Should I change the oil before a 1,200 mile trip?

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:35 pm

I'm going on a road trip from NYC to Bar Harbor, ME and back, about 1,100 - 1,300 miles depending on a few variables. It'll be myself and my wife, a 15.5 kayak on the roof (I ended up ordering a roof rack and kayak rack from Thule in case you saw an earlier post of mine) as well as my bike on the back. I figure I'll have about 500 - 600 lbs of people/gear in/on the car and the added wind resistance of the kayak.

I have regular oil in the Jeep now with about 1,200 miles to go before I'm at the 3,000 mark. So at some point on the way back from this trip I'll cross over the 3,000 mile oil change point. I normally use synthetic but the dealer did it for free (they wanted $76 to do synthetic.) I've already noticed almost a 1/2 mpg decrease with the shift back to regular oil so I know the engine is working harder. If it was syn. oil I wouldn't worry so much. With the regular I sort of feel like I should just swap it out early to keep my jeep happy.

Thoughts?

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:37 pm

Change it. Sounds like you will get better mileage on the trip so it is worth it especially since it was a free change anyway.

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:41 pm

the free change was the crap oil. If I changed I'd go back to syn oil. Since I'm paying for it that's why I'd rather wait. but I don't want to damage the Jeep which is why I don't want to wait.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:49 pm

I would change it to synthetic and a good quality filter. While your at it check all the fluids and filters.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:50 pm

I would, it only cost me $25 to change mine and I use synethic

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:58 pm

dgeist · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:25 pm

Never hurts to change a little early, especially if you're going on a long trip. Better safe than sorry a long way from home. It's also a good chance to check all the other fluids.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:58 pm

I always change mine before a longer trip and that way you are sure and also can check everything out good before you start. Peace of mind so to speak :wink:

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:05 pm

scoobysnax wrote:

the free change was the crap oil. If I changed I'd go back to syn oil. Since I'm paying for it that's why I'd rather wait. but I don't want to damage the Jeep which is why I don't want to wait.

Running a little over on the oil change isn't going to kill your Jeep. If it is only a couple thousand miles then run it if it is a $$ thing. BUT, if you are getting up to 1/2 gallon per mile better w/ Syn then the Syn change will help pay for itself on your trip so it makes sense to do it before you leave.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:05 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

scoobysnax wrote:

the free change was the crap oil. If I changed I'd go back to syn oil. Since I'm paying for it that's why I'd rather wait. but I don't want to damage the Jeep which is why I don't want to wait.

Running a little over on the oil change isn't going to kill your Jeep. If it is only a couple thousand miles then run it if it is a $$ thing. BUT, if you are getting up to 1/2 gallon per mile better w/ Syn then the Syn change will help pay for itself on your trip so it makes sense to do it before you leave.

I agree 100%. Besides checking the other fluids it would be a good idea to check everything: hoses, belt etc.

Terry

DryBones · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:50 pm

change it before and after. Continuous highway miles in summer heat will take its toll. Fresh before you go and back to normal fresh when you get back. Hey,it's only money.

Khaki-KJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:29 pm

If you have any doubts, just change it. It is cheap insurance and one less thing to worry about. The peace of mind is worth it alone.

hooperswish · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:21 pm

DryBones wrote:

change it before and after. Continuous highway miles in summer heat will take its toll. Fresh before you go and back to normal fresh when you get back. Hey,it's only money.

I think highway miles are actually easiest on your oil. It is the stop and go driving that wreaks havoc on oil. And as long as it is the proper viscosity, summer heat shouldn't affect it either...
Ditto what jj said, as the increase in mpg would make sense for fresh syn. However, if you are feeling overwhelmed with the planning of the trip and don't want to take the time, that original will be fine for probably at least 5000 if it is a modern dino oil.

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:53 pm

I ended up changing it and putting in Q high horse power 5W30 synthetic oil. It's not my first choice in oil but I was running short on time and figured it's better than oldish regular oil.

thanks for the input

Should I change the oil before a 1,200 mile trip?

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