Oil Change, How Long???

How often do you change your oil?

  • I change the oil every 3,000 miles or eariler.

    Votes: 308 24.2%
  • I change the oil every 5,000 miles, good balance.

    Votes: 691 54.3%
  • I change the oil every 7,500 miles as recommended by the manual.

    Votes: 165 13.0%
  • I change the oil every 10,000 to 15,000, or when ever.

    Votes: 92 7.2%
  • I never change the oil, it's just a communist plot.

    Votes: 17 1.3%

  • Total voters
    1,273
Toyota says you can go 7.5k on dino oil with the 90915-2004 Denso Japanese filter. Not the YZZD3 Thai one. Reminds me - I need to pick up a case of those filters as they're superior to EVERYTHING on the market.

What model year are you referring to? Also, what information do you have that substantiates the claim that said filter is "superior to EVERYTHING on the market.?
 
Just read your manual. Evry 5000 or 6 months for regular oil and 10,000 or 1 year for synthetic.

Is there somewhere in the manual that states that synthetic doubles the change interval of the oil? I'm only gradually increasing my change interval while I use oil analysis to establish a safe limit.
 
Synthetic motor oil is engineered to stay in an engine longer than conventional motor oil, but you only really want to be using synthetic oil if your engine has less than 75,000 miles on it.

ClockWork posted: "the 90915-2004 Denso Japanese filter, not the YZZD3 Thai one"

From my research, manufacturing of the Denso YZZB9 in Japan was discontinued and then simply re-dubbed YZZD1 (almost the same filter even though now it's "Made in Thailand") and the YZZD3 is also a "Thai one" and really the same filter as the YZZD1 (same width only taller for V8's) but can also be used on 3VZ-E's!
 
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I wouldn't hesitate to try synthetic in a well kept 4Runner with around 150k;I changed both my 4Runners ('97&'99) right under 100k and haven't had a drop of oil hit the ground since. My friend bought my '97 and he's got almost 180k on it and I have 169k on mine. I think it might be more about time than miles.
 
Changing oil

Why not just follow the instructions in the manual and you will have no problems with warranty. I am sure the manufacture decides the best interval, otherwise they could be replacing a lot of engines or parts if the schedule were different. The 2011 is fully synthetic and recommends 10,000 or 1 year. Why not stick with that.
 
I change oil every 10,000 miles whether it needs it or not.

I use mobil 1, with a mobil 1 filter.

By the way, I have 259,000 miles on my 98 4Runner, yes I do tow a heavy boat, and no, I do not need to top off my oil between changes.

I think people should change their oil per the manufactures recommendation. I am just lazy.
 
Free

I get free oil changes with the purchase of my vehicle(2 years complimentary) and then a 75,000 mile service plan afterwards. After the 75,000 miles, I'll use Mobil 1 and change every 8,000 miles.
 
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unusual oil change question...

I have an unusual oil change question. I joined this web site mainly to have this question answered. I have a 1994 4Runner, 6 cyl., that I use as a back up vehicle due to the low gas milage. I also use it during heavy snow falls. I bought it about 10 years ago and it had 147,500 miles and now has a little over 149,000 Miles.

My question is how often should I change the oil? Last year I took it out twice and one time was to let it stretch its legs for a couple of days

I am changing the oil today and putting in Mobil One synthetic High Mileage 10W30. I am going to take it to northern Wisconsin in august and put on three to four hundred miles and then not use it much for the rest of the year.

At what point is the days/months the oil has been in the vehicle more important than the mileage put on the oil?
 
With the mileage you run up, treat it like a snowblower. I run synthetic in my snowblower, and change it when it gets halfway between the new-fill colour and black. In my case that's twice in 15 years. It uses no oil, and starts on the second pull if I don't use the electric start. JMHO.
 
Oil Experation date?

Doesn't oil have an expiration date and start to break down due to time? I will continue to look into this matter but your suggestion to monitor the color of the oil makes sense.
 
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Manual says 10k with synthetic.

So I change it every 10k.

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I change my 02' at about 5,500 mile intervals. Still golden brown on the dipstick when I change it. Using Penzoil Ultra Platnium 5w30 with Prolong engine treatment because I work 3 miles from home. Lots of short trips. My UOA last change was below normal wear levels, and Blackstone said I could go further if I wanted on the OCI. My guess would be 7,000 mi OCI with this combination.

I'll do 10k oil changes on my TRDP.
 
Dino over to synth?

Our new to us '00 5sp SR5 Runner has 198,456 on the 3.4, the PO had free dealer oil changes every 3k miles. I'm sure the dealer used dino oil if it was "free" changes. Since I do my own oil changes is it OK to switch over to Mobil 1 or should I just stick with the dino? I plan to put about 8K miles a year on the Runner in CT. weather.
 
[MENTION=129755]indawire[/MENTION], I agree with [MENTION=150]Billf6531[/MENTION]. You may want to look into running an engine flush treatment before switching over to synthetic. The extra detergents will help flush out and sludge/depostis that could be left behind from running dino oil. Not 100% necessary, but just a suggestion. Synthetic oil will clean these up over time as well. Based on your expected 8K miles a year, I would recommend the Amsoil XL line for protection to 10K miles.
 
since this seems to be a lively oil thread (found in a sticky) and didnt want to start a new one.

i have an 08' with 120k miles. my oil question/issue is 2 parts.

first part.
ive been changing every 5k since day 1 with M1 full synthetic 0w-30, the green lid. should i change to high mileage 10w-30 sythentic? i have the last 4 jugs of oil still in my garage and it doesnt appear im having any leaks since all are filled very close to the same amount. but my latest trip to the store to get my 5qt jug they had high mileage for over 75k miles. do i stick with what ive been doing or change?

second part
its getting a little chilly here in CO, today leaving work the start up took a few attempts (i just turn key to touch and let car retry). is this due to oil waiting to warm up?
 
If the engine is not consuming oil between changes, keep doing what you've been doing. Check the air filter, and pull a spark plug and check it. That may be the cause of the hard starting. I suggest Iridiums if you change plugs.
 
thanks [MENTION=150]Billf6531[/MENTION] i am due for a plug change. ill pull them this weekend and change them out. are the Iridiums the 100k ones? i have the V6 and been using the 30k versions from the dealership
 

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