[Viffermike]

I've got a quandary for the 718Forum hive mind to kindly consider:

My car current has 14,200 miles. It received its 10k maintenance at 8,900 miles in late June 2018.

I'm taking a 7,200-mile road trip during the first half of May. When I leave, my car will have about 14,500 miles. That means that when I get back, it'll have roughly 21,700 miles -- well over the 20k scheduled maintenance threshold, particularly when considering that I had the 10k maintenance performed early.

As part of prep for the trip, I'll have two new rear tires installed (they're at 4/32 after only 5.5k miles; the fronts are still at 8/32, so should last the trip) and a multipoint inspection performed at an indie service center. My questions:

- Should I have a pre-emptive oil/filter change done at the indie, before the trip?
- Does it make sense to wait until after the trip to have the 20k maintenance done -- even though it'll be almost 2k miles overdue? (Actually, more like 3k miles overdue because of the early 10k service)
- Should I -- or can I, even -- have the entire 20k maintenance done before the trip?
- Does it make the most sense to have the 20k maintenance done during the trip (I'd need to take an extra day for this to be done)?

Hive mind: go! (And thanks in advance)

 

[718S]

I'm new to the Porsche world.. but maybe put a call into the local dealer service manager? Get their take?

 

[Porsche2018]

@Viffermike, if it were me, I would wait until you get back without hesitation.

 

[duegatti]

I'm a by the book to over-maintainer, so I'd do the oil/filter change and try to get the 20k done on the road.

 

[duegatti]

I would hate to put 12,800 miles on my oil. Intellectually, I can deal with it. But it tears at my heart.

 

[Viffermike]

I'm new to the Porsche world.. but maybe put a call into the local dealer service manager? Get their take?

Oh I will, believe me. I'd like to be 'armed' with advice and other points of view before I do that, though.

@Viffermike, if it were me, I would wait until you get back without hesitation.

(and @duegatti) Perhaps, especially if I change the oil before the trip. That's likely what I'll do if the inspection doesn't uncover anything. I don't like the thought of nearly 13k miles on the oil, either. In fact, I HATE that thought.

... though the thought of cruising around Nashville -- the likely site of a during-trip maintenance visit -- in a choice loaner kind of appeals to me, hehe ...

 

[718]

I’d do it after. I love my car and take good care of her. But I wouldn’t worry too much about going over by 2k miles for a second service. Maybe I’d be more concerned if it were a first service but less so for a second.

(This is nothing more than my personal opionion. I have no use cases or knowledge to support it. Just my gut)

 

[aeronca65tl]

I'm pretty sure that in Europe the first oil change is at 20,000 miles. So technically going nearly 13,000 shouldn't be awful. Especially since much of your driving won't be short trips with stop/start.

Still, I'm the type of person that would change the oil and filter before going on that trip.

 

[jimmuller]

Is there anything wrong with doing the maintenance and oil change early (other than cost)?


On the other hand, you will be doing a lot of miles on the highway, easy cruising instead of stop&go, cold starts for daily commutes, etc. If it was me I'd do either of two things, do the maintenance before you go and drive with a clear mind, or drive and not worry. Nah, I'd probably do the former. If you intend to have it don'e somewhere in the trip, do you homework on find a good place.

 

[Dan.B-Cayman]

Josh at Grapevine told me that my 20K has a leeway on either side time-wise and mileage-wise.

20% comes to mind but don't quote me on that.

You and I are in about the same boat on time and mileage, and I changed my own at 5K, let the dealer perform 10K, and may do my own again at 15K before I get my second freebee at 20K at Grapevine.

Just my 20K cents

 

[phroenips]

I'd also wait until after. Consider that those will all be highway miles, those are the "easiest" type of miles on the engine/oil.

 

[sevencyclist]

I would do it after. Agree with the highway miles not rough on your engine. Unless your trip miles is curvy fun drives that is tough on your engine.

However, what’s the benefit of doing it at home? Are you trying to cultivate a relationship with your dealer? If you are sticking with your Indie service, then do it after return, but otherwise can also do it on the road to experience Porsche America.

 

[grasmere]

Josh at Grapevine told me that my 20K has a leeway on either side time-wise and mileage-wise.

20% comes to mind but don't quote me on that.

You and I are in about the same boat on time and mileage, and I changed my own at 5K, let the dealer perform 10K, and may do my own again at 15K before I get my second freebee at 20K at Grapevine.

