Oil change - stupid question, but curious as to the replies

I change my oil every 5k miles...

I am going on a roadtrip that will cover approx 800-900 miles in the Sierras (Lake Tahoe/June Lake/Mammoth Lake areas)...

I am currently at approx 4200 miles since my last oil change....

Do you change the oil now before the trip? Or change it after the trip? (at 5000-5100 miles)

Basically if this were normal everyday driving I would leave it till 5k. Am I better off changing early for a road trip though as opposed to *possibly* a little late?

53k miles on truck currently.

*EDIT* - it's conventional oil, not synthetic

I even added a poll, just to make this post more interesting

 

The proper side of me says change now, but the realistic side of me says it won't matter either way.

 

Your truck will be fine either way. I would do what is most convenient for you, just make sure you check the oil level before your trip. JMO.

 

Poll abuser.

 

If there is synthetic in there now wait or if it is conventional change it before you leave...

 

It's conventional oil, forgot to add that. Thanks.

 

Six-one, half dozen the other... but change it now if it will give you more peace of mind on your trip.

Edit: just saw that it is conventional oil -- I'd change it before the trip.

 

Is it hot or cold where you're going?

 

I'm going to say Change now because you don't want anything to go wrong on the trip. Not that it would but more piece of mind.

 

Heading out to the Sierras. Lake Tahoe/June Lake/Mammoth Lakes. High elevation. Cooler than the Bay Area but it won't be that cold this time of year. Lots of hills though. Mild offroading (fireroads) on occasion

 

It more than likely will not matter either way.

You put enough miles on your truck, switch to synthetic and do 10k changes. Save yourself some time and energy.

 

Was in a similar situation back in August, was going on a 1200 mile trip, changed my oil before hand, was just more convenient for me and gave me piece of mind, I use conventional oil and my truck has almost 123k on the clock.

 

I would do Option 3. Bring your oil change stuff with you and do it on the road. It only takes 10 minutes.

 

By choice, my oil changes take an hour, 3 budweisers, half a can of copenhagen and a Sturgill Simpson album in my garage. It's like therapy.

Oh, yeh, on topic...do what you feel is best. The fact that you're asking makes me think you want to change it before you go. If you're at all worried, go with your gut. You're going to be fine either way. If it were me, I would wait until I got back to change it.

 

Oil change is OK either way. More important to get under the truck and examine the condition of ball joint / CV / steering rack boots, check for leaks, check U-joint slop, etc. before a long trip. Basically the "30-point inspection" a shop would do if they did an oil change.

 

Lake tahoe, June Lake, and Mammoth mountain is one of my favorite area to go through, it a beautiful drive. Check out Bodie if your into ghost towns. Also just a heads up I hear their is a fire going on between mammoth and June lakes.
Oh also I vote to change your oil before so it's one less thing you have to do when you get back

 

Ahh thanks for the heads up. Hadn't heard about the fire. I'm actually going in 2 weeks (was estimating my starting mileage in OP). Hopefully the fire is out by then, and I had planned on hitting Bodie as well. This is a photography trip.

 

http://wildfiretoday.com/2016/09/19/owens-river-fire-burns-6000-acres-north-of-mammoth-lakes/

Hopefully they get it under control before you go.

 

If my truck is running good before a trip and nothing is overdue for service, I won't change anything until I get back. That oil can go for a lot longer so I wouldn't worry about it.