First oil change at 5k or 10k or sooner?

[uncbasketball]

Whenever I buy new cars, I have always change at the 1k mark. My fear was that metal shavings from a new engine could an issue. Others have argued that today's engines are made better and this is no longer an issue. I decided to run the factory oil from the 4runner until 5k and send it in for an analysis. Here is the results. As far as whether this oil can last til 10k mi, I don't have enough experience in reading these types of analysis so I'm awaiting an answer from them.

 

[TOPDECK]

I took mine in at 3500k while we were out on a trip. The dealer (St. George, Utah) said that the engines and synthetic oil combo are designed to be changed at 10k. He showed me the oil and it looked brand new. He did say that the rear diff was overfilled from the factory (a common thing he stated), and they corrected it, but the fluid inside was clean as a whistle.

 

[coldtoes]

I can't tell you anything about the numbers on the analysis, but I can tell you Toyota's recommendation is every 5K. I am at 4,500 miles on my 2012 T4R and my "Maintenance Required" light just popped on.

Since you already changed the oil at 1K, I'd say change it at 6K.

 

[uncbasketball]

I can't tell you anything about the numbers on the analysis, but I can tell you Toyota's recommendation is every 5K. I am at 4,500 miles on my 2012 T4R and my "Maintenance Required" light just popped on.

Since you already changed the oil at 1K, I'd say change it at 6K.

I didn't change it at 1k. This oil is at 5k. Toyota no longer recommends 5k mi oil change. It's 10k mi now. They want you to bring the car in every 5k mi for things like fluid top off, tire pressure, rotations, etc. I changed the oil myself at 5k so I could do an analysis.

 

[Huskey]

Your idea to change after the first 1K is something that you should have stayed with. The fist oil change is an important one.

 

[mpaquette]

I did a change at 5k, 10k, then 20k. I had Blackstone do an analysis of the 20k oil change. I posted the results on this forum. From my memory, everything was fine according to Blackstone. My copper was a little high, like yours is. Blackstone said that it was probably still left over from break-in. I plan on having them do another analysis when I do my next oil change at 30k. Unless something crazy shows up, I'll be sticking with Toyota's recommended 10k OCI.

 

[Barry694]

Oil change

Just change as the manual recommends. Toyota warrants their engines for 6 years/60,000 miles. You think they would say every 10,000, if it should be changed initially at 1000 miles. All these things go back to the 50's when this was recommended. In the 90's dealer's recommended every oil change at 3000, when the manufacture said 5000. Changing more often unless towing heavy loads is a waste of money. I read an extensive article a couple of years ago where they tested the oil in taxi cabs in NYC after following the manufacturers recommendation and found the oil to still be good after all the idling and slow stop and go traffic 24/7 that taxis get put through.

 

[1engineer]

I can't tell you anything about the numbers on the analysis, but I can tell you Toyota's recommendation is every 5K. I am at 4,500 miles on my 2012 T4R and my "Maintenance Required" light just popped on.

Since you already changed the oil at 1K, I'd say change it at 6K.

You are wrong. 10K. Read the manual and search for 100's of pages on this discussion on this forum.

 

[1engineer]

Whenever I buy new cars, I have always change at the 1k mark. My fear was that metal shavings from a new engine could an issue. Others have argued that today's engines are made better and this is no longer an issue. I decided to run the factory oil from the 4runner until 5k and send it in for an analysis. Here is the results. As far as whether this oil can last til 10k mi, I don't have enough experience in reading these types of analysis so I'm awaiting an answer from them.

Nice analysis but your fears are unfounded. 10K unless you tow all the time or drive through the desert on dirt roads.

 

[harper7]

Your idea to change after the first 1K is something that you should have stayed with. The fist oil change is an important one.

Agree ,but Toyota does complete engine runs and changes the oil the first time themselves before it even goes in the truck so that was the important first one.

Just change as the manual recommends. Toyota warrants their engines for 6 years/60,000 miles. You think they would say every 10,000, if it should be changed initially at 1000 miles. All these things go back to the 50's when this was recommended. In the 90's dealer's recommended every oil change at 3000, when the manufacture said 5000. Changing more often unless towing heavy loads is a waste of money. I read an extensive article a couple of years ago where they tested the oil in taxi cabs in NYC after following the manufacturers recommendation and found the oil to still be good after all the idling and slow stop and go traffic 24/7 that taxis get put through.

Depends on which manual you have then? The 2010 manuals for the first printing and until mid year when they changed the manual , read 5k oil changes. To be fair ,they did send me a supplement later with the manual change.

