short trips; oil considerations? - Gasoline, Motor Oils, Concept Cars and Engines


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short trips; oil considerations?

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Auto Repair Home>> Automotive World>> Gasoline, Motor Oils, Concept Cars and Engines

fat-katie
User

Mar 7, 2022, 5:11 PM

Post #1 of 3 (2615 views)

short trips; oil considerations?	Sign In

My wife drives a 1995 Skylark to work. The trip is only a mile or so. Every month I take it out for a long drive to get the engine hot on the notion that a hot engine will drive moisture and other volatiles out of the oil. Conditioning as it were.

#1 Is my idea just baloney? I use synthetic oil.

#2 I've been told short trips like this wear on oil and necessitate more frequent changes. Is that true?

Thank you.

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 7, 2022, 5:24 PM

Post #2 of 3 (2612 views)

Re: short trips; oil considerations?	Sign In

Yes, #1 is Baloney

#2 is correct

Yes, short trips create moisture and reduces oil life but you can't simply burn it off. You just have to change the oil more frequently and probably the exhaust system too.

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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 8, 2022, 2:02 AM

Post #3 of 3 (2582 views)

Re: short trips; oil considerations?	Sign In

Take this for a longer ride more often and still dump the oil every month for literally that many ONE mile rides. Oil is just too loaded with water (most places) and exhaust like HT said will out-cost even the hysterical costs of fuel vs more care. Ah - keep fuel full suggested. The air space on top will condense or evap out isn't really recaptured it's wasted.
IMO, low use thing is worth keeping this up or sounds almost like time to do without this car or any at all? IF you've fixed the issues it has and is ready to use could sell for a good price as car to use - I'm seeing the high mile/hard use new stuff failing cost tons to do anything to them,

Tom

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