How often to change engine oil

[chupo50]

Hi, my 2002 4runner has like 80,000 miles. The dealer says I should change oil every 5,000 miles, but today I came across some articles advice don't change oil too often. They say every 10,000 is better. Who should I listen to?

 

[T4R2014]

If you want a safe recommendation, then go by what Toyota(and don't confuse them with your dealer!) says. 5,000 is what was recommended by the engineers at the time. That is the safe answer, but you can experiment with extended intervals through used oil analysis results.

 

[csp]

Were those articles referring to regular petroleum oil or synthetic?

If you truly want to know the life of your oil in your vehicle have an analysis done on it every other oil change. Blackstone labs is one place that will do this. They will tell you what chemicals/particulates are in your oil, which will tell you a story on engine wear and/or filter quality along with an expected oil change interval.

I have no affiliation with them other than being a happy customer.

Blackstone Labs

 

[jgue467]

5000 miles, its an EZ number to remember

These are tough yet old engines, use full synthetic, a good filter and change them both every 5k as stated above. I'd also run something to reduce the upper and lower carbon buildup like startron in fuel and seafoam in oil. Luck.

 

[kolelt]

I use dino oil and change every 3000k. That's just me. I'm interested in sea foam.but to afraid to add anything but oil in the oil !!!

 

[d0nkeyxpunch]

5k miles

 

[HiLife]

Every 5000 miles.

 

[Darwinian_Crusader]

3 months, or whenever I get bored. Whichever comes first. Usually boredom. (I don't drive much when I'm in school hence going by time and not miles.) If I drive alot, I won't go past 5k.

 

[Unner]

I do mine between 4 and 5k miles. Depending on if I have a longer trip coming up soon or not and when I have time to do it or have it done.

 

[TheDurk]

I go 6500 on full synthetic with a NAPA synthetic oversize Platinum filter, and UOA´s from Blackstone say I could go longer.

 

[Link12]

I use Amsoil full synthetic with a Toyota filter and I change at 6,000.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

Some call it a "waste" but I change oil every 3,000mi. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[piecesparts]

I run synthetic, the previous owner ran a synthetic oil, also. I change my own oil and I do it at 5000 to 6000 miles on the vehicle. I run a Napa Gold filter (Made by Wix) and I also add a friction reducer to my oil changes. It may sound like a placebo, but I have results from other engines with over 150,000 miles and very little wear in them. I attribute it to the friction reducing agent.

 

[99ToyoRunner]

I use Mobil 1 synthetic and change it every 4 to 5k...doesn't leak, or burn any between changes

 

[wc11]

I've changed it every 5k km since new and am on the brink of 500k km (310k miles)
Regular blood transfusions are never a bad thing.

 

[MrRoo]

To me oil change intervals completely depend on your driving style and conditions. My 4runner gets changed every 3000 no matter what with Shell Rotela T6 synthetic. Im over changing it big time. My wife's Highlander gets changed every 5000 with T6 synthetic. Always highway miles. My G8 gets changed every 3000 with Mobil One right now or T6 if im doing a track day. Then it is changed right out after a track day. I probably waste a lot of good oil. But its my money and my cars. I like them to last. I do the same with all my equipment and motorcycles. I over maintain everything. Not just Engine oil. All fluids.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Our 97 gets lots of short trips. Wife only works 3/4 mile from home. So I change it every 3000 miles and use the T6 also. Heck I use the T6 in most everything but the harley and 4.7l grand cherokee. Including my 98 ZX9R ninja, 1970 396SS Chevelle, 86 CJ7, 94 Ram With the Cummins, 87 XR600........

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Every 3000 miles with Castrol High Mileage part synth and Fram filter (I know people don't like Fram, but I've never had any problems with them - in hundreds of thousands of miles of using them in multiple vehicles).

I do my own too. The last time I had it done at a quick lube place it came back with the same filter. When I called the guy he said, 'Oh yeah, we had a Napa filter on the shelf and since you used one before we just put it on'. I asked him if it had the same dirt ring around it like my old one did. I hate being lied to more than being cheated.

 

[amalik]

I go 6500 on full synthetic with a NAPA synthetic oversize Platinum filter, and UOA´s from Blackstone say I could go longer.

Not OEM Filter? Nothing against NAPA... Just based on what I know about you, I wouldn't think you would do a NAPA filter

Is the NAPA synthetic cheaper than OEM?

 

[amalik]

I've changed it every 5k km since new and am on the brink of 500k km (310k miles)
Regular blood transfusions are never a bad thing.

Dino or Synthetic?

Were those articles referring to regular petroleum oil or synthetic?

If you truly want to know the life of your oil in your vehicle have an analysis done on it every other oil change. Blackstone labs is one place that will do this. They will tell you what chemicals/particulates are in your oil, which will tell you a story on engine wear and/or filter quality along with an expected oil change interval.

I have no affiliation with them other than being a happy customer.

Blackstone Labs

Anything more near us than IN? (Denver Metro Area)