Oil filter change every 5k

The Toyota OEM filter is a fantastic filter.

 

Let's say a person only puts 2500 miles on their truck every year due having multiple other vehicles. I know the manual says every year or 10k but I assume toyota takes city driving or stop and go miles into consideration when saying that. Is it still best to change at 2500 miles or just wait the 10k?

 

I would never go over a year.

 

Change it for sure once a year

 

I have a 4 Runner that doesn’t get driven much. I believe the manuals say 10K or 12 months.

 

Not to belabor that point, but what could the motor do “better” on different oil? There was virtually no meaningful wear after a million miles on the dealer oil used (different dealers at times) and OEM filters. Any dealer is going to fill it with 0-20 synthetic that meets Toyota standards and drop in an OEM filter. Who knows how long that motor would have lasted... maybe 2 million miles? For perspective, if an owner drove 25,000 miles a year, it would take theM 40 years to reach a million. I guess my point is, any oil and filter that meets specs is fine. For me, at this point, my dealer is charging me $90 to change the oil every 10K miles on my 2017 Tundra and 2013 LX570. I’m still in the free changes on my 2019 Tundra and 2018 4Runner. Plus, those services are documented in the Carfax, which would seem to be reassuring to potential buyers (so maybe you get a bit extra on the trade) if you were trading it in on something new. Who knows... just my thoughts on it. .-)

 

Toyota oil filters and synthetic oil every 5k +/- 500 miles. That is what I did with my 13 DC. I am still a ways away from a oil/filter change in my 18.

 

You make a fine general point, but there are many exceptions to this. Per my point, the dealership servicing my vehicle and using their "dealer" cheap oil doesn't meet my nor many others needs and wants. For instance, many people who live in colder climates want a superior oil for the cold cranking ability and to reduce wear during that startup period (where the majority of engine wear occurs) and cheap dealership oil that meets specs doesn't quite cut it. Many people like myself live in a warmer climate but spend many parts of the year up north in severe climates so the same applies in that instance. In addition, I want to maximize my Tundra's performance, so I use Amsoil SS 0w20 and I have increased my mpg by 2mpg (whether anyone wants to believe that or not). That matters to me. For those who tow a lot, it has an impact on the oil. There are plenty of UOA's that show this specifically at BITOG. Why would I want to run an inferior oil if I tow a lot that might cause the oil to be spent before the OCI is up if I can run a superior oil that can withstand the workload during the OCI?

In addition, many owners, myself included, know how dealerships screw up servicing our vehicles and want the peace of mind to do it ourselves the correct way. Just read the horror stories concerning that on this site. I myself used the free Toyota Car oil changes and I will never do that again when I purchase my next Tundra. Why? When I went to do my first oil change after the Toyota Care ran out, the skid plate was missing bolts, the oil filter was torqued on so damn tight I had to use a breaker bar and brace my feet against a wall, and there was no crush washer on my oil pan. In those cases of changing the oil ourselves, we buy our own oil and many of us want the best; not just what meets the specs. Our needs are different than your needs and the needs of others. