I am a student and I usually drive my 3vze about 110 miles each weekend. (I drive from san jose to san francisco on the weekends).

During the week though, the rig is just parked under a roof (outdoor garage).

Is this okay for the motor?

Generally speaking, is it bad for the motor to only be started twice a week for a 55 miles all freeway no traffic drive @ 65mph each time?

Currently, i'm using amsoil 10w30 w/ amsoil filter & 6 month oil change intervals.

Any input is welcome!

 

You should be okay! After all, you have Toyota and not Ford or Jeep

-- Andrey

 

so the condensation that sits there for a week doesn't corrode the engine? doesn't make the oil more abrasive?

 

I am in the EXACT situation, except I drive mine about 160 miles every weekend and been doing it all semester. Mine also sits there all week in a UNcovered parking lot , but everything has been ok when I start it up to take it to the highway.

My quess is that it will be fine as long as it does'nt just sit there for more than 3 weeks (or more) straight.

 

Considering your mild climate, that your rig is thoroughly warmed-up and battery recharged each time, that you get fresh fuel about every 2-3 weeks, and are using synthetic oil, you're definitely good to go!

 

It is OK to do what you are doing. Its bad to drive a car for many short trips adding up to 100-150 miles per week. This is because the engine is run for short lengths of time (10-15 min) and not reaching temps to burn off contaminants. Its also stop and go. You are doing highway travel at good speeds that probably take 1hr each way. This type of question has been answered here before http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi? .

 

mine sits uncovered everynight, i wake up and drive it 5 miles to class in stop and go traffic. then its sits there for a couple hours. then i drive home 5 miles in stop and go traffic and it sits there until i make another short trip in stop and go traffic...

i always let the engine warm up for a couple mins in the morn before i drive it, unless im late.

i currently run whatever the standard oil is and change it every 3-5k miles.

im also getting about 180 miles/tank.

 

Make sure that you use only Toyota oil filters.

Most oil filters will drain most of the oil back into the pan so a dry start can occur when it sits for a extended period of time.

Jeff

 

first off, toyota filters aren't that great compared to mobil 1 filters and amsoil filters. if you just cut open a few and compare the internals you'll see the difference between brands/models.

check this link: http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...=000723#000009

they also cut open an amsoil sdf-20 here but it is an older version with rounded holes.

the last filter pics are of a toyota filter... total crap..

if i were to choose any oil filter to use on my rig, it would be either the amsoil, the mobil 1 or the k & n.. although the k & n doesn't have that great of an efficiency rating with no tests to backup their efficiency claim.