Oil change intervals

[bmg88201]

Im getting a new Tacoma and this will be my first vehicle that uses full synthetic oil. They will change the oil every 10,000 miles for three years. But it’s hard to imagine going 10,000 miles on oil even though it’s synthetic. I’m old school and my thinking is I could change it at 5,000 and then they change it at 10,000 etc. Then after the three years of free oil changes I would then change it every, say 7,000. Is my thinking wrong?

 

[seville009]

I use full synthetic oil; change at 10,000 miles. I do courier work and put 10,000 miles on each month.

The label on the oil container even says 10,000.

No issues.

In the end, of course, change it at whatever interval you are comfortable with.

 

[bmg88201]

I also tried to find out who makes Toyota oil, I know they don’t refine their own oil. What I read was Mobil 1 is the oil they sell as Toyota oil. I guess my OCD is showing it’s ugly head, lol. Oh

 

[Roadworthy]

Read your owner's manual. It will give suggested distances between changes. You don't have to go that far, consider it a maximum and change sooner if desired. Of course you should check oil level periodically between changes to get an idea whether the car uses any. With today's lighter viscosity oils you may find yourself using a quart or two between changes.

 

[scootr]

For what it's worth. I bought a F250 with 5.3 gas motor in 2004.
I changed the synthetic oil every 10k miles. Once went 15k miles. I know this flies in the face of good mechanical practice but....
I drove it 150k miles pulling gooseneck horse trailer etc. and sold to a friend who hauls cars to shows still.
Basically I changed oil 12-13 times in 150k miles vs every 3k miles = 50 times. At $70 a change I saved about $3k
Not saying you should do this - but it worked

 

[ericm979]

Read your owner's manual. It will give suggested distances between changes.

Most owners manuals have two maintenance schedules. Most people assume that they fall under the regular schedule but if you read what determines the severe duty schedule, most people actually fall under that.

I follow the severe duty schedule. But I'm also not putting on a lot of miles, so even if I change every 5k miles it's not that often.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Mine has 240,000 miles. I add and keep the oil topped off. Check it every few months. It's probably needing to be changed. I've never changed it. Just drove it 2 1/2 hours one way, two trips back to back, helping someone move, pulling a 16' trailer. I guess if it'll do that, then it's still good. If I don't wreck it, I plan on hitting 500,000 miles in it. Last one is still here and still runs, but I hit two deer 8 days apart and smacked it up pretty good, so I parked it. I was lucky and a fella paid me to change oil in his generator at a farm. It had only ran once a week for 30 min for a year. So I took a clean 5 gal bucket and cleaned oil pan good so I could save the oil. It was still clean. So I'm good on top off oil for a good while now. My lawn mower cuts maybe 8 acres when I cut it all around here. 22 years, still runs like a top, no smoke, has the oil that was in there when I got it 22 years ago. Pull out the stick, still clean oil.

 

[JJT]

Like you I was a skeptic at 10K mile oil changes back in 2003 when I bought my first Honda. I did used oil analysis at 5K, 8K and 10K, all came back with no wear metals and plenty of additive package life, remaining, even the 10K sample. Bearings and build quality have dramatically increased since the days of the 3K mile oil change. You'll be fine, do a $25 used oil analysis if you need quantitative proof. Money well spent. I've used Cat and Blackstone with good experience.

 

[seville009]

Mine has 240,000 miles. I add and keep the oil topped off. Check it every few months. It's probably needing to be changed. I've never changed it. Just drove it 2 1/2 hours one way, two trips back to back, helping someone move, pulling a 16' trailer. I guess if it'll do that, then it's still good. If I don't wreck it, I plan on hitting 500,000 miles in it. Last one is still here and still runs, but I hit two deer 8 days apart and smacked it up pretty good, so I parked it. I was lucky and a fella paid me to change oil in his generator at a farm. It had only ran once a week for 30 min for a year. So I took a clean 5 gal bucket and cleaned oil pan good so I could save the oil. It was still clean. So I'm good on top off oil for a good while now. My lawn mower cuts maybe 8 acres when I cut it all around here. 22 years, still runs like a top, no smoke, has the oil that was in there when I got it 22 years ago. Pull out the stick, still clean oil.

How about the filters though? Have you ever changed those?

 

[Thomas]

Our GMC pickup every 7.000 miles but keep eye on dip stick.

 

[scootr]

Neighbor has a 30 hp L series Kubota. Bought it new 20 years ago. I asked if he does his own oil changes. He said he never changed the oil

 

[RalphVa]

I have a 2005 Tacoma and do not drive it more than 1k/yr. So, I go multiple years on each M1 0w20 oil change. (Yeah, the oil cap says 5w30, but 0w20 wasn't made then. I just use 0w20 in all 3 vehicles.) Oil never looks dirty.

Had a VW TDI for nearly 7 years. Went 10k on oil changes on it and also on our Mazda3 since 2016. However, we're not putting enough miles on either the 3 nor the Miata now. So, I'm going multiple years on their M1 0w20 oil changes. Strangly enough, the Miata and the Tacoma 2.7 L take the same oil filter.

Synthetic can go 15-20k miles and multiple years.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

How about the filters though? Have you ever changed those?

Yes I do. That is the important part.

 

[bmg88201]

Thanks for all the input. I’m a creature of habit and a bit of a dinosaur. I pick up my truck tomorrow. Anyway after the free oil changes are over with, I’ll change it every 7,000 miles and I’ll keep an eye on the dip stick like I always do. I’ll feel good about that interval.

 

[Robin Veerman]

Change the engine oil early at 1500 miles or so. Next one at 10000 on the odometer. Then every 10 on the odo, 20, 30, 40… easy peasy. Change the axles and transfer case oils at the first 20 then at 50, 100… I’ve been driving Tacoma trucks since 1985 and can’t drive anything else. The best there is. Most of mine went over 500kms (Canada) commercial use and one I sold went 770kms when I lost track of it. All manual 4x4 trucks and Amsoil in each one, every lube location front to back…

 

[oosik]

I have a 2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon (aka - Taco Wagon ). It uses that new full synthetic oil. I'm also "old school". Oil & filter change every 5000 miles.

 

[tomplum]

The best advice on a new ride is to check and see what the techs say. Whether that be at the service counter of the dealership, checking you tube re engine failures for your particular engine. Sounds strange, but there are good techs that put info out there.

 

[Robin Veerman]

I have a 2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon (aka - Taco Wagon ). It uses that new full synthetic oil…

Full synthetic oil has been around since the early ‘70s. I’ve been using full synthetic since around 1990 or so. What’s so “new” about the oil for your truck?

 

[tomplum]

It's that new chipotle scented oil! Couldn't resist....

 

[5030]

My ongoing philosophy about oil and oil filters is simply, they are the least expensive items to change / renew on any engine so I change them regularly. Much better to run clean fresh oil and good filters than not change to oil and have it loose it's boundary lubrication aspects and wind up rebuilding a motor because it spun an insert bearing. Most engines today (except some motorcycle engines) use insert bearings and they require constant boundary lubrication ( oil film on the bearing surfaces) or they will fail.

Oil and filters are the cheapest things you will ever change. besides, you can recycle used oil in a waste oil burner or use it as an accelerant to start your burn pile...lol

My old boss (before I retired) leased a new Chrysler Pacifica and never changed or even checked the oil. Just prior to the turn in date, the engine spun a bearing and the engine had to be replaced as the collateral damage from the bearing ate the crank, tossed a rod and put a nice hole in the block, all avoidable by just changing the oil and renewing the oil filter.