What mileage first oil change?
- Thread starter Martin8
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dingo
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My first oil change was around 1400. I had the stealer do it to loosen that factory oil filter. Apparently, Toyota uses gorillas to install them with like a thousand pounds of torque. Filled with dino oil. Did all subsequent oil changes myself and switching to Mobil 1 syn next change and installing Fumoto valve! 
dingo
New member
Martin8 said:
Ah, there are countless arguements and threads on when to switch from dino to syn. A search will yield many threads. I guess it all comes down to preference. A general consensus (though not be taken as gold) is if you're going to keep your vehicle and want it to last then syn is the way to go. I plan to keep my runner for a long time, that's the main basis for my switch. Added to that, I can't wait to see how much smoother and cooler I've heard it will run with syn in it. Just been raining like crazy here in SF, can't get to it right now.
Baba Booey
New member
I did my first change at ~1,000 miles, the second change at ~3,000 miles, and I will do another change at 5,000 miles. At 5,000 miles, I plan on switching over to Mobil Clean 7500 (semi-synthetic) from the dino Havoline 5W-30 that I am using now. Then at 10,000 I will switch to full synthetic. Right now, I am thinking about trying the new Mobil 1 Truck & SUV 5W-30 at 10K miles. If my projections hold, I should have the full syn in for the upcoming winter months.
I installed a Fumoto valve during my last change, so my next change at 5K should be super-easy.
EDIT:
In the interest of full disclosure, I am not an engineer, auto tech, tribologist, or anything like that. I have seen some people who advise switching to syn immediately, and others who suggest waiting until 10,000 miles or more. I figure the conventional oil isn't hurting anything, so why take the risk (if there is any) of switching over too soon.
I believe there is an old (1997 or so) advisory from Toyota floating around on the forum somewhere that recommends waiting until at least the first scheduled change before switching to syn. Depending on who wrote it (engineers vs. business-types), it may or may not be worth the paper it is written on.
I installed a Fumoto valve during my last change, so my next change at 5K should be super-easy.
EDIT:
In the interest of full disclosure, I am not an engineer, auto tech, tribologist, or anything like that. I have seen some people who advise switching to syn immediately, and others who suggest waiting until 10,000 miles or more. I figure the conventional oil isn't hurting anything, so why take the risk (if there is any) of switching over too soon.
I believe there is an old (1997 or so) advisory from Toyota floating around on the forum somewhere that recommends waiting until at least the first scheduled change before switching to syn. Depending on who wrote it (engineers vs. business-types), it may or may not be worth the paper it is written on.
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coolpop
New member
dingo said:My first oil change was around 1400. I had the stealer do it to loosen that factory oil filter. Apparently, Toyota uses gorillas to install them with like a thousand pounds of torque. Filled with dino oil. Did all subsequent oil changes myself and switching to Mobil 1 syn next change and installing Fumoto valve!
Ain't that the truth. Those filters are glued on there so that you HAVE to go to the dealer to get them off. I'm not a small guy by any means and I practically broke my hand and forearm trying to get that damn filter off.
I changed mine at 1500 and switched to synthetic at 10,000. I have a mechanic friend who has been a mechanic for 20 years, owns his own shop, and he told me to do it like that. Doesn't mean he's right but he knows a lot more than I do, so I just followed his recommendation.
NCSCOTT
New member
Wow!! 1000, 3000, 5000????? Seems like overkill to me. But to each thier own.
I switched at 5000. I let the factory fill run until then. Mobil 1 5W30 with an OEM V-8 Filter (p/n-90915-YZZD3) every 5000 ever since. Which some will say is also overkill.
About to do my first Blackstone lab UOA at the 50000 mile change. I will post the results after I get them back.
I plan to extend my changes after the 60k point and a couple UOAs.
I switched at 5000. I let the factory fill run until then. Mobil 1 5W30 with an OEM V-8 Filter (p/n-90915-YZZD3) every 5000 ever since. Which some will say is also overkill.
About to do my first Blackstone lab UOA at the 50000 mile change. I will post the results after I get them back.
I plan to extend my changes after the 60k point and a couple UOAs.
