New Runner - how often to check the oil

[bbates]

I was a bit suprised to read in the manual that Toyota recommends checking the oil level every time you gas up. I've put 2000 miles on my Runner now and so far the oil level hasn't budged one bit. I was just curious how often those of you with newer cars check your oil.

My wife has a 2000 Infinity G20 and she NEVER checks her oil, she just gets it changed every 3000-5000 miles - so far no problems. I just traded in a 97 Isuzu Rodeo that required close to a quart every 500 miles or so.

 

[boston_kevin]

always recommended

If you read any vehicle owner's manual, they will advise you do to the same thing... That's been in the owner's manuals since the 70's. Best suggestion is to check the oil once a week for the first 3k-5k miles. if there are no leaks or funny smells/color/particles, you could probably back it off to every other week or a couple of times per month.

Checking the oil alerts you to any problems before they leave you on the side of the road... newer cars are not as prone to head gasket leaks, burnt valves, and oil leaks, but better to find out the problem in your driveway than on the highway...

 

[Pribilof]

I check mine every other fill-up. Thats about every 800 miles. I probably don't need to check it that much but it makes me fell better. IMO; Toyota > Infinity (Nissan) >> Isuzu

 

[Mark86]

I only check my oil if the light goes on. On rare occasions, I would check it while putting in windshield washer fluid. My view is if the oil light is not on, why check it? :awais:

 

[Pribilof]

I only check my oil if the light goes on. On rare occasions, I would check it while putting in windshield washer fluid. My view is if the oil light is not on, why check it? :awais:

In my ex-girlfriend's '00 Celica GTS, her oil light did not start coming on until it was 2 quarts low! And the light wasn't even continuously on, it only came on on hills, around turns, etc.

 

[boston_kevin]

warning lights (aka idiot lights)

These lights are not supposed to come on if the system is marginal. They are supposed to light when there is a problem (hence the nickname idiot lights). Remember those fuel warning lights from long ago? When the light came on, you better hope there's a gas station at the bottom of the hill you are on.

Unfortunately, there is no system that I know of that will continuously monitor oil levels and more importantly oil quality. Having 5 quarts of bad oil is almost as bad as only having 3 quarts of oil in the system. Part of checking the oil is making sure that there are no metal filings or excessive dirt in the blood lines of your motor.