Factory Oil...change it at 1500 miles or let it ride till 5000??

[Moving Chicane]

...the Tacoma has the same engine and requires every 5,000

This is because they found a long-term problem with the timing chain in the engine. Some have said "old oil" is a contribuing cause; I'm not so sure but I'm no engineer (and didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night either!).

I think that's the same engine we have; so I'm changing every 5K. My 2001 Taco DblCab is at 180K with changes every 5-7.5K miles and no engine issues (just lot's of brakes!!!!).

 

[Quentin]

And there is no way I am going to wait until 10,000 miles to change it again. That's crazy to me, the Tacoma has the same engine and requires every 5,000.

I change my oil myself, so I save money there. Unless you are getting your oil analyzed and keeping tabs on condition of oil, 10,000 miles is just too long IMO.

Since you aren't aware that the 1GR in the Tacoma and the 1GR in the 4Runner are two completely different engines (single VVT, shim buckets on the valvetrain versus dual VVT, roller rocker valvetrain), I'm going to continue to follow Toyota's advice on oil change intervals.

:bluejump:

Looking around for some citations on the differences in the 1GR, I came across this.

Toyota 4Runner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Criticisms
Although the fifth Generation 4Runner has had numerous safety improvements, there is a large percentage of the U.S. customer base that is very disappointed in the navigation system. There have been numerous complaints made to Toyota due to the overly intrusive safety programming changes made to the upgraded 7" touch screen navigation system. This intrusive software actually disables most functionality when the vehicle is traveling over 5 MPH. All features related to finding a destination are disabled, phone functionality is disabled, most radio and audio functionality is also disabled.[citation needed]
All attempts to rectify this with Toyota Motor Company and the OEM Denso Electronics have been unsuccessful. Neither company will respond to customers complaining about this unnecessary and intrusive change, nor have they provided any options to customers who wish to disable the feature and allow use of the system while driving their vehicles.[citation needed]

Fess up. Who is the drama queen getting passive aggressive on wikipedia? :roadkill:

 

[jspagna1]

Changed mine at 1k, 5k, and every 5k after that. I also had a lot of metal in my first few changes. I wouldn't call it shavings as it was more like little particles.

Aside from the first oil change I've been following the severe use schedule for peace of mind.

This is the interval I'm going with. Changed it a 1K and currently have 3K. Will do it at every 5k from now on.

 

[thebwlife]

How many of you guys have actually driven a vehicle from new owner to 200,000 miles? I would bet less than 5% of people on this site. I have driven 5 to over 200K. Not one time has there EVER been anything wrong with the engine cause by the lubrication system. The cheapest of cars engines built today all are pretty reliable in regards to the engine lubrication system.

1989 Ford Probe GT (Turbo) 233K - 1st car
1994 Blazer 4x4 5.7L (K5 style) 240K - 3 transmissions
1996 Tahoe 4x4 5.7L 230K - moms first, then mine after 180K
2001 Chevy 4.3L 210K
2003 Tahoe 4x4 195K - traded on 4Runner in Dec 2011

Most of the time it was 3K-5K oil changes with non-syn oil and a fram filter. Point being it's not likely that If you keep up with just the normal factory recommendations you engine with be just fine. You could always be my cousins, girl friends, uncles, cousin that has has 3 4Runners throw a rod bearing at 26K - but it's pretty unlikely.

You're much more likely to blow up an engine caused from a cooling problem than oil problem. You're even more likely to have transmission issues, transfer case, misc axle/wheel bearing, front/rear dif issues, brake, or A/C issues that would make it uneconomic to fix or bug you enough to just call it a money pit and get something new.

JMO - and 10 years of auto service and parts experience at dealers I have worked for.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Your 94 blazer was of the GMT400 chassis/body style rather than K5

I agree with the rest of your post, these Toyota engines are very clean. I changed the oil in my 2uz at little over 6,000 miles and it was still transparent. My Chevrolet or Audi would have been black and opaque as night.

 

[thebwlife]

Your 94 blazer was of the GMT400 chassis/body style rather than K5

Yeah it was just a 2 Door big one, wasn't sure of the body code. Extreme 4x4 on Spike made one just like my old one a SAS on 37's, it was awesome.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Yeah it was just a 2 Door big one, wasn't sure of the body code. Extreme 4x4 on Spike made one just like my old one a SAS on 37's, it was awesome.

One of my dream off road vehicles would be a 95 Yukon GT/Blazer with a 6.5 detroit because I am nostalgic and like to root for the under dog as well. SAS and a 5 speed with lockers, go anywhere vehicle.

 

[dsfra]

The "Official" word from Toyota

Figured I'd throw this into the oil change mix.

Sent this e-mail to Toyota, in part as a "CYA":

I purchased the vehicle on 02/20/12, and have only put 1214 miles on it so far. I recognize that the normal oil and filter change interval is 10,000 miles or 12 months, but for "Special Operating Conditions" it is 5,000 miles or 6 months. Thus far, the vehicle has not been subjected to any of these "Special Operating Conditions". My question is whether it would be beneficial (or at least non-detrimental) to do the first oil and filter change before 10,000 miles / 12 months. Given that the vehicle is coming up on the 5,000 mile / 6 month maintenance, and that this maintenance specifies an oil and filter change for "Special Operating Conditions", I would like to find out whether Toyota would specifically recommend against an oil and filter change at my low mileage given that the vehicle has been subjected to only "normal" operating conditions. I have no hesitation regarding changing the oil and filter "early" if it would benefit the longevity of the engine. Would an oil and filter change at 1214 miles be considered "too early" with respect to an appropriate break-in period with the original factory oil?


Their reply:

We would not be opposed to you changing your oil sooner than the recommended time. We would however recommend following the maintenance recommendations as outlined in your 2012 4Runner Schedule Maintenance Guide.

So... Apparently no harm in an "early" oil change re break-in issues. I got the 0-20 synthetic oil at the dealership with a $4.99 per quart coupon, and am not worried about the expense and time it will take me to do the "extra" early oil change. Just thought someone else might find this information from Toyota to be useful.

 

[Stifler]

So... Apparently no harm in an "early" oil change re break-in issues. I got the 0-20 synthetic oil at the dealership with a $4.99 per quart coupon, and am not worried about the expense and time it will take me to do the "extra" early oil change. Just thought someone else might find this information from Toyota to be useful.

you do realize it wasn't a Toyota engineer that answered your email right? lmao

changed mine at 5k, 10k, 20k, and headed in this weekend for the 30k change All synthetic from the start.... not a single problem to report. I am sure it will run for as long as all you other oil Nazi's rigs will :hatsoff:

 

[dsfra]

Wow... I do realize that I don't know exactly how or to whom my e-mail was routed, nor who actually ended up providing the answer. I doubt that the receptionist sits around making up answers to technical questions.

Nazi? No idea what fascism has to do with oil changes.