oil change

[irwinSR5]

Why is it that the majority of car companies tell their customers to change their oil around 3,000 miles when it seems Toyota tells their's to change it at 5,000 at the beginning. (I'm talking about the 5,000 -> 10,000 -> 20,000 -> etc appointments they have).

Difference in the engines?

Toyota engines seem to last forever so I would think they know what they are doing..

 

[peter78]

Actually, 7,500 miles is the recommended oil change from Toyota. Some dealers recommend 5,000 others 3,000. If you look at the poll on how often you change your oil, you will see 40% change at 3,000, 50% change at 5,000 and 9% at 7,500.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=674

 

[EDGE]

www.mobiloil.com

they now offer 5000, 7500 and 15000 miles oil guaranteed

 

[Hitman]

Call me old school, but I still don't feel right going past 3000 miles between oil changes.

With the longer recommended intervals these days, I've decided to stretch my oil changes to 4,000 miles, but there's no way I'm waiting 5,000-7,500 miles between oil changes.

I look at it as cheap insurance-- an oil and filter change cost about $12-15 if you do it yourself. I'll stick with my 4,000 mile intervals.

 

[irwinSR5]

I figure I will go to Toyota and have them do it for me whenever they tell me I need to come in, they mess up and screw something up, they will replace it. I have a warranty for a reason :O

 

[kimboy]

I am sure a lot of people will be wasting their money changing their mobile 1 at 3K intervals, even if its guaranteed to last 5, 10 ,15K miles. I am not one to use synthetic (lifetime oil changes for me at the dealer), however, I know many friends that are not smart enough to use synthetic for the recommended durations.

Toyota engines and transmissions seem to opperate at optimal levels as to reduce wear and tear, noise, and to optimize effienciy.

It seems they are just engineered better than the competition

 

[kimboy]

better than the competition

 

[boston_kevin]

depends on the oil too

Dino oil I wouldn't go past 3000, 3500 miles tops, because of the breakdown that occurs after that point.

Synthetic, 5000 miles is a good point to change, even though the oil still has life left to it, if there are any pieces of metal floating around, you don't want them to get caught up in the oil pump intake. Although tests have been done to 15k miles per oil change, I would not chance it... As previously mentioned... Cheap insurance.

 

[Kanab]

Peter, I think Toyota changed the interval in 2003 to 5K miles. My 95 LC was 3750 tough conditions and 7500 normal conditions. I think they made the change because they wanted to take that decision away from the consumer. I change every 3750 miles using Castrol GTX 5w30 and OEM filter, just because I can. One thing I've found is that the 4.7 V8 is very easy on oil and can go with longer changes then most engines. You can see this by looking at owners used oil analysis on www.bobistheoilguy.com kind of amazing how all the members of that sight go on about what a great engine the Toyota 4.7 V8 is Just glad I own one

PS - remember it is also important to use the OEM air filter in your vehicle since it does a excellant job of protecting the engine just as much as a good oil with the recommended OCI. Owners that buy the "high flow" air filters are harming their engines.

 

[pat161]

There is nothing wrong with using a K&N or amsoil cotton filter element, they neither harm the motor nor do they let in more contaminants. People who use high flow air filters are not damaging their motors, assuming they are cleaning and oiling the filters on a regular basis. Perhaps you could make an argument for the kit that replaces the air box and has an open filter element, but suggesting the drop in filters hurt your motor is just plain wrong.

 

[Hitman]

Re: depends on the oil too

Dino oil I wouldn't go past 3000, 3500 miles tops, because of the breakdown that occurs after that point.

Synthetic, 5000 miles is a good point to change, even though the oil still has life left to it, if there are any pieces of metal floating around, you don't want them to get caught up in the oil pump intake. Although tests have been done to 15k miles per oil change, I would not chance it... As previously mentioned... Cheap insurance.

Regular motor oil doesn't typically "break down" after 3000 miles...that's a myth. I'm not saying that it can't happen in extreme cases, but it is a very rare occurance. The problem lies in contaminents and byproducts of combustion (such as water), which will affect any/all motor oils, including synthetic.

Regardless of the type of oil you choose, it will still get contaminated by these byproducts at the same rate, which is why synthetic oil should be changed on a regular basis--not an extended interval.

 

[Hitman]

Owners that buy the "high flow" air filters are harming their engines.