I do agree with you that under normal driving conditions,10k oil changes with recommended 0w-20 oil should be fine. I drive semi-normal(leadfoot) in abnormally hot and dusty summer conditions and change mine about every 7500 miles being a semi-abnormal person.YMMV

I do my part for conservation though as I just dig a deep hole in my back yard and give my old oil back to mother earth. I have the mineral rights so when they drill for it someday I'll be set. I think they have drilled about every place but my back yard down here in Texas so it's just a matter of time.Just kidding of course! I save it to light zombies on fire like everybody else.

 

[uncbasketball]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I'm not going run 10k in the car. From the analysis, it looks like there is still a lot of moly left in the oil at 5k mi. Therefore, I think running it 10k should be no problem. There were a lot of argument here a while back about oil changes so I thought I would just post the analysis for a good discussion. But with my cautious nature, I would do that first oil change sooner rather than later. After that 10k all the way.

 

[coldtoes]

You are wrong. 10K. Read the manual and search for 100's of pages on this discussion on this forum.

This would be why Engineers get such a bad wrap. Try expanding your vocabulary beyond three word sentences and you won't come across so harsh. I've owned three new toyotas in the past ten years and all of them had the same 5K recommendation. It's a pretty reasonable basis to form an opinion on. I also did read the manual, but perhaps I missed this. Either way no need for you to be so rude.

I, by the way, am also an engineer, which does not mean it gives me the right to spit out facts (or opinions as facts) without a bit of charisma... as you seem to think it does. Out of curiosity, why do you identify yourself around the idea of being an engineer? I understand it's part of who we are, but the formula as a pic seems a little over the top, no?

:redbrick:

 

[Silverado]

Blackstone are trusted professionals in UOA. Do what gives you the greatest peace of mind, but trust their advice.

 

[mpaquette]

This would be why Engineers get such a bad wrap. Try expanding your vocabulary beyond three word sentences and you won't come across so harsh. I've owned three new toyotas in the past ten years and all of them had the same 5K recommendation. It's a pretty reasonable basis to form an opinion on. I also did read the manual, but perhaps I missed this. Either way no need for you to be so rude.

I, by the way, am also an engineer, which does not mean it gives me the right to spit out facts (or opinions as facts) without a bit of charisma... as you seem to think it does. Out of curiosity, why do you identify yourself around the idea of being an engineer? I understand it's part of who we are, but the formula as a pic seems a little over the top, no?

:redbrick:

Relax. After you've spent some time here, you'll see that these same topics come up frequently and some tend to spread mis-information and bro science.

 

[1engineer]

This would be why Engineers get such a bad wrap. Try expanding your vocabulary beyond three word sentences and you won't come across so harsh. I've owned three new toyotas in the past ten years and all of them had the same 5K recommendation. It's a pretty reasonable basis to form an opinion on. I also did read the manual, but perhaps I missed this. Either way no need for you to be so rude.

I, by the way, am also an engineer, which does not mean it gives me the right to spit out facts (or opinions as facts) without a bit of charisma... as you seem to think it does. Out of curiosity, why do you identify yourself around the idea of being an engineer? I understand it's part of who we are, but the formula as a pic seems a little over the top, no?

:redbrick:

I really do not care what "rap" (not wrap as you say) I have. My vocabulary is sufficient to communicate with others. If you really care, do a search of my older posts and you will find I can communicate clearly and concisely with others. You stated as fact something incorrect and I corrected it. Sorry you think I am harsh. Many existing and potential owners read these threads and if I see something that I know is incorrect I try to correct the conjecture and opinion with fact where I can, as they can get opinion anywhere. I understand how you "assumed" something except you communicated it to others as if you knew what you were talking about without any prior research.

About my screen name: Let me ask you a question - Do you have cold toes? Well, I am an engineer, and I am one person, hence 1engineer. I could have been "1mountainbiker" or "1dad" or "1basketballplayer" or "1geek" or "1bookreader" or something else I do but in the real world most think of me as an engineer. The formula in my avatar is from partial string theory which comes from a joke my son and I have (from his calc class) as he will be starting on his road to college in the fall. It also is part of a television show we both enjoy. So, by that comment, I guess I have a bit of charisma. Bazinga.

When I have an opinion or assumption I state something to that effect somewhere in the post. If it is fact not readily available (like an owner's manual) I try to cite my source.

Sorry.

 

[Antman]

:snacker:

I liked the "Do you have cold toes?" part,

and it was more than a 3 word sentence, so it didn't sound too harsh.:biggrin2:

 

[GrantK]

Just kidding of course! I save it to light zombies on fire like everybody else.

Have you finished the flame-thrower exhaust mod yet?

 

[2003 va runner ltd]

The new engines run with 0-w20 which is full synthetic good for 10k miles

 

[PGRunner]

I just brought the truck in for the 5k service and according to the receipt they did an oil change.

 

[trex9K]

10K unless you tow all the time or drive through the desert on dirt roads.

Has anyone undertaken a study that concludes there is no real world benefit to changing more frequently?