Oil changes for high end mileage.

[Auce]

I try to do my best to keep my 4runner in good shape. When it comes to oil, is oil just oil? Does OEM oil and filters make a big difference? A few years back I could always find coupons for a 29$-39$ oil change, now they are 69$ upwards. I saw a local service special for an Oil change, tire rotation, alignment, multipoint inspection and fluid top off for 189$. I DO need an alignment and tire rotation. Service prices and labor seem to have jumped as everything else has in price.

I don't have the tools or space to do the oil change on my own and like I said, I'll need an alignment and tire rotation.

 

[Pyral]

Don't bother buying OEM oil filters or oil, as long as whatever you get meets the API ratings that are laid out in the owners manual you'll be fine. These differences between certain brands only matter in lab testing, the frequency at which you change them matters more.

Usually oil change places will give you whatever they have unless you provide them with something else. They aren't going to stock 5 different brands of 5w, so prepare to get oil beforehand.

The tools required to do an oil change are tools you should have anyway. Just a 14mm socket (or is it 12 mm), and a catch basin. You don't even have to jack the vehicle. I would change the oil change in my dorms parking lot, its not that bad.

 

[3bears]

some things are a difference of pennies. Example....if i buy a yota yzdd3 filter ( the bigger filter for these rigs) its at max about 2 bucks more. If I order a bunch when ordering parts for other jobs...( from yota) price comes down even more...not far from after market. there is a thread out here on this forum that a guy cut a lot of the yota and after market filters apart....that one convinced me i will stick with yota..and I wont let a fram oil filter touch my rig.
Somewhat related...when I buy in bulk...i can get a yota air filter for less than
quality aftermarket. fuel filters can be about the same price as aftermarket....and they fit correct....side note..not all local dealers on this...and my local...and only dealer within 300 miles ...is a thief...select market,,,so I order on line and ship and still beat his price a bunch

 

[Bad Luck]

I prefer Toyota oil filters. I buy a dozen when I place an online order so they usually are cheaper than aftermarket options. Please don’t use fram oil filters. They are pathetic and insufficient at filtering oil. I change my oil every 3500 miles. Yes, you can run engine oil for longer than that but changing your engine oil more frequently is a lot cheaper than engine repairs. I just did valve cover gaskets and the valve train looked pristine from frequent oil changes. If you are going to use cheap engine oil then change it more frequently.

Edit: I get free engine oil from work so frequent oil changes don’t affect me or my wallet.

 

[pluton]

OEM oil (last I checked, a few years ago) is ordinary Mobil Group 2 (not claimed to be synthetic). Therefore, there's no particular reason to buy oil in bottles labeled 'Toyota'.
The OEM Toyota oil filters, in the total world of oil filters, are pretty good. Bought at discount, they're quite a bit cheaper than the "high end" filters like Mobil 1 and K&N.
If you use an oil change place, check the oil level---and all of their work--- before you drive off the lot.

 

[T4Rscott]

I’ve been using Supertech in my Toyotas, I have an 18 RAV, 02 and 09 Camrys and my 994R.

I agree with others, that you need to stick with OEM filters on the 4R. I’ve cut open a few and none compare for the price, especially bought in bulk.

Look up Bobistheoilguy.com lots of good info.

Scott

 

[ReconcileUs]

I use Valvoline semi synthetic oil from Walmart or Menards. I use Purolator filters on my 4Runner, but for my 2 other Toyotas I use OEM. I bought a pack of 12 Purolator filters for $40 like 3 years ago and I still haven't ran out out filters. Purolator is proven to be quality, by people cutting them open. OEM is good. Supertech filters are also good. Don't use Fram, although Fram does have a grade of filters that are free of their paper and glue BS.

Before the supply chain issues, Toyota oil filters from the dealer were reasonably priced. Now, that's changed a little. Compare prices.

 

[suaveflooder]

Buy what you can for as cheap as you can find it. These engines aren’t going anywhere. I’m using pennzoil currently as it is the cheapest available for me. Just be consistent.

 

[gamefreakgc]

The bad news is you're going to get a dozen or more different opinions on what oil to run. The good news is that we all run something different when it comes to oil and all of our engines are going strong, same goes with filters. These engines are easy on oil and can be abused and still run.

The hard part of changing your oil without trash or pickup service is what to do with the used oil. You might have a drop-off site near you, you might not.

 

[96RedRunner]

For getting rid of used oil check local auto parts stores oil change places
Oreilly autozone jiffy lube all take my used oil. I store in 5 gal gas can when full I hit up one of several around me.

 

[PlutosT4r]

You've been answered on the oil question (has been asked before), so let me offer this instead. I was in your shoes just 3 years ago. Thought I didn't have enough space, or a flat enough space, or couldn't possibly afford the tools. The valvoline guys and gals kept saying, "nah, you wouldn't want to do it yourself, the skid plate is a PITA". The skid plate takes < 1 minute to remove, maybe two minutes to put back. You don't even have to remove the skid plate.

I know you weren't asking this, but oil changes is how I broke that barrier and got into DIY'ing. I'm at the point now where I'm doing my own electrical work on the truck... so to think just 3 years ago I was too scared to change my oil makes me smile.

 

[Auce]

You've been answered on the oil question (has been asked before), so let me offer this instead. I was in your shoes just 3 years ago. Thought I didn't have enough space, or a flat enough space, or couldn't possibly afford the tools. The valvoline guys and gals kept saying, "nah, you wouldn't want to do it yourself, the skid plate is a PITA". The skid plate takes < 1 minute to remove, maybe two minutes to put back. You don't even have to remove the skid plate.

I know you weren't asking this, but oil changes is how I broke that barrier and got into DIY'ing. I'm at the point now where I'm doing my own electrical work on the truck... so to think just 3 years ago I was too scared to change my oil makes me smile.

THIS is where I want to be, I'm not terribly savy with a wrench, and my rig is my only rig and my daily driver so I suppose I always had a fear of breaking something, but what other way will I ever learn.

 

[PlutosT4r]

THIS is where I want to be, I'm not terribly savy with a wrench, and my rig is my only rig and my daily driver so I suppose I always had a fear of breaking something, but what other way will I ever learn.

You should be afraid of someone else breaking something. I'm learning that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Have faith in yourself. The 20 year old at valvoline does not care about your truck as much as you do. Relevant to your OP, I remember first tackling my oil change because the shop wouldn't use the synthetic oil I researched and brought in.

 

[pluton]

Before the supply chain issues, Toyota oil filters from the dealer were reasonably priced. Now, that's changed a little. Compare prices.

Since the supply chain issues, Toyota has changed back to the Made In USA oil filters, but the price remains cheap at $4.18 at a local online parts dept.

 

[Auce]

You should be afraid of someone else breaking something. I'm learning that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Have faith in yourself. The 20 year old at valvoline does not care about your truck as much as you do. Relevant to your OP, I remember first tackling my oil change because the shop wouldn't use the synthetic oil I researched and brought in.

Plutos, you're spot on again. If I break something, I'll need to learn how to fix it on my own too. Win win.

 

[gamefreakgc]

You should be afraid of someone else breaking something. I'm learning that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Have faith in yourself. The 20 year old at valvoline does not care about your truck as much as you do. Relevant to your OP, I remember first tackling my oil change because the shop wouldn't use the synthetic oil I researched and brought in.

Unless you overtorque the drain plug. It does help to have a friend there for the first time that's done it before or at the very least a click-type torque wrench with the drain plug spec (assuming the last person didn't already strip the threads).