I think a high flow air filter, such as K&N is a waste of money if you are buying it to gain power. But one benefit is that you can buy just one and use it for the life of your vehicle, assuming proper cleaning and re-oiling techniques are used.

To say that people are damaging their engines with these types of air filters is just wrong. Studies have shown that air filters such as K&N can trap smaller particulates than OEM air filters. The danger with these high-flow filters is that too many people don't know how to re-oil them properly and end up destroying their mass air flow sensors.

 

[Kanab]

To say that people are damaging their engines with these types of air filters is just wrong. Studies have shown that air filters such as K&N can trap smaller particulates than OEM air filters. The danger with these high-flow filters is that too many people don't know how to re-oil them properly and end up destroying their mass air flow sensors.

Dirt is not good for your engine and oil is not good for the Mass air flow meter. Here is an interesting study, by an independent guy. Bottomline no real gain and added risk, what's the benefit?? I just think its funny that the same people that will go out and spend big bucks for the most expensive synthetic oil will add a aftermarket high flow airfilter that introduces more dirt and does not really increase performance. Plus they cost more. http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm

Sorry about the thread hijack. Back to OCI

 

[Hitman]

Dirt can ruin the engine. Here is an interesting study. Bottomline no real gain and risk of damage, what's the benefit?? http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm

I'm not saying that dirt won't cause problems, but from what I've seen, aftermarket air filters are usually just effective as the OEM paper element filters. Most of the dirt particles that make it past the air filter and up in the oil anyway.

The real benefit is that fact that you can wash/re-oil filters like the K&N, where you must throw the OEM filter in the trash and buy new ones over and over again.

BTW, I use the OEM filter and have no plans on buying an aftermarket filter:

 

[noodlesfusion]

I'm not saying that dirt won't cause problems, but from what I've seen, aftermarket air filters are usually just effective as the OEM paper element filters. Most of the dirt particles that make it past the air filter and up in the oil anyway.

The real benefit is that fact that you can wash/re-oil filters like the K&N, where you must throw the OEM filter in the trash and buy new ones over and over again.

BTW, I use the OEM filter and have no plans on buying an aftermarket filter:

just out of curiousity- in order for these hi flow air filters to be at their best potential, dont you have to take out the restrictive secondary airbox anyways? plus if you do dont you need to route an effective air ram to the airbox so the engine can get cold air rather than hot air from the engine, causing loss of hp? also i heard of rumors that the oils used on the perfomance air filters eventually leave a nasty film in your motor after years of use causing your engine to lose performance.. is this true? to me i dont really see a difference in popping in an aftermarket filter unless you plan to sup up your motor... dunno just my 2 cents

 

[EDGE]

4Runner get M1 and a Toy Filter ever 5000-7500 miles, stayin within warranty limits just incase

ES300 gets a Toyota oil change after 5000 miles, they use dino Exxon Super Flo, stuff pretty good, stays clean looking all the way up until it's changed, my M1 with 5000 miles in the 4Runner looks dirtier then the Super Flo with 5000 miles

I think it's funny that Toyota recommends 5000 mile intervals but the dealer tells customers every 3000 miles, the dealer also makes 80% of their money on service so every 3000 miles is easier to check customers and do work they don't need : Both Lexus and the dealer network say 5000 miles, at least here, I can only speak for the dealers I've been to

 

[EDGE]

I know this is not on topic with Toyota but I read somethings that said Honda using 5w20 actually wears the engines out faster cause the engines are not made for that oil but Honda uses it to meet emission standards, alot of confusing info about what oil to use on Honda boards

 

[Koz]

I know there are members here that think petroleum (dino) based oil will provide the same protection as synthetic oil as long as you change it at low intervals (2/3K miles). This is NOT true! Synthetic was originally designed for jet engines. There are tests that show synthetic oil can provide adequate protection for over 200K miles if it is filtered properly. Every single aspect (which there are many) of what oil provides your engine is better in synthetic oil, including how long you can use the oil before contamination is a problem. The most important difference is the pour rate. This one aspect is the biggest contributor to engine ware. This is how long it takes the oil to reach vital parts of the engine during start-up (especially when cold). You wouldn

 

[EDGE]

I know some guys who change their M1 every 1500-2500 miles, they think they drive hard, I drive harder, they don't listen I've tried

 

[EDGE]

Jet engines also burn out the oil, so everytime they land and they refill with fuel their actually adding a mixture of gas and fuel like a chainsaw, Im not thinking right now but thats a 2 stroke engine