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.