Just carry a quart with you on the trip. Have a great trip!!

Mr.Bill

I would say you must have close to 5000 miles on it now, I would change it before you go, It is going to be hot out and new oil will be a big welcome to your car.
Cheap Protection.
JMO.
Bill K

jrose7004

I'd do it now.

bhoch

True - I have 4600 since last oil change. That was done in March. I have not noticed any oil issues (no usage over last oil change) at least not where it was enough to show up on the dip stick...)

I'll have some time over the next weekend. I think I'll take the "cheap protection" that Bill K said and change it before I go.

THANKS for the repsonses!

steve8

It will be less than 6k miles by the time you get back, and if you changed it in March you will be fine. But like everything here, it's your car.
Enjoy the trip.

waunavet

The fact you are asking the question provides you the answer as well. Change it now.

rws.1

Trust your DIC...

Kflyer

What many people don't realize is the oil life monitoring system provides an estimate as to the condition of your oil. Nothing in your car can test the oil in any way. You should note that all oils break down over time and while the oil in your car may be ok after 5000 miles (this is debatable) the oil filter is not designed to last that long. Also, when oil gets dirty over time it means it is doing its job (trapping contaminates). So, the answer to your question is if it looks dirty at 4600 miles change it. If it doesn't look dirty wait till it does. If it's black as tar you went to far. I should know a little about oil because I own a chain of oil change shops. http://www.quicklube4u.com Hope this helps.

Vetteman Jack

I'd wait. You still have plenty of oil life remaining. Enjoy the trip then change the oil once you get back home.

Weasel

Trust your intuition. What incentives do our Corvette's have to be good if we won't give them a bone now and then. We don't love them?

itzza427

Eviltwin pokes around here on the forum,was one of the engineers that developed the monitoring system and stated earlier this year that after 01(I think that was the year ) they actually extended the duration of the % interval as tests indicated the oil was doing much better than expected. His recommendation is,,follow the DIC or 1 year,which ever comes first. My 2 cents,,,,but as stated do what makes you comfortable,,it's not going to break or make the bank either way.From what I've heard ADVANCED AUTO PARTS has extended the sale of 5qt of Mobile 1 and Mobile 1 filter for about $25 get another qt and your good to go.

B-Vette

What is wrong with getting it changed sometime along the way during your trip?

Oldvetter

You have plenty of oil life left, you can wait until you come back.

steve8

Gee, what a surprise. A guy with a quick lube says to change it.

Bounty Hunter 6

A lot of folks like to change it themselves. I don't have trust issues, but when traveling, I just don't know about THAT place.

bhoch

Some good responses in this thread. OK - here is what I will do:

Will wait to change it till I get back as 30% should be fine for 12-1300 miles. Plans are to be back home Sunday evening, so I will be able to change the oil on Monday before the fun week starts anyway.

I really don't like to do any maintenance on a trip unless the car just breaks down while on it. This includes oil changes as I will not have a place to do that in ES myself and as I don't really know the shops in that area do not what to let anyone do any maintenance on it.


Thanks for all the input!

Enemy

just wait, change it when you get back, lets start a poll and see what the DIC says about the oil life when you get back, i say 15%