Who Actually Follows 10,000 mile oil change schedule?

[Biggcrisp]

3,238 dealer performed free oil change. I lubed driveshafts.

7,822 dealer performed free oil change. I lubed driveshaft.

13,343 I changed oil, lubed driveshaft, installed aux trans cooler, topped off trans fluid level.

19,800 I changed oil & lubed driveshaft.

22,459 current miles without any reliability issues.

Would be nice to see others chime in with maint. history. Especially those hitting 100k. No judgement needed. It is your ride.

 

[1000MPH]

I've changed the oil in all my vehicles at 3000 miles/3 months.
Old habit I know and with synthetics, I could easily go 10k.
I always smell the oil and if it smell gassy, it gets changed.

I consider oil to be the lifeblood of an engine and not a waste of $$ if I want to do it more often.

My '07 Runner has 80K and runs very quiet and strong. It is the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. Probably because the eng was built correctly.
I pick up my '14 Runner tomorrow. I hope it gives me the same great service.

I had a co-worker who went 85,000 miles on the factory fill. It was a Dodge mini-pickup. He bought it new in Texas and drove it out to LA where he did go-fer work for a video production company. He did this in approx 18 mos. Finally changed the oil and drove it for at least 2 more years before I lost track of him. ymmv.

 

[VTOL_Yoda]

Yep, coming up on 3 years of ownership at 48K miles... and only oil changes at 10, 20, 30, and 40K. Absolutely no issues. Love this vehicle.

 

[LI4runner]

3,238 dealer performed free oil change. I lubed driveshafts.

7,822 dealer performed free oil change. I lubed driveshaft.

13,343 I changed oil, lubed driveshaft, installed aux trans cooler, topped off trans fluid level.

19,800 I changed oil & lubed driveshaft.

22,459 current miles without any reliability issues.

Would be nice to see others chime in with maint. history. Especially those hitting 100k. No judgement needed. It is your ride.

Did anyone catch the article in C&D about manufacturer engine torture tests? Pretty amazing what engines go through prior to a production run.

How Engine Development Teams Ensure Durability ? Feature ? Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog

Also, is driveshaft lubing an item Toyota will automatically take care of upon scheduled service?

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Also, is driveshaft lubing an item Toyota will automatically take care of upon scheduled service?

It is something they should take care of, and some do, but most don't. Most people won't notice their driveshaft hasn't been greased, and the tech can save time (thus make more money) on your job by skipping that service and move on to the next one. They get paid by job, and rewarded if they finish a job early. The easiest way to do that is to skip a step or process that likely nobody will notice.

These days, you really have to do a job yourself to ensure it gets done, or gets done correctly.

Also a side note, most dealers only use 1 type (our driveshafts require 2 types) of grease on drive shafts, so even if they do grease it up, you probley won't be getting the right grease in all spots. (for example, my dealership uses moly grease on all points, which is bad for the ujoint)

 

[mogmanbrad]

First Oil Change

I have a 2015 4Runner SR5P that is not scheduled for an oil change until 10K miles. I replaced the oil and filter at 5500 miles and found the factory oil to be extremely dark and dirty looking. The new oil now has a few hundred miles and is hard to see on the dipstick when checking level. I saved a sample that I may have analyzed. Have others noticed this? Also, the dealer stated that at the 5k service, they lubed the drivetrain since they saw that I tow a trailer. Not a single grease zerk had any hint of grease.

 

[Hipsterdoofus]

I don't think I will ever believe that any oil holds up for 10k. These new long service intervals seem to be designed to turn cars over faster. And yeah, dealers can be pretty iffy at best.

 

[1engineer]

I have a 2015 4Runner SR5P that is not scheduled for an oil change until 10K miles. I replaced the oil and filter at 5500 miles and found the factory oil to be extremely dark and dirty looking. The new oil now has a few hundred miles and is hard to see on the dipstick when checking level. I saved a sample that I may have analyzed. Have others noticed this? Also, the dealer stated that at the 5k service, they lubed the drivetrain since they saw that I tow a trailer. Not a single grease zerk had any hint of grease.