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Baba Booey
New member
Yeah, you're right. But after reviewing many UOAs over at BITOG, I (and some others) have determined that early and often changes up front will result in lower break-in wear metals being present in the first few UOAs. I am not saying it means anything, but I believe, on average, a UOA from my engine at 10,000 miles MAY show less wear metals than a UOA from an identical engine that had fewer oil changes at 10K miles (all other things being equal - which they never are). The early and often changes do appear to flush the wear metals out more quickly.NCSCOTT said:
My observations are NOT scientific, but it makes me feel good. :arrow:
Baba Booey
New member
desibhar said:
Your engine will likely last as long as mine will - perhaps longer. However, if by some slight chance, changing the oil early and often would result in slightly better break-in, do you believe Toyota would recommend it in the owner's manual?
Imagine if Toyota asked their new owners to change their oil four or five times within the first 10,000 miles, while Honda is recommending 10,000 mile oil changes with conventional oil on some of their new vehicles. The cost of ownership for the Toyota would be too high in comparison.
Following the owner's manual is sound advice, but it, like a lot of other things, is probably based on some compromise between what is best mechanically and what is acceptable to owners financially and convenience-wise.
For example, the 2006 owner's manual indicates that the transmission fluid never needs to be changed unless you use the vehicle for towing. Maybe the fluid would last me 300K miles, but I am not going to take the chance. I'll spend the money every three or four years and have it replaced just in case.
desibhar
New member
Baba Booey said:
I would think that Toyota would want to have people change their oil more often because the dealers make more money that way. People aren't usual deterred from buying a vehicle because of the amount of oil changes needed. I have changed my oil on my 350z every 3000 miles (as suggested by the manual), and I have had no problems whatsoever. I even turbocharged the Z, and have no problems at all with leaking oil or sluggish performance (NA or FI). My 93 camry has had no problems whatsoever, and I have changed my oil at every interval specified by the manual. To me, changing the oil more frequently than the owner manual says is wasting money. The Japanese companies do their homework with each vehicle, and put the car through strenous tests to validate the tolerances and mechanical wear patterns. If this was a domestic vehicle, I would be more wary of doing oil changes, and not trusting the manual. However, Toyota has done their homework, and they build durable and reliable cars. Changing the oil more often won't help you much on these cars. My 0.02.
If there was a problem with the way the car performs because of the intervals Toyota has for performing service, you better believe someone would complain and threaten a lawsuit. I'm sure Toyota would rather err on the side of safety to cover their ass. It gives them no benefit to make the oil change interval too long. They have a solid reputation to protect.
Planning on changing for the first time at 1k and then 3k. Castrol 5w30 for now. Especially since I have two $10 a case coupons for Pep Boys. Probably go to syn around 10k.
Switched my taco around 15k and before the switch it used to burn about a quart every 3k. Since I switched to Amsoil 0w30 I burn about a quart a year (10k miles).
Switched my taco around 15k and before the switch it used to burn about a quart every 3k. Since I switched to Amsoil 0w30 I burn about a quart a year (10k miles).
Baba Booey
New member
desibhar said:
First, let me start by saying that I do not disagree with anything you have said. However, I believe Toyota did have a 7,500 mile "normal" service OCI on many of their vehicles in the past. Then, it became apparent that some of their engines were prone to sludge if not maintained properly, so I believe they dialed back their "normal" service OCIs to 5,000 miles on most/all of their vehicles.
NCSCOTT
New member
Baba Booey said:
Both my 05 Camry and 04 4Runner owners manuals quote 5000 mile OCI. Both get M1 and OEM filters. I will also be switching to the SUV/Truck Mobil 1 with the next change on the 4Runner.
As a side note my 04 also states no Transmission fluid change needed unless towing. I also will error on the side of good judgement and have it changed every 3 years.
I think most will aggree. 3 years and 75k miles is enough on one fluid change. In my case anyway.
Baba Booey
New member
Like I said in my original post, I too will be going to 5,000 mile OCIs as soon as I hit the 5K mile mark. Even a 5K mile OCI with quality synthetic oil in a Toyota engine is probably overkill, but since I do it myself, it isn't too cost prohibitive.
In addition, it's a good selling point if I ever decide to sell the 4Runner years down the road. A well-documented maintenance schedule may net me a few more $$$ on a private party sale.
In addition, it's a good selling point if I ever decide to sell the 4Runner years down the road. A well-documented maintenance schedule may net me a few more $$$ on a private party sale.
