First Oil Change...Break in ?s

S

Scott Ay

New member
Just picked up the new 06 4runner. Love it! This is the first "new" automobile I have purchased in about ten years. I was surprised to see that the first reccomended oil change was at 5 K. Would appreciate hearing what other owners would recommend. Also, any advice for break-in period, or using the 4WD once a month, etc., would be much appreciated.
 
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With my '05, I did the first oil change just before 2000 miles (at the dealership since it was free) and then another one at 5000 miles before a long road trip. At that time, however, I switched over to Mobil-1 synthetic (5w-30) and will now continue changing my oil & filter every 3000 miles with Mobil-1 as long as I drive this vehicle.

I just turned 8000 miles and will change it again this weekend if the weather holds up. Of course, this is my "second" vehicle and I don't drive as many miles as most other folks......but I'll maintain it as though I might keep it after my 3-year lease ends. The jury is still out on that, however, but I'll make up my mind before January of 2008.
:awais:


 
I changed mine a couple of weeks ago when it turned 500 miles. My father always told me to "flush out" new break in oil at around 500 miles. This gives the seals plenty of time to seat and get the "new" engine shavings out. I also drained and refilled my differentials and transfer case with Mobil 1 synthetic the same day. I am glad I did because even though my 06' only had 500 miles on it, all 3 drain plugs had sludge buildup (they have magnets). So, I cleaned all 3 plugs and put in the synthetic. This way, I have synthetic throughout the whole vehicle. Its something I like to do, but some members may call it an overkill. I just like the best fluids to be in my vehicle as early as possible and at all times:D
 
I switched to synthetic at 10k and still burned half a quart in the next 2 or 3000 miles after that I was fine.

From everything I read and engine guys I know, I would only switch over to synthetic after 10k.
 
Hitman said:
That's probably not a good idea. You should have waited until the engine was fully broken-in before switching to synthetic.
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I don't think its such a big deal. A lot of high performance vehicles come with mobil1 from the factory. I also read somewhere on the mobil1 website that you don't have to break your vehicle in before you switch to synthetic.
 
Agree with MR2. Urban legend material here. SM rated regular and synthetic oils lubricate similarly and lubricate well under normal engine operating service, breakin included.
 
Hitman said:
High performance engines that use synethetic oil are fully broken-in before they leave the factory.

If your vehicle was not originally equipped with synthetic oil (like our 4Runners), then you should really give the rings a chance to break in before switching over. I doubt the Mobil1 website would advise using synthetic on an engine that is not broken-in.
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Yes that could be. But I highly doubt that the Mustang Cobra or the Corvette engine are fully broken in before they leave the factory. Oh well it doesn't really matter. The 4Runner runs fine and I haven't experienced any problems at all.
 
Hitman said:
.....I doubt the Mobil1 website would advise using synthetic on an engine that is not broken-in.....
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There it is, straight from their website:

Myth: You should break in your engine with conventional oil, then switch to a synthetic oil like Mobil 1.
Reality:


You can start using Mobil 1 with SuperSyn Technology in new vehicles at any time, even in brand new vehicles. In fact, Mobil 1 with SuperSyn Technology is original equipment (it is installed at the factory) in:
Aston Martin
Bentley Amage and Bentley GT
Cadillac CTS, XLR, SRX and STS
Chevrolet Corvette
Dodge Viper
Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles
Mercedes SLR
Mitsubishi EVO
Pontiac GTO
All Porsche vehicles
One of the myths that surrounds synthetic oils is that new engines require a break-in period with conventional oil. The fact is, current engine manufacturing technology does not require this break-in period. As indicated by the decisions of the engineers who design the high-performance cars listed above, Mobil 1 can be used starting the day you drive the car off the showroom floor.

Link: http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Synthetics/Myths.aspx
 
Scott Ay said:
Just picked up the new 06 4runner. Love it! This is the first "new" automobile I have purchased in about ten years. I was surprised to see that the first reccomended oil change was at 5 K. Would appreciate hearing what other owners would recommend. Also, any advice for break-in period, or using the 4WD once a month, etc., would be much appreciated.
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I picked up my 2006 SE about 2 weeks ago and the dealer did not prep the vehicle which means it still had all its stickers and plastic from the factory. In the upper left corner of the windshield is the sticker below. Looks like the first oil change is in 1000 miles.

<img src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c302/matoolie/122_2270-b.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com~original">
 
1000 miles on OEM, then you can switch to synthetic. If you want to follow the OEM recommended change intervals you can use petroleum based oils. If you use a brand name synthetic (like Mobile 1 or Amsoil, which have been proven to be rated high) you can safely run the oil 10K miles or one year. Using synthetic and changing it every 5000 miles is a waste of money. The one thing to remember is full synthetic is far superior to petroleum based oil in EVERY aspect.

Koz
 
I've lost count of all the people I know who run M1 synthetic and change the oil every 3000-5000 and 1 who changes it every 2500 and their reason is I drive hard:bash: what a waste
 
I can see one reason why the oil should be changed at less than 10k miles. If the filter isn't designed for longer intervals, then I would change it at 5-7K miles. I remember when my BMW M3 oil change interval was lengthened. I asked around and it seemed that BMW released a better filter element.


Unless, I know for sure that my OEM filter will last for 10k miles and/or I have an oil analysis to support this then I will continue 5-7.5k mile changes with Mobil 1.


Conventional oil should be changed at 3-5k miles no matter what.
 
Also keept in mind that oil, whether regular or synthetic, collects contaminents over time that are so fine no filter extracts such as combustion products and dust that gets by the air filter.

Save the oil analysis money and change the oil often. Changing the oil often is not a waste, synthetic or regular.
 
I found this info on the Red Line Oil web site. I'll probably change the oil in my 06 with dino at 2.5K and switch to Mobil 1 synthetic at 5K.

Can I break-in my engine on Red Line Oil?

We recommend using petroleum 10w30 motor oil on break in to ensure proper piston ring seating. If you allow 1500 to 2000 miles in a street engine or 20 to 30 minutes on the dyno at low rpm, the rings will have had sufficient time to seat and the high initial break-in wear will have occurred.

Do you recommend special oil for driveline break-in?

A differential or transaxle will break-in with a synthetic product without issue. Some aftermarket ring and pinion suppliers recommend adding additional friction modifier to reduce temperatures and friction during the critical break-in period. Drain this mix after break-in and re-fill.
 
What is the recommended wait before hard acceleration? I've got 350 miles and I'm afraid to see what she's got yet. Last car I had was 500 miles.
 
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