I am going to change my own oil.

[Stephanie]

There were about 30 new Toyota owners that showed up last evening. The Dealer served coke and salami h'dourves with a big veggie plate and cookies. It was nice. But it wasn't shrimp cocktails!

They introduced all the service people and had several displays of air filters, belts, brakes, pictures of warning lights and their meanings. Thjey encouraged us to change belts at 30,000. There was 4 or 5 drawings, I didn't win the football tickets nor dinner theatre tickets, but they gave us all party-prizes. So we all got a free oil change, a bucket, sponges and a mitt to wash the car with.

The general theme was: "Use us to get your car serviced because we know how and don't make mistakes like Firestone and Midas and JiffyLube." They gave us an opportunity to buy the special coating over the car, Zycor, (Sp?), And they gave us an opportunity to buy an extended warrenty up to 100,000 miles or 7 years. I didn't buy that.

They are all very nice people and since I bought a service agreement I know I will be seeing them.

They are sticking to 5000 miles for every oil change, but I will change it myself between then. I want my 4Runner to last over 200,000 miles.

I am on the prowl to get all four volumes of the 2007 4Runner Repair Manual. But I am not paying $500 dealer cost.

 

[<<<<]

I am on the prowl to get all four volumes of the 2007 4Runner Repair Manual. But I am not paying $500 dealer cost.

For $10/day (one time charge) you get them all, just save or print.

techinfo.toyota.com

 

[TheBlueWave]

Steph, I understand you and others feel that changing oil at 5,000 miles isn't enough to make the engine last 200k miles. My experience using Mobil 1 5W-30 and changing every 5k has been good. The oil still LOOKS good. I know it may not actually be good, but if looks could kill, I must be dead.
I am of the school of thought that oil changes every 3000 miles is excessive and was pushed on us by the good people of the automotive and petroleum industries. Unless you drive in very dusty conditions or take short trips in cold weather often, it just isn't necessary.
GM and Honda use oil monitoring sensors in their vehicles. My mom's Buick has asked for oil changes after as much as 8000 miles, and as few as 4100 miles during the winter months. Her oil still looks good when its changed. With a 100k mile powertrain warranty, I think the oil monitoring system is trustworthy (so does GM) which leads me to believe 5000 mile intervals on a Toyota engine is plenty.
That is just my opinion, folks, not trying to start wars or badger anyone (and please don't tell me how my ride will be dead in 3 years, either). Just something to consider for saving money and being easier on the environment.

 

[Hank]

:iagree:
I use 5w20 Mobil1 w/Mobil1 M1-102 Oil Filter every 7k miles and I'm pretty confident my 4R will hit the 200k mark with ease. I'm at 64k miles after 3 years & 3 months. I'm actually aiming to hit 300k and hand it down to my future son.

I believe using Mobil1 oil+filter every 5k miles is not really necessary. If you're aiming for 200k, it's a little overkill, but if you're aiming for 300k, then it's a good start. Even with dino oil + oem Toyota filters every 5k is good enough for 200k miles. Heck, my dad's '93 Nissan Quest (assembled in the US by Ford) has 188k miles on it and it was changed w/dino oil up until 30k when I started doing the oil changes myself w/Mobil1. Engine & Tranny wise, it's pretty solid, but other components have given me problems. Regardless, I expect it to hit at least 250k miles.

BTW, I would agree with others that the ramp is really useful. I used to just slide underneath w/o jacking it up, but the working space is limited. Using the ramp also helps when greasing the driveshaft. I definitely wouldn't use the oem bottle jack unless I have a flat tire out on the road. I use a 3 ton floor jack (w/jack stands) to do the job w/o any worries.

Just my 2 cents

 

[jharris2]

The general theme was: "Use us to get your car serviced because we know how and don't make mistakes like Firestone and Midas and JiffyLube."

Figured as much -- but at least you got some cookies out of the deal.

 

[wolfgang]

Unless you sit in rush hour traffic for hours (ha probably not in Kansas) or churn thru off road rocks and mud - changing oil every 5k is fine. IMHO you are wasting time/$ and impacting negatively on environment by changing in between trips to them. I would double check them after they do change oil - they too can forget to add oil or overfill the pan. Wait a year or 2 and look on ebay for the manuals - you have a 3 year warranty so probably not even needed til them.

 

[peter78]

The general theme was: "Use us to get your car serviced because we know how and don't make mistakes

What a rip, you would think showing how to change oil is pretty basic. They were going to tell you how to maintain you car, telling you to go to the stealership is probably not what you had in mind.:bash:

Steph, I understand you and others feel that changing oil at 5,000 miles isn't enough to make the engine last 200k miles. My experience using Mobil 1 5W-30 and changing every 5k has been good. The oil still LOOKS good

Agreed, I change regular oil on my old cars every 3,000 miles and I change the 4Runner with Mobil1 every 5,000 miles. To me changing with Mobil1 every 5,000 miles is more of a over kill then changing regular oil every 3,000 miles.

 

[Stephanie]

Thanks guys for all your friendly advice. I will be sure to post a picture of my first oil change. But that will be a while, the spedometer is still under 600 miles.

Ramps do sound like a good idea.

Mobil1 must be good oil. I'll see if Walmart has any.

As for the 2007 Repair manual, I may see if Ebay has any for sale. The price is bound to come down after a year or so.

I care for the environment too. I guess we must each decide how much we care for our engine and how much we care for the environment and balance these.

 

[wolfgang]

Also its best to stick with same brand (Type too - dino vs synth) of oil from oil change to oil change due to additives in different products. DO NOT let stealer con you into extra additives (which they charge extra for) or for serivces not required by the service schedule in the owner's manual. They love to charge for a power steering flush, power cleaning fuel injectors, clean/adjusting disc brakes -- all are just to empty your wallet! I do like to add a bottle of Chevron Techron FI cleaner once a year or even every 6 months.