Just my 20K cents

Agreed, there must be a percentage either way re 20k, find out what it is - in writing!

Otherwise early oil/filter change only, full 20k on return should be more than adequate.
Early 20k just not necessary!

 

[ArchiProf]

Porsche Nashville is located in the Cool Springs area south of Nashville between Brentwood and Franklin. I-65 to/from Nashville can be a parking lot during rush hour but during other times is is about a 30 minute drive from the dealership to downtown Nashville. Historic downtown Franklin is a nice place to visit and is only about 15 minutes south of the dealership.

 

[splinter]

..I'm taking a 7,200-mile road trip during the first half of May..

That's a lot of seat time!
Not a philosopher but ~500 miles/day can give a gent time to think.

The pre-departure inspection is prudent and will give peace of mind. These cars seem about as sturdy as an anvil.
I'd do the regularly maintenance whilst en route during a convenient stopover. Get a nice loaner for the day and stretch your legs?

Wishing for you safe and memorable travels.

 

[Viffermike]

Well, my car doesn't really have 'easy' highway miles. My daily commute is short (meaning: the car doesn't always get totally warmed up), and the road-trip miles are as much in the twisties as on relatively straight blacktops. So an oil change before the trip (on its own) AND after the trip (as part of the 20k service) now seems like a definite must-do.

My big concern is the 20k scheduled service. Interesting that @Dan.B-Cayman has been quoted the 20 percent window, since I'd always understood that the usual window was 10 percent on either side of the target mileage -- which comes out to 20 percent. In any case, I'll call my dealer this weekend to ask. If it's a huge problem, yep, @ArchiProf: Porsche of Nashville would be my target for the service!
@sevencyclist: I live in a LEED-certified condo building that doesn't even allow us to wash cars on site, much less do down-n-dirty car maintenance. Another guy in the building actually has garage space rented from a nearly cab company to tinker on a BMW track car and a gray-market, late-90s RHD Nissan Skyline he has as a DD. It's not really an option, unfortunately.

 

[DriveInHouston]

I am in a similar quandary too...

At present, I have 4500 mi to the next oil change, but a 2-month (i.e. June) time mandated oil change. The 20k or 2-year service is time limited (i.e. October).

Should I do the 2-year service in May (including the oil change),

or, should I do the oil change in May and the 20k/2 year service in October and leave it to the tender mercies of the dealership to grant me a refund for not doing an oil change?

Third option would be to go to a certified mechanic for the oil change (if I get a significant discount over the dealership). If they have PIWIS, is that all I need to prove the service was done?

 

[Viffermike]

I am in a similar quandary too...

At present, I have 4500 mi to the next oil change, but a 2-month (i.e. June) time mandated oil change. The 20k or 2-year service is time limited (i.e. October).

Should I do the 2-year service in May (including the oil change),

or, should I do the oil change in May and the 20k/2 year service in October and leave it to the tender mercies of the dealership to grant me a refund for not doing an oil change?

Third option would be to go to a certified mechanic for the oil change (if I get a significant discount over the dealership). If they have PIWIS, is that all I need to prove the service was done?

All you really need to prove the service was done are receipts -- if, say, you did it yourself, you just need proof of purchase of the parts. What you'd need PIWIS for is to reset the car's oil-change indicator, which (as I understand it) can't be done easily as a home mechanic.

I think changing your oil in May and excluding it from the October 20k service makes the most sense in your case. Neither you nor a mechanic (dealer or otherwise) are required to perform every point of scheduled service if some of it has already been done previously.

 

[DriveInHouston]

All you really need to prove the service was done are receipts -- if, say, you did it yourself, you just need proof of purchase of the parts. What you'd need PIWIS for is to reset the car's oil-change indicator, which (as I understand it) can't be done easily as a home mechanic.

I think changing your oil in May and excluding it from the October 20k service makes the most sense in your case. Neither you nor a mechanic (dealer or otherwise) are required to perform every point of scheduled service if some of it has already been done previously.

Good info. Thank you Mike.

I am thinking about a Porsche certified mechanic who has PIWIS. That and the receipts should be good enough.

 

[nineball]

if i were in your shoes mike i would do the oil change now and have your guy give it a once-over, repairing/replacing anything that is needed. it's cheap peace of mind insurance for the trip.


then again i am a little anal when it comes to oil changes and vehicles