Oil... dealer says i have choice on synthetic or synthetic with additives

[4RunnerTrail]

Dropped 4Runner off this am. Dealer says i have choice of full synthetic or synthetic with additives. $80 vs. $50. also still recommends oil change every 5k miles. I had synthetic in my bmw m3 and changed every 15k miles. come on. Also the light is gong to go off every 5k miles how can i disable so i don't have to go to dealer every 5k miles.

 

[Jesse1983]

I didn't think there was a choice. I'll stay full synthetic every 10,000. You should have received a letter that said the same. You can't stop the light from coming on every 5,000 though.

 

[mpaquette]

Dropped 4Runner off this am. Dealer says i have choice of full synthetic or synthetic with additives. $80 vs. $50. also still recommends oil change every 5k miles. I had synthetic in my bmw m3 and changed every 15k miles. come on. Also the light is gong to go off every 5k miles how can i disable so i don't have to go to dealer every 5k miles.

This is exactly why I like to do my own oil changes. It's not that difficult and it give me peace of mind. You never know what kind of crap the dealer is going to pull or what they are really putting in your engine.

According the latest service schedule that you can download from Toyota Owners Online | Official Toyota Owners Website, oil changes are 10,000 miles or 12 months. Synthetic 0W-20 is recommended. They give some circumstances where 5k changes are appropriate, i.e. lots of short trips during cold weather, excessive time spent idling, etc.

 

[IceNomad]

I got my oil changed last week and asked the dealer about the every 5K or the 10K as indicated by toyota. They said to still do it every 5K, but I figure it is since they want the business.

Also, I asked them about changing the frequency of the light to 10K so I don't have to drive around with it on and they said they could not change it. I hope I get someone different next oil change that can change the frequency for me. Pretty dumb if Toyota changes the frequency and cannot reprogram the informational light.

 

[4RBob]

it's pretty easy to turn off the oil change light yourself.

 

[harper7]

How to reset maint. Light

Also the light is gong to go off every 5k miles how can i disable so i don't have to go to dealer every 5k miles.

Link to rest 5000 mile Maint. light.
It's in the Manual.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/60178-resetting-maint-reqd-light.html#post498664

 

[captainnemojr]

I think I'll still do my first oil change at 5K just to get out any engine shavings which may be there. I did check the owner's website, and it now says 10K intervals in the scheduled maintenance guide--still no letter yet...

 

[mpaquette]

I think I'll still do my first oil change at 5K just to get out any engine shavings which may be there. I did check the owner's website, and it now says 10K intervals in the scheduled maintenance guide--still no letter yet...

That's the route I'm thinking of going. 10k seems like a long time for a first oil change. I'm thinking of changing at 5k, then 10k and then every 10k after that.

 

[Gstick]

I haven't recieved any letter from Toyota about oil changes.

Does anyone know (for certain) if the Toyota Factory uses "dinosaur oil", or "full synthetic", before our 4R's arrive here in the states ?

I need to know because my dealer claims that they will put in "dino" oil on my 1st oil change, and I have heard that it isn't good to switch back, if it has had synthetic already in it.

 

[bergx7]

1. Toyota factory oil is a 0W20 "Synthetic Toyota Genuine Motor Oil." You should stick with that for future changes or pick up a similar synthetic 0W20 product like Mobil 1 0W20 if you are doing changes on your own (as a side note, the filter on our toyotas is hard to get on and off unless you have a special tool so I buy my own Mobil 1 and bring it to the dealer who does the change for $20 including the filter)

2. You can go anywhere from 5k miles to 10k+ depending on your driving conditions.

3. If your dealer is trying to tell you there is a synthetic with additives and one without, please pm or email me their information as they are not telling the truth and I would be interested in having a conversation with them about their claims...

 

[westwind77]

I buy my own Mobil 1 and bring it to the dealer who does the change for $20 including the filter)

So, is that about saving money or the ability for you to use Mobil 1?

 

[bergx7]

So, is that about saving money or the ability for you to use Mobil 1?

You can save money over the dealership's product (which may or may not even be the official Toyota motor oil) depending on how much your dealership charges for a synthetic oil change (6.5 quarts are needed).

I hunt around at Autozone, etc where they occasionally have 5 quarts of Mobil 1 plus a filter for $30 (they don't make the cartridge type filter that we need for our 2010 4Runners so I just grab a filter that I can use for one of the other family cars).

Additionally, Mobil has various promotions run throughout the year with mail in rebates

Mobil 1 Promotions - Save on Store Purchases and Oil Changes

Overall my cost per change is about $63 (not including any promotions that are running) but I also get a free oil filter out of it for one of my other cars.

I am sure other oil companies (Castrol, Pennzoil, etc) offer similar savings if you prefer one brand over another.

 

[westwind77]

You can save money over the dealership's product (which may or may not even be the official Toyota motor oil) depending on how much your dealership charges for a synthetic oil change (6.5 quarts are needed).

I am curious to see what they charge for my 1st change. I liken what you are doing to someone bringing their own food to a restaurant and having them cook it for you because you think their food is too expensive. People usually don't like that, although there are restaurants out there that allow you to do that, usually with fish though. I guess if your dealership does not mind then you are all set. Do you watch them do your change? Are you sure they dont 'pocket' your oil and give you the 'junk' oil?

 

[Ryan_S]

:snacker:

 

[bergx7]

I am curious to see what they charge for my 1st change. I liken what you are doing to someone bringing their own food to a restaurant and having them cook it for you because you think their food is too expensive. People usually don't like that, although there are restaurants out there that allow you to do that, usually with fish though. I guess if your dealership does not mind then you are all set. Do you watch them do your change? Are you sure they dont 'pocket' your oil and give you the 'junk' oil?

LOL yes sometimes I watch but more out of interest than suspicion. I didn't mean to suggest that the dealership oil is junk. Any oil they have that is 0W20 is going to be at the very least a semi-synthetic and is probably a high quality name brand bulk product. However, rather than wonder what they are using (sometimes the guys up front don't know), I would just as soon save a few bucks and know what is going in there every time. It is purely a personal preference.

On a side note, it is actually very common at most dealerships and quick lubes for people to bring their own oil (although the restaurant comment is funny and not entirely untrue!).

 

[Vanuatoo]

What is the operating range for 0w-20 oil?

Will it be good in 113 F (40C)?