Merged your thread with one of the other oil change threads.
-mod-

 

[Ruski]

I was rather surprised when I first called the dealer to schedule an appointment for an oil change at 6k mile mark. I was told the synthetic oil change needs to be done every 10k miles which was peculiar because my maintenance light was on... Coming from a tech background, changing oil every 10k miles doesn't sit well with me so once my free oil changes are up I'll be going back to changing it myself every 6K

 

[jrandom]

[MENTION=115824]Ruski[/MENTION] The maintenance light comes on every 5000 miles because there is a 5k service interval that you are supposed to rotate your tires, multi-point inspection, and grease (of course there are other items depending)

Obviously if you meet the Special Operating Conditions follow those guidelines.

If you are so concerned about your oil, save some when you change it out and send it in to Blackstone labs (or other test facility) and have it tested. For $28~ they will give you an analysis of your oil. Then you can rest well at night knowing that Toyota isn't trying to fleece you for oil changes and buying a new car every 100k because your engine wore out prematurely:

 

[cbreze]

My concern is more in regards to length of time between changes than miles on the oil. I've had my 2012 3 years next month and have 23K on the odometer. I lastly had the oil changed 4 months ago at the dealer and have driven just under 3K since. Small town living, everything outdoorsy is very close so low miles is a given for me. So is the 6months time interval a good gauge or not? I'll have maybe 4K by 6 months on the clock.
If Toyota recommends 10K or 6 months whichever comes first then I'm a bit confused as to where the strength is in the synthetics. Seems like more miles is better than less, and less is maybe harder on the oil. It is driven maybe 5 days a week on average. I bike a lot.
I have been changing it at around 8 months after about 5K miles driven. The 4x4 systems are exercised on a regular basis so not a concern, just wondering if going a full year between oil changes is not a good idea. I'm retired also, so no daily grind to work and back. 1 year =8K driven.

 

[fjc32]

I have a 2015 4Runner SR5P that is not scheduled for an oil change until 10K miles. I replaced the oil and filter at 5500 miles and found the factory oil to be extremely dark and dirty looking. The new oil now has a few hundred miles and is hard to see on the dipstick when checking level. I saved a sample that I may have analyzed. Have others noticed this? Also, the dealer stated that at the 5k service, they lubed the drivetrain since they saw that I tow a trailer. Not a single grease zerk had any hint of grease.

Walmart sells the mobile 1 5q 0-20 for $28. I change oil at 5k at my own expense after the dealer service. My cars run better with fresh oil. I think mobile 1 is slightly more responsive than Toyota synthetic.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I'm going to replace the filter at 5k miles and have the oil analyzed. If it comes back good I'll run it to 7500 miles.

I only drive about 500 miles a month so mine falls under more what I would consider severe service with lots of short trips.

 

[lilsid112]

My concern is more in regards to length of time between changes than miles on the oil. I've had my 2012 3 years next month and have 23K on the odometer. I lastly had the oil changed 4 months ago at the dealer and have driven just under 3K since. Small town living, everything outdoorsy is very close so low miles is a given for me. So is the 6months time interval a good gauge or not? I'll have maybe 4K by 6 months on the clock.
If Toyota recommends 10K or 6 months whichever comes first then I'm a bit confused as to where the strength is in the synthetics. Seems like more miles is better than less, and less is maybe harder on the oil. It is driven maybe 5 days a week on average. I bike a lot.
I have been changing it at around 8 months after about 5K miles driven. The 4x4 systems are exercised on a regular basis so not a concern, just wondering if going a full year between oil changes is not a good idea. I'm retired also, so no daily grind to work and back. 1 year =8K driven.

Synthetic Oil states yearly oil changes or 10k miles for us, not every 6 months. If you're not driving 10k year I'd suggest to do a yearly oil change.

 

[cbreze]

Synthetic Oil states yearly oil changes or 10k miles for us, not every 6 months. If you're not driving 10k year I'd suggest to do a yearly oil change.

Thanks for the comment. The dealer applied sticker always says 10K/6mo whichever comes first. Their standard response probably, which his why I didn't bother to ask them.
Anyone else putting less than 10K/yearly on their 4runners?

