I'm just curious how often you check your fluids on long hauls - particularly oil. On my upcoming trip I will be going as much as 600 miles in a day, and I'm not thrilled with the idea running that far on a 12yo big-block without checking (it's the Chevy 8.1L). Given the fact that I will be travelling solo, however, I expect I very well may not stop long enough for the engine to cool sufficiently to get an accurate read.How often do you guys check your oil when on long trips?

You should be able to get a feel of how your engine is doing before your trip. I usually check mine every three or four days. My 7.4 uses a quart every 1200- 1500 miles depending on the road. Climbing through mountains, it uses toward the lower end, in the flatter areas in the upper end.

About every third fill up. Between wiper fluid and windshield cleaning I'm there anyway.

As far as my policy, I Check fluids when ever I hit the road, even if I only went a few miles between stops.As far as checking the oil, either check it when it is cold, like in the morning. Or check it when it is hot and thin, as hot oil will drain into the pan very quickly. The worst time to check is if engine has only run a few minutes, as oil is cold and thick, and will not all drain down.

Every few days, if I think about it. My Duramax uses very little oil inbetween changes.

Long Hauls - How often do you check fluids? | Good Sam Community

38 Replies

Wild_Card
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017
I check mine 1st thing in the AM before I fire it off.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Sep 28, 2017
I rarely check as my 15 Cummins uses very little. I did add 1 qt after 10K on my last 15k oil change. This time I have added no oil and am within 1K of my 15K oil change at 44K on the clock.
Pauljdav
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017
If your rug uses oil then check more often. Such as when fassing up. If not then check when you get to your destination.
azdryheat
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017
Every few days, if I think about it. My Duramax uses very little oil inbetween changes.
Dr_Quick
Explorer II
Sep 28, 2017
As far as my policy, I Check fluids when ever I hit the road, even if I only went a few miles between stops.
As far as checking the oil, either check it when it is cold, like in the morning. Or check it when it is hot and thin, as hot oil will drain into the pan very quickly. The worst time to check is if engine has only run a few minutes, as oil is cold and thick, and will not all drain down.
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017
About every third fill up. Between wiper fluid and windshield cleaning I'm there anyway.
enblethen
Nomad
Sep 28, 2017
You should be able to get a feel of how your engine is doing before your trip. I usually check mine every three or four days. My 7.4 uses a quart every 1200- 1500 miles depending on the road. Climbing through mountains, it uses toward the lower end, in the flatter areas in the upper end.
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 28, 2017
Not very often.

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Long Hauls - How often do you check fluids?

38 Replies

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