Synthetic oil: how long do you go between changes?
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doofenshmirtz
New member
I've been doing about 7500 miles or 8 months. Just changed mine at 172,000, and I've been doing the 7500 interval since about 148,000.
That being said, my understanding is that sending off an oil sample is the smartest way to find out. Run 5,000 miles, send a sample. If it turns out good, go 6,000, repeat until you feel the peace of mind is more valuable than the extra miles on your oil change interval.
All things considered, I get napa/valvoline 5w-30 for like $8.00 a quart, plus a filter for $8-14. For $60 doing it myself, I don't see the reward in trying to push any further than I'm doing currently. 3 oil changes every 2 years.
That being said, my understanding is that sending off an oil sample is the smartest way to find out. Run 5,000 miles, send a sample. If it turns out good, go 6,000, repeat until you feel the peace of mind is more valuable than the extra miles on your oil change interval.
All things considered, I get napa/valvoline 5w-30 for like $8.00 a quart, plus a filter for $8-14. For $60 doing it myself, I don't see the reward in trying to push any further than I'm doing currently. 3 oil changes every 2 years.
The Yin
Member
about every 6 months, maybe 5k to 6k miles
I've been using the 'Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage' the last year or 2. It runs about 25$ at Walmart for 5 qt.
I try to change every 6 months anyway, but sometimes that could be over 6k miles if I've been driving more. I figure why not pay the few bucks more for an oil that say it's good for 15k. If for some reason I end up going 8 or 9k without changing, I don't have to worry to much.
I've been using the 'Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage' the last year or 2. It runs about 25$ at Walmart for 5 qt.
I try to change every 6 months anyway, but sometimes that could be over 6k miles if I've been driving more. I figure why not pay the few bucks more for an oil that say it's good for 15k. If for some reason I end up going 8 or 9k without changing, I don't have to worry to much.
Does the Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage actually help? I was reading on this forum that the high mileage stuff doesn't actually make a difference and don't waste your money. I went to Walmart this past weekend and saw that its basically the same price as the regular Mobil 1 full synthetic blend so I'm considering giving it a try on my next change.
The Yin
Member
I've never noticed any performance change. And I haven't had any testing done on the oil. So I couldn't say if it's worth it. But as you mentioned, the high millage is the same cost, and the Extended performance is only 3 bucks more (online at least) for the 5 qt. So $6 a year isn't gona bother me to much. I've got just over 130k miles, so if the 6 bucks helps get me smoothly to 260k, I'm cool with that.
Seymore Butts
New member
High mileage oil is not intended to improve performance. For me, the important part of the additives in high mileage oil is the gasket conditioner. The intent is to keep seepage and leaks from happening as our aging gaskets dry out, shrivel, and harden.
Does it work? I don't know for sure. My last two vehicles had 167K and 225K respectively, and there was never a single drop of oil seeping outside the engine. My current 4R is also squeaky clean under the hood. Whether this was due to the gasket conditioner or simply good gasket material is impossible to say for sure, but I like the peace of mind I get from high mileage oil.
kingofthehill
New member
I do 10,000 mile OCI with mobil one EP synthetic. I also use their filter. I send samples to blackstone and my oil reports show that I have more life left still. Oil has gotten a lot better and you can go longer when taking the proper precautions like using a quality filter that will last as long, testing your oil, and using a high quality oil.
synthetic oil every 5k or so for me. im friends with some guys at the local midas and they have the synthetic oil/filter/fluid top off for $54...
i have my own garage and have done oil changes in the past but use the logic that for not going out to buy oil, no labor/cleanup/disposal...ill pay the $10 - $20 over cost of buying supplies for DIY.
i have my own garage and have done oil changes in the past but use the logic that for not going out to buy oil, no labor/cleanup/disposal...ill pay the $10 - $20 over cost of buying supplies for DIY.
^This. There are so many factors to oil life that there is no rule of thumb as to how long you can extend an oil drain interval past the manufacture's recommendation. Either get oil analysis done using your preferred synthetic oil to determine an acceptable drain interval, or stick with what Toyota recommends.
I personally rotate between Pennzoil Ultra 5W-30 (can be had for about $18 Canadian for a 5L jug after rebates) in the summer, and Mobil 1 0W-30 in the winter (0W allows the best cold flow and pumpability for winter while maintaining the 30 viscosity when the engine warms up). I don't extend the drain intervals, just stick with what Toyota recommends. The use of synthetic is just for peace of mind and better cold flow during winters.
derekdevasia
New member
I go 12,000-15,000 miles every oil change. I'm doing almost 95 percent highway commuting, never had an issue. Been doing this with Mobil 1 synthetic, and the OEM filter for nearly 150,000 miles. Just replaced my valve cover gaskets two weeks ago, and everything is sludge free and clean.
The engine is getting ready to push to 250,000 in the next week or so. Classic v8's. Girlfriend's 97 4runner gets Mobil 1 synthetics every 10k, and she's pushing 330,000.
The engine is getting ready to push to 250,000 in the next week or so. Classic v8's. Girlfriend's 97 4runner gets Mobil 1 synthetics every 10k, and she's pushing 330,000.
Aside from having no sludge, were you able to verify there was no premature wear in the rod bearings? How about the cam lobes?
What about the oil? Were you able to verify the oil additive pack was still sufficient to protect your engine? How about verifying the oil still had a 30 viscosity and didn't sheer down to a 20 weight?
This is the danger of listening to posts on the internet or making blind assumptions that just because you haven't had any "issues" YET... doesn't mean you aren't causing premature engine wear by extending your oil change intervals past Toyota's recommendations. Oil and oil analysis is cheap, engine repairs are not. An oil analysis would be able to tell you if the oil's additive pack is still sufficient, any premature wear is happening (ex. excessive lead in the oil), and if your oil is sheering. I will never understanding blindly assuming you can extend your drain intervals by 7000 miles because you don't hear a knock from the engine yet just to save $18. Once you DO notice a problem it's too late.
This is not an attack on you derekdevasia but others should not follow your oil change regiment just because your engine hasn't blown up yet. That's as reckless as telling someone "It's been 200,000 miles since I changed my timing belt and I haven't had any issues yet. My wife's 02 has been pushing 250,000 miles on her timing belt without issues!"
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codeman528
Member
AMSOIL 5W-30 every 5k miles over here!
Inv4drZm
Senior Member
He never recommended to anyone to do what he is doing. He simply posted what he does like everyone else has been.
BTW I've seen a timing belt explode well under the 100k mark and some are fine at 200k so I don't think that comparison is accurate. There can be defective timing belts, but you can't really screw up an oil change.
I go 7500-10k per change. Have been synthetic since the very first oil change. But now I maybe only drive 5k per year, so it might be less. I get it done once a year - or so.
If I was driving daily, I'd do 10k or maybe 15k. You don't need to change it as often as the dealer/oil companies like to tell you.
If I was driving daily, I'd do 10k or maybe 15k. You don't need to change it as often as the dealer/oil companies like to tell you.
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