Important first oil-change question:

[bluewolf]

For years I've known from talking to mechanics and machine-shop guys that brand-new vehicles should have their oil drained at 1500 miles to get the metal-shavings out.

A buddy of mine who just bought a new Pilot says that Honda initially puts in a specific "break-in" type of oil and wants it to remain in the vehicle for the first 5000 miles. He showed me the documantation that says "Do not change oil for the first 5000 miles".

I was about to take our 4Runner in today (its at 1525) when my friend questioned this an asked whether Toyota does something similar. I don't have the manual with me to check on this, does anyone know??

 

[ScottAW]

I have ~1500 miles on mine too, don't plan on changing the oil until 3000. I'll run dyno oil in it until 10,000 miles, then switch over to synthetic. Plan to switch the synthetic every 10,000 miles, switch the filter every 5 and top off as needed.

 

[Kanab]

Toyota does not use breakin oil. I just changed mine at 1700 miles. I changed the oil in my wifes 350Z at 1200 miles. I think it is good to get fresh clean oil and filter into the engine after some breakin miles. The next change is 3000 miles later and then every 3000 for the 350Z and 3-4000 on the 4runner. Check out when your 4runner was manufactured, the engine might of been built 1-2 months before this and the original oil installed. My 4runner was built in January of 2004 so based on this the oil is at least 4 months old and maybe older based on when the engine was built. Bottom line you can change it now or at 5000 miles like the manufacture recommends. I just like going the extra mile, this way someone gets a good used car some day.

 

[EDGE]

I changed the 4Runners oil at 1000 and my ES300 at 5000, I'll never by another new car and change the oil so soon unless the manurfacture recommends it, Toyota says no need in changing the oil til the 1st recomended oil change at 5k or those who feel the bearings will cease and a piston rod will blow through the block 3k:arrow:

 

[Kanab]

I hear you Edge. I think it is a combination of "what we use to do" and what the majority of "oil guru's" do themselves. I just figure that if that early oil change gets out a lot of the possible early breakin residue, that would be a good thing. It only cost me $29. You got to figure in the life of the vehicle what is $29. Plus, even though Toyota or Lexus does not recommend it, that does not mean it is not a "good thing". Toyota does not recommend changing the brake fluid or PS fluid, but we all know that it is good to do. JMHO Check out what the oil guru's recommend at www.bobistheoilguy.com

 

[bluewolf]

or those who feel the bearings will cease and a piston rod will blow through the block 3k:arrow:

Nah, I don't believe the engine will seize up. We've never owned a brand-new vehicle before, let-alone one which cost 30K. I've never had any control over how the original owners treated our previous (used) vehicles in their first few thousand miles, so it didn't matter to me so much. Actually having the opportunity to break-in a brand new engine properly is a new experience to me.

 

[yabedude]

I changed mine at around 1000 Km (625 Mi) and again at 6300 Km (3938 Mi). To heck with what Toyota said. Oil is cheap in comparison with what shavings could do.

 

[SteveM]

I changed the oil and filter in the 4Runner at 5K and at 7.5K (miles) in the Bimmer. Factory recommendation on the Bimmer is 15 K miles for the first oil change!

 

[Kanab]

I changed the oil and filter in the 4Runner at 5K and at 7.5K (miles) in the Bimmer. Factory recommendation on the Bimmer is 15 K miles for the first oil change!

Steve I know that BMW has a system that tells you when you should change oil based on driving style and conditions, but how do you feel about 15K miles for a oil change interval? Go to this site they have great information on this subject and see what they think. www.bobistheoilguy.com

 

[SteveM]

Well, I sure didn't like the idea of 15K miles between changes. I split the difference and went with 7.5K mile changes. I'm getting free maintenance for 50K miles, so I do every other oil change and the dealer does too. The 330i requires full synthetic.