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

1320Fastback
Explorer
Sep 29, 2017
I see no problem with every morning if the engine had a consumption history.

My old Cummins doesn't leak or burn a drop between it's oil changes but for some reason I still check it before heading out with the trailer in tow.
stickdog
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017
goducks10 wrote:
You should have an idea if it uses oil or not. I'd probably check it every morning at 1st. Then adjust checking it based on your findings.

The winning answer.
samsontdog
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017
Every 2 or 3 thousand miles I will check the oil in my V10 P/Up but seldom ever in my Ford car
LVJJJ
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017
depends on the age of the vehicle or engine. In our 2005 Roadtrek (in 2005) hardly ever. In our 1994 Suburban, every morning when cold. Used only a quart in 5,000 miles but need to keep track of those old ones. In my 1965 Chevy Van w/292 inline 6, not often when engine was new in 1988. Now, after 90,000 miles, every morning.

I always try to keep it level when parking for the night.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Sep 28, 2017
Before starting out and every gasoline stop.
GordonThree
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017
On my new trucks, I hope they check 'em when I get oil changes, other than that, the only fluid I monitor is the gasoline.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Sep 28, 2017
Pauljdav wrote:
If your rug uses oil then check more often. Such as when fassing up. If not then check when you get to your destination.

If we have a rug that uses oil, it's getting tossed. Oily rugs don't work in our RV.....:E
Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017
Thanks everyone - good insights. I've always checked before trips, and on overnights if driving multiple days in a row. I have seen no drips or issues, so will probably check mid-trip on first day for peace of mind and will then stick with my daily checks. I do the same with tire pressures - check them every morning before departure.
darsben1
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017
every morning before starting
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Sep 28, 2017
Our 2001 8.1 would use half of quart towing in 1500 miles. 05 duramax not any but checking oil is something I have always done same as the pull test.

chevman

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Long Hauls - How often do you check fluids?

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