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Thanks for the comment. The dealer applied sticker always says 10K/6mo whichever comes first. Their standard response probably, which his why I didn't bother to ask them.
Anyone else putting less than 10K/yearly on their 4runners?

Yep. About 500 miles a month for me. The benefits of working from home - no commute.

 

[77Bronc]

I was rather surprised when I first called the dealer to schedule an appointment for an oil change at 6k mile mark. I was told the synthetic oil change needs to be done every 10k miles which was peculiar because my maintenance light was on... Coming from a tech background, changing oil every 10k miles doesn't sit well with me so once my free oil changes are up I'll be going back to changing it myself every 6K

I am a senior machinery engineer for ExxonMobil, we have oil systems that are under tremendous stress and we never change the oil unless the quarterly analysis says we have an issue...

BUT that is not how I run my stuff...in 1990 I was at one of our labs when a BMW engine that had 1 million miles with Mobil1 was disassembled and it was within original tolerance. If I am not mistaken, the oil change interval was above 10,000 miles.

I am a firm believer in Mobil1, the best oil made period. I am going to change the oil in my 2015 TP every 5000 miles like I do in all of my vehicles with the exception of my 1996 T100, I go 10,000 with it, as it is a my daily commuter. When I jump on the interstate, I drive 30 miles before I hit the first traffic light, so it is well warmed and basically all highway driving.

So my plan is at every 5000 miles, Mobil1 0W20, Toyota OEM filter, crush gasket on the oil drain plug. My truck is 2 months old and has 1500 miles on it. Air filter will be changed with the oil along with the cabin filter. I know it sounds excessive, overly excessive, but this is minor money compared to the investment.

77

 

[mnofpeace]

Hello. I am new to the forum, and I have a 2011 4runner purchased in April. My 5,000 mile appointment with the dealer is coming up soon. I have seen all of the threads talking about the oil change schedule, and I see where a lot of you change the oil yourself or pay for it to be changed at the 5,000 mile appointment. I'm wondering who actually is just getting their oil changed every 10,000 miles like the book says and their thoughts, etc. Thanks.

+1 here, thanks to some education from our beloved forum moderator 1Eng about 21st century synthetic oils...

i was a faithful 5K changer on all of my other vehicles, but after some back and forth with my man 1E, i am a believer. I went on faith with my '14 T4r, and nothing fell off, nothing exploded, nothing failed. so now im on my 2nd stint waiting to get to 40K for another 10K until changing...and truthfully, i can enjoy 2 oil changes a yr...sounds great to me.

full disclosure, the Rnnr is my sudo daily driver. i put alot less stress on it in the warmer months because i am usually on my Kawi C14 daily. Plus, i also own a trusted (shutty) F150 that i also tool around in locally to take miles off of everything else.

Depending on who's changing your oil and what oil is being used, 10K is just fine. ive even put my wife's car on a more 5-7K mileage range before changing vs. her usual quicky lube changey place 3K range who obviously just want her to keep coming back to them.

Mobil 1 synthetic "add special labeling here" for all of my vehicles...
But i do plan, as my runner gets above the 50K mark, closing that gap down to between 5-7.5K miles...just to be safe...as ill be changing my own oil by that point.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I am a senior machinery engineer for ExxonMobil, we have oil systems that are under tremendous stress and we never change the oil unless the quarterly analysis says we have an issue...

BUT that is not how I run my stuff...in 1990 I was at one of our labs when a BMW engine that had 1 million miles with Mobil1 was disassembled and it was within original tolerance. If I am not mistaken, the oil change interval was above 10,000 miles.

I am a firm believer in Mobil1, the best oil made period. ....
77

I am with you 100% on that. NOTHING goes into my vehicles, lawn mower, snow blower or anything unless it comes out of a gray bottle.

The Mobil1 oil filters historically have also scored at the top of the charts (Purolator also makes a very good oil filter). Fram sucks.

 

[willbgood]

Just wondering in the 5th gen did they do away with the dual schedule for highway vs offroad?