2nd Oil Change and Still a PITA!!

[12guns]

My 05' Sport V8 had 108k miles in Feb when I bought it. I'm just shy of 116k, guess I've been driving more than I realized! Love the 4runner but not a big fan of having to remove the skid plate to get to the filter! Not that big a deal, but it does take a few more mins.

The first oil change was with Penzoil Platinum synthetic w/ a Pure One filter. I let almost 6k miles pass between changes. I've NEVER let more than 3500 miles pass with dino oil. I didn't send off a sample, but kind of wish I had.
Last night I used Royal Purple with a k&n filter that was on sale at Advanced autoparts. Total was $55 or so oil and filter.

Any other RP users out there? I'm debating about how long to go before changing the next time. I'm reading 10-12k is not uncommon, but doubt I'll push it that far. I've also been reading some people change the filter after 4k or so, others say it's a waste.
What are you takes on oil change interval and to or not to change filter mid way?

 

[05V8FF]

synthetic oil i go 7500 mobil 1 or amsoil in my VW R32, which see's red line a bit :lookout:. I haven't decided what to put in the 4 runner i just purchased. I have some regular mobil 1 non synthetic so i'll probably use that first. Then when the next change comes i'll figure out what i want. These are my reasons for only going 7500 miles when yes amsoil says go 25k.

1. 25K is a long ways and scares the $h1t out of me.

2. Even though the oil may be doing great, little carbon deposits build up and still travel through the oil and filter, meaning abrasive things.

3. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE my friend, will help a vehicle last, and no matter what going past 10k is not routine in my book.

 

[Bamaskeet]

I would have stayed with Penzoil or Mobil 1. I'm not a big fan of RP.

 

[GMZ]

Im running M1 EP on my way to 10K on this run, probably stretch it out to 15K after UOA. I wouldnt push RP past 7500 or so. PP is a great oil, and indications are that the new Ultra is even better. Ditch the K&N filter for an M1 filter.

 

[JB.]

Love the 4runner but not a big fan of having to remove the skid plate to get to the filter!

You might try it from the top next time.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance/61542-changing-v8-oil-filter-top.html

 

[gqr1c3boi]

I use the Castrol Full Synthetic and change every 5k miles, kind of don't want to push it further than that.

 

[Ducman]

Really?

I think its pretty easy myself. The skidplate comes off easy, move it out of the way and go. I mean you could probably have someone with a plasma cutter cut out an access hole for the filter if you really wanted but its only 4 bolts and the skidplate hardly weighs anything.

Heck with my Revos on I dont even use ramps anymore, just crawl under the truck and drop the skidplate, pull the filter, drain and fill. Less work than my other vehicles considering I dont need ramps.

I go 6,000 on Mobil1 myself, I'm sure I could go longer but it's what I'm comfortable with. 5 quart jugs at WM!

 

[GMZ]

The V8 isnt especially hard to change the oil on, but it is much more of a PITA than my V6 was! The V6 takes literally 5 minutes. The front skid plate has hooks to hold it in position while you un-bolt it, but they often get ripped off by negligent mechanics.

In other news AZ has 5 qts M1 EP + M1 filter for $35, just the ticket for 10-15K miles. Also had 5 qts M1 + M1 filter for $30. Not bad considering the filter is $12.99 by itself.

 

[Ruffian]

I use Lucas Oil fully sythn. and Toyota OEM filter...every 7,000 miles. If I didn't off road, I'd push it for another 1,000. At 7,000 miles for me, the oil looks about 70% done (carbon). Since I haven't been in very dirty areas, in 3,000 miles when my next change is due, I'll check it before I change it. I also do a engine flush at least once a year with my oil change. I'm running RP fully sythn in my diff's. I'll be changing them again in less than 10,000 miles and I forget what brand I picked I'm going to.

 

[12guns]

I would have stayed with Penzoil or Mobil 1. I'm not a big fan of RP.

How about an explanation?

 

[12guns]

Well, I didn't mean the oil change is hard to do, only that it's more time consuming that on my old Tacoma.
Anyway, I'm shocked that more people are not going longer between changes when running synthetic oils. I also have been a regular oil changer on other vehicles, but all the reading I've done seems to say a good quality sythetic can go 8-10k without any problems. Granted an analysis is needed to confirm that...
I may switch back to PP next time, but It did have some valve noise on start up from time to time. Seems to have gone away w/ the Royal Purple.
I know everybody has their own opinions and thoughts about what oil and filter to use, just looking for the oil change interval you guys are running. Thanks for the responses

 

[GMZ]

How about an explanation?

RP is, IMO, overpriced and overhyped. I dont recall offhand what it costs per quart but when I can get M1 EP for about <$5/qt OTD, which is a true 15K mi oil I dont feel like paying the same or almost the same for RP which is at most a GIII oil but maybe even a GII with fluffy addpack. The BITOG forums are a wealth of info on oil topics, you seem interested in it I would recommend you look around there.

ETA: And PP is one of the best oils out there for any price, let alone some of the crazy lowness Ive seen (ie 75% rebate).
ETA2: RP has come out with a line of oil filters that from some reviews Ive seen are pretty damn good.

 

[Ducman]

...
Anyway, I'm shocked that more people are not going longer between changes when running synthetic oils. I also have been a regular oil changer on other vehicles, but all the reading I've done seems to say a good quality sythetic can go 8-10k without any problems. Granted an analysis is needed to confirm that...

I know everybody has their own opinions and thoughts about what oil and filter to use, just looking for the oil change interval you guys are running. Thanks for the responses

My truck is typically between 75%-90% city driving and short trips (less than 10 minute trips). Because of that I feel 6,000 miles is a good oil change interval for Mobil 1. I run Toyota OEM oil and air filters, they are very reasonable when bought in bulk online from Ebay or the like.

The longest I have gone was 7500 miles before an oil change which included about 2500 miles of solid highway driving.

Could I go longer... maybe, but I feel I'm already lightyears head of the 3,000 mile oil change masses and with all the city driving I feel 6,000 is a good spot to change at.

 

[12guns]

I found more reviews on Penzoil Platinum and agree it's hard to beat for the price. I like Mobile 1 just fine from the reviews as well. Honestly I bought RP w/o much research cause it was on sale. I'll prolly change this at 6500 miles, should be a safe bet.
I did watch a RP test on youtube that is quite convincing however you never really know how the test was conducted unless you do it yourself. Anyway, thanks for all the replies. I'll be going back to PP w/ a good quality filter on my next oil change. I may send off a sample of the RP to see how if held up after 6500 miles. I'll do the same in a few months w/ the PP and update you. Thanks!

 

[Bamaskeet]

My experience is that RP is full of additives while it's base oil is just ok. It's like buying a mediocre steak and putting a lot of A1 to make it taste good. I would rather have a good steak and less sauce.

I suggest you stay with Mobil 1 or Pennsoil synthetic if you want good oil viscosity and a flat viscosity curve.

 

[Sporin]

I'm due for a change, I'm at about 8500k miles on Pennzoil Synthetic and a Pureolator Gold filter. Oil still looks like honey (yes, I now visual isn't a scientific test)

No offroading, all paved roads, easy rural highway and around town driving. Given how low-stress the V8 is I see no reason to do 3k changes, even on regular dino oil.

Purely my opinion, not meant as expert advice. :hiding: