2023 Tundra Oil Change Interval

So finally got some time to post the oil analysis, it's been a crazy week. Anyway, as you can see everything is within spec. That said, the analysis only reinforces what I've been concerned about, which is fuel dilution. I'm a prime target for it. Most usage is trips to store (5 miles or less), occasional longer drives, and roughly monthly towing of 8000# travel trailer. They do state that the 0.5% fuel dilution is harmless (and at that level it is) but this oil only had 6 months and 1,324 miles on it. For anyone else who has a similar use case to mine, I think you'd be nuts to be doing 10k OCI, but to each their own.

 

Right, but the oil had 87% life remaining by a 10k mile OCI. So in only 13% of the recommended oil life usage, he is 1/4 the way to max fuel dilution. In other words 5,000 miles will have him at 2% fuel in oil if the trend continues.

 

Yes, what AZBoatHauler said.

 

Flashpoint already out of spec at 1,300 miles use is, as the kids say, cray cray.

 

Yep, that as well. Due to fuel dilution most likely.

 

Yes, a bunch of 87 octane in there isn’t going to help.

 

91 actually, but same result. Since I rarely get through a tank before my next tow, I only run non-ethanol premium.

 

Thanks for taking the time to share your report. Interesting data.

 

@4genRunner,

I think I read a post somewhere here that some dude would just take his truck out for a long drive after a weekend of his wife taking short trips in it to get that water out. Maybe consider the same? I enjoy driving my truck so that's not an issue.

 

I already do effectively the same in a different way. The truck is a hangar queen and I’ll be the first to admit my use case is NOT average. 1-2 short trips per week, then an hour+ each way heavy tow and/or trip to nearest large city (also an hour+ each way) monthly. For reference the oil sent off for analysis was changed out just before a tow trip, so would have been at the tail end of a month of short trips.

 

I am just going to rock my first oil change at 500 miles and then do next one at 5000 miles. And then every 5000 miles after that. Rotating the tires every oil change. Just makes it easier to track and worth the money doing it the right way.

 

Hey Ted, I have heard that too that modern engines with turbo chargers and intercoolers are prone to higher levels of aluminum and potassium due to the brazing flux used but I am not sure why you would see an increase after the second oil change. You would think those levels would be dropping rather than increasing. A increase in potassium (in this case twenty fold) can also be linked to coolant contamination issues as are sodium and molybdenum which also went up slightly in the second analysis.

I am sure this is all normal as Blackstone have seen this hundreds if not thousands of times but I would keep my eye out on that potassium. I sure enjoy seeing the scientific approach you are taking towards your new Tundra ownership, keep it up!

 

May I ask...

What can Blackstone possibly tell you guys that will offer any value or actionable information?

You're changing oil at 5k miles regardless, which is pretty foolproof.

Then if engine blows up for whatever (bearings) reason, you'll get it fixed under warranty and then probably sell the truck...

So what's the point of Blackstone tests so early in trucks life?

 

It’s like a paternity test.

 

I’m with ya. Always wondered the thought process spending money to see if you should change the oil when the testing costs same amount as the cost to change the oil.

 

What’s with the crazy fuel levels and low flashpoint?? 1.8% fuel in only 1600 miles?? Yikes.

 

Some possible reasons below;

- piece of mind,
- early warning of possible problems,
- paper trail (evidence),
- help determine your own oil change intervals depending on your own driving characteristics and location.
- it's your truck and your money so you can do what you want.

 

God bless the USA. Oil at Costco is $3.09/quart and I can get OEM filters for $6.

 

Where you get the filters from? That’s a good deal.

 

Sparks.


forgot where I was for a sec - $7 for 3rd gen.
https://www.sparksparts.com/oem-parts/toyota-genuine-toyota-oil-filter-9091510010

 

Know I'm going to get a lot of pushback on this one but every 3500 miles for me. Oil is cheap, Penzoil platnium 1,25 gallon is 25 dollars. Pull out the dirty oil and put clean oil in takes minutes and will help out with wear on the small engine and turbo's. These engines are under extreme forces. lubrication and cooling are essential. I do not change the oil filter every change. Keep in mind if the oil filter is supposed to last 5000 or 10,000 miles and you take out the oil every 3500 miles it should be ok changing it out every 7,000 miles. I listed to the master engine builder from nissan racning who said to change the oil more frequently to extend engine life. So I do. So far have never wore out an engine. Kid

 

What about 0W-20 vs. 5W-30... Does that affect OCI?

 

Snapped some nipples yesterday, rather routine these days.

 

I think all those are good reasons. I'd add that I think someone on this forum had some proactive work done under warranty by Toyota based on lab results. I think If I took a Blackstone report to the local Ford dealer they'd look at me like I had three heads and ask for the next customer. .

You could probably make the case to have a test done just prior to the car leaving warranty in the hope of catching something before you're not covered?

Me, I'm not going to test. I'll change every 5k and if it blows up it blows up.

 

lol your truck is not going to blow up with 5k oil changes just like it wont blow up at 10k oil chnages, the only difference i see is the use of ester based PAO oils. I run Motul in my car so I would think that would be awesome to use these type PAO oils in our trucks.

 

I've been exchanging the transmission fluid on all of my WS filled Toyota transmissions every 50,000 miles. WS is not lifetime fluid, regardless of what Toyota used to say.

 

Do what you feel comfortable with, Toyota & Nissan Engine Engineers (retired) have said to go no more than 3K, they recommended every 3K. Check out the Car Care Nut and Ford Boss Me youtube channels, these guys know what they are talking about, one said no more than 5K highway driving, 3K if your just doing city driving, stop and go. But you do you.

 

3k OCI is a little much for me using full synthetic. Doesn't mean it's wrong as it's all subjective, but I don't want to crawl under my truck every 3k. Every 10k is way too long and 5k OCI is easy to remember. Set my trip to zero and once I hit 4500 I start planning for an evening/weekend to knock it out.

 

How did he take that many samples without being low on oil

 

any issue shipping the sample from Canada to us? Who did you use?

can’t remember if I asked or not, but how tight was the filter from the factory? Daughters Elantra was easy peasy, but my frontier not so much. I think Nissan employs King Kong to factory instal filters