 

[Ghostrider]

Before you start leaping under the vehicle and pulling plugs you probably should do a little research. There are numerous threads on synthetic vs. dino oil. You also need to decide when to do the first change. Again many people have different opinions about what mileage the first change should be done at. I haven't crawled under an 07 but I cannot figure why it would need ramps. Also several threads indicate that Toyota has a special mechanic that installs the factory oil filter to a torque setting that requires Hercules to remove. It might actually be worth it to find a good mechanic for the first change and have him let you watch (or help).

 

[peter78]

Ramps do sound like a good idea.

Mobil1 must be good oil. I'll see if Walmart has any.

I have been changing oil in cars since I have been driving and I have ramps for my cars. The reason for the ramps is to get to the oil filter, which in most cars they bury deep underneath. It my old 4Runner to have to crawl under the car and really reach. But, your car has the filter up on top. I am thinking of getting a new 4Runner with the V6 engine and if I do, I would change the oil without the ramps. Even though I have them. You just have to make sure you can undo the oil plug and have a trash oil container that is low enough to get under the car.

Everyone is right, in that you need to figure out which type of oil you use. I use Castrol GTX 5W30, regualr oil, in my old cars and Mobil1 5W30 in the 2001 4Runner, my new car. WalMart has been selling Mobil1, 5quart container for $20. Which is really good. It usually is 5 to 6 bucks a quart, so 4 bucks a quart is really good for synthetic. Still that runs me about $28 or so for my 4Runner. I use about 5 1/2 quarts, one Toyota filter and one crush washer. With regualr oil, if you get it on sale, it run you about 1/2 the cost, or about $16 bucks.

Oh, three quick notes for changing oil, I have paper towels or a rag handy as I always make a little mess. I use a old throw rug to put under me when I get under the car. AND very important, you need to dispose of the oil properly. Most auto part stores will have a container for you to put your waste in.

 

[jeober]

I get a kick whenever I hear the environmental concern of using an extra 5-6 quarts of oil for frequent oil changes by those who are burning many extra gallons of fuel in relatively low mpg vehicles.

I don't mean to incite anyone here (and I do burn a lot of gasoline) but pulling this carbon concern by 4runner owners is the pot calling the kettle black.

 

[peter78]

I get a kick whenever I hear the environmental concern of using an extra 5-6 quarts of oil for frequent oil changes by those who are burning many extra gallons of fuel in relatively low mpg vehicles.

I don't mean to incite anyone here (and I do burn a lot of gasoline) but pulling this carbon concern by 4runner owners is the pot calling the kettle black.

Bruning gas in a vehicle and poruing 6 quarts of oil directly to the ground are two totally different things.

 

[NCSCOTT]

I went 50k miles with the original crush washer with no oil leaks or adverse affects. I didn't really know I needed to change it at the time.??? I now buy 6 at a time and use them for 2 changes. I flip it over the second time. You can get a case of OEM Toyota oil filters (10) for $39.90 shipped off ebay from TRDPARTS4U. I use the V-8 filter on the V-6. See the link to the thread below it talks about the filters.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30856

IMO it is easier to use ramps. They are not necessary but make life a little easier. I have done it both ways.

I use Plain 5w-30 Mobil 1 (not the extended performance) and go 6000 miles between changes and I have an oil sample analyzed by a lab at each change. Blackstone labs. Below is a link to a thread with my 50000 mile lab report (my first one). I have since settled on 6000 mile OCI since after 6000 miles my copper numbers started to creep up.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18985

Here is a link to Blackstone labs

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

 

[TheBlueWave]

I get a kick whenever I hear the environmental concern of using an extra 5-6 quarts of oil for frequent oil changes by those who are burning many extra gallons of fuel in relatively low mpg vehicles.

I don't mean to incite anyone here (and I do burn a lot of gasoline) but pulling this carbon concern by 4runner owners is the pot calling the kettle black.

Saving what you can is a good idea. Like if you recycle aluminum cans why wouldn't you recycle plastic bottles?
I drive this guzzler because I put it to good use. I use it to tow things, haul things, camp, fish, and transport others and myself in comfort.
I do see your point, however, so let me restate mine. Changing oil more frequently than necessary is a waste of money. Saving the environment is one thing, but saving money is another. Like money, though, the environment is saved little bits at a time. A penny saved is a penny earned, a quart saved is a quart earned. :soapbox: (Did that make any sense?)

 

[Jacob456]

I use the ramps rather than a jack & stands. Much quicker, easier and safer. I have to agree about watching someone else doing it first - not saying that you can't figure it out on your own, but watching someone for the first time (especially on your own vehicle) really helps, especially to have them point out the oil pan bolt and how to change the filter without spilling oil all over the block. I had my dad help me the first time and after that it's a piece of cake. Before you know it you'll be a regular grease monkey! Make sure you've got some old clothes, towels, and some fast orange or Goop.
After I had to go pay $70 to have the oil changed in my sister's Explorer at Iffy Lube I refused to let someone else change the oil. (I had to have them do it because of time constraints, trust me, I wouldn't have let them do it if I didn't absolutely have to). Good for you for doing it yourself.

 

[wolfgang]

I'm sure I change my oil much to frequently. I don't drive many miles and most are in city stop-go traffic. I still remember the old FRAM ad (before they earned a bad reputation for their low end filters). It had grease monkey mechanic holding their orange filter who said "You can pay me now or pay me later." Seems it went on where "oil is cheap but steel (and the repair bill) is not." Used oil gets filtered and reused - or burnt for heat so not like its a total loss.