2UZ oil change intervals
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Zero0575
Member
I personally do every 5,000 miles. But I have never sent oil for analysis or anything like that so I have no reasoning or logic other than personal preference. I think I recall reading somewhere about people doing 7500-10,000 with oil analysis to confirm that there were no issues with those intervals (on the 2uz).
I just changed my oil after a bit over 6,000 miles. I usualy don't let it go that long although they claim synthetic oil will last 7,500-10,000 miles. I usualy change it twice a year-once as the the cold weather sets in in the fall and again 6 months later because having fresh oil in helps it turn over a bit easier when the temps outside hit sub zero. It's at bout 4,000 miles each time.
The only way to know for sure the recommended intervals for your specific trucks is to have a lab like Blackstone analyze the oil for you after you've run your oil for your normal interval and let them advise you if it is safe for you to either extend your intervals, keep them the same, or shorten them.
Anything else is just guessing.
Blackstone Laboratories
Anything else is just guessing.
Blackstone Laboratories
I aim for 5,000 mile changes, but sometimes that gets stretched to 7,500ish +/-. Basically, start thinking about an oil change when the reminder starts to flash (5000) and try to actually do it before it goes solid (7500). I've been running full synthetic for most of the 18 years I've owned the rig.
FWIW, Toyota shortened the recommended change interval, possibly with the addition of VVT-i on the 2UZ. In my '03 manual and onboard reminder, the recommended interval is 7500. I've seen later owner's manuals and possibly on the Toyota owner's site, that later 2UZs were reduced to 5,000 mile changes.
As Johnboy says, there's only one way to know for sure. But, even an analysis is subject to whatever driving conditions that particular fill experienced.
One can assume manufacturers are going to err on the conservative side in their maintenance recommendations (warranty). Now, how comfortable you are in exceeding that specification is up to you. I haven't been able to bring myself to push 10,000, yet. I always think back to the NYC Taxi study back in the ?80s? when the written-in-stone rule was 3000 mile changes. Even with the muck that passed for motor oil at the time, oil analysis said the cabs were good for 6000+, IIRC. Maybe the internet still has that information archived somewhere, if you're really curious.
FWIW, even as far back as the 4th Gen...a number of manufacturers had already started using the onboard computer to monitor engine parameters that impact oil life to notify the owner when a change was due instead of using a fixed interval. For instance, the BMW straight sixes of similar vintage to the 2UZ will allow up to 12000 miles, maybe more, depending on driving conditions. Our company Silverado trucks with the 5.3 liter V-8s allow 15000 miles, maybe more, between changes...how old is that engine design? Main difference is the quality of the oils.
FWIW, Toyota shortened the recommended change interval, possibly with the addition of VVT-i on the 2UZ. In my '03 manual and onboard reminder, the recommended interval is 7500. I've seen later owner's manuals and possibly on the Toyota owner's site, that later 2UZs were reduced to 5,000 mile changes.
As Johnboy says, there's only one way to know for sure. But, even an analysis is subject to whatever driving conditions that particular fill experienced.
One can assume manufacturers are going to err on the conservative side in their maintenance recommendations (warranty). Now, how comfortable you are in exceeding that specification is up to you. I haven't been able to bring myself to push 10,000, yet. I always think back to the NYC Taxi study back in the ?80s? when the written-in-stone rule was 3000 mile changes. Even with the muck that passed for motor oil at the time, oil analysis said the cabs were good for 6000+, IIRC. Maybe the internet still has that information archived somewhere, if you're really curious.
FWIW, even as far back as the 4th Gen...a number of manufacturers had already started using the onboard computer to monitor engine parameters that impact oil life to notify the owner when a change was due instead of using a fixed interval. For instance, the BMW straight sixes of similar vintage to the 2UZ will allow up to 12000 miles, maybe more, depending on driving conditions. Our company Silverado trucks with the 5.3 liter V-8s allow 15000 miles, maybe more, between changes...how old is that engine design? Main difference is the quality of the oils.
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This. Driving styles vary. Oils vary. Climate varies. Your engine may vary, too.
6,000 miles (10,000 km) should be safe to do on synthetic. Probably further.
If you are concerned about maybe throwing away good oil, or even worse --excessive wear or damage from using depleted oil-- pay for a UOA or two to make sure of your interval. :amen:
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Flesh Eater
Member
15,000 to 25,000 miles with Amsoil Signature and Amsoil filter.
When I was running Mobil 1, I did every 3,000 miles which ended up taking 6 months or more to acquire. 5,000-7,500 seems to he what most people do.
When I was running Mobil 1, I did every 3,000 miles which ended up taking 6 months or more to acquire. 5,000-7,500 seems to he what most people do.
BlackWorksInc
New member
I have been doing 1yr/10k oil changes with a sample sent to BlackStone on Amsoil 5w-30 Signature Synthetic with their extended interval oil filter. Been getting good results with that, but I might go down to 5k intervals since I idle the vehicle quite a bit on my lunches and I haven't been driving as much as I used to.
