Oil Change Question

[Mark86]

I had my first oil change on my car at 3,000 miles. The dealer put a sticker on the corner of my window that says I should have my oil changed at 6,000 miles. I am just wondering if it is safe to wait until the 7,500 mile check up or should I just do a quick oil change between?

 

[peter78]

How long do I go between oil changes? Good question. See this link:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=674

The manual says every 7,500. Our poll says most people change between 5,000 and 3,000 miles. A lot of experts now say with the better oil, concern over the envoronment, better engines, a 5,000 mile oil change is a good compromise.

I still change every 3,000 miles, but I think that might be a bit extreme. If you use sythetic you might even go futher.

 

[mikes4runner]

I change mine at 3,000 miles too, but I am from the old school(the way I was taught). Your truck will be fine. But I can't imagine waiting to 7,500

 

[Mark86]

I think I will compromise and wait it out until 7,000. The only thing that worries me is that since my last oil change (12/03), it has been extremely cold here. I guess if I see my maintence light come on, it is time for an oil change. :driving:

 

[peter78]

I change mine at 3,000 miles too, but I am from the old school(the way I was taught). Your truck will be fine. But I can't imagine waiting to 7,500

I have 2 cars with over 180,000 miles on it. I may have some problems with them, but never with the engines. Yes, I still go with the 3,000 mile oil change.

It seems to me that I would judge changing you oil on how long you keep your car.

Keep it forever = 3,000 mile oil chage.

Keep it for 100,000 (+-) = 5,000 mile oil change.

Keep it for 50,000 or less = 7,500 mile oil change.

 

[snowjay]

My Dodge has 210k on it and I usually do 3-4k oil changes on it except in the winter months when I extend it to 6k. I've used Mobil1 in it since about 40k and have no concerns about extending it to 6k. From what I've seen in the Toyota manuals they recommend a 5k oil change and I'll probably stick to that year round since I'll also be using Mobil1 in the motor.

 

[peter78]

In my opinion it is better to go 5,000 miles with Mobil1 than go 3,000 miles with regular oil. In my 4Runner I switched to Mobil1 and go every 5,000 miles and I have been very impressed with it. By the way it still cost more to use Mobil1 at 5,000 miles than it does Castrol GTX (regular oil) at 3,000 miles. I would not have much concern either if I went 6,000 miles with Mobil1.

 

[haro]

my first oil change was at 2800 mi. now my truck has 4800mi. and I'm changing the oil in a week from now.....I only use my for runner on the weedend.

And I also have a 91' mpv with 223,000mi. I change oil every 2,000mi.
My father is a mechanic and he told that the key to keep an engine running running in good condition is to change oil every month if you use your car every day.

 

[lin]

Today I noticed that the MAINT light on my dash was flashing at me after I started the car. I turned the car off and tried again-- more MAINT flashing. I was not happy that I might be having car problems (03 LTD V8) at just over 5k miles. I swore to myself the whole way home. After navigating my way through the crypticly translated manual, I discovered that the MAINT light flashes when you hit 5K miles-- in theory between oil changes. The light can be reset and will go off after the next 5k miles. I suspect that the dealer that did my earlier oil change has never read the manual either and didn't reset it.

You all may be more well versed in all of the truck's features, but I figured I'd give you a heads up and maybe save you some aggravation.

 

[Mark86]

Today I noticed that the MAINT light on my dash was flashing at me after I started the car. I turned the car off and tried again-- more MAINT flashing. I was not happy that I might be having car problems (03 LTD V8) at just over 5k miles. I swore to myself the whole way home. After navigating my way through the crypticly translated manual, I discovered that the MAINT light flashes when you hit 5K miles-- in theory between oil changes. The light can be reset and will go off after the next 5k miles. I suspect that the dealer that did my earlier oil change has never read the manual either and didn't reset it.

You all may be more well versed in all of the truck's features, but I figured I'd give you a heads up and maybe save you some aggravation.

I had the same exact problem on my car. My mom was taking my car in for service and she saw the maintence light flashing. She told the dealer and they just reset it. They told me that I may beed an oil change and at the time I had one 1,000 miles ago. I guess my dealer is just as careless! When she told me what happened, I was confused because the car did not flash the day before!

 

[mikes4runner]

I think I will compromise and wait it out until 7,000. The only thing that worries me is that since my last oil change (12/03), it has been extremely cold here. I guess if I see my maintence light come on, it is time for an oil change. :driving:

The maintence light is only a reminder to get your oil changed according to your odometer. I have to change the oil in my MR2 every 6 mths because I don't put that many miles on it. I just keep a log book for each of my cars.

 

[mikes4runner]

my first oil change was at 2800 mi. now my truck has 4800mi. and I'm changing the oil in a week from now.....I only use my for runner on the weedend.

And I also have a 91' mpv with 223,000mi. I change oil every 2,000mi.
My father is a mechanic and he told that the key to keep an engine running running in good condition is to change oil every month if you use your car every day.

:

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: every 2000 miles I think with todays oil and synthetic oils you could change it later then that.

 

[haro]

When the oil gets too dark, the inside of your engine gets dirty and that dirt acumulate by time, that's when you start hearing noises in the engine. And then engine problem begin:beer: :beer: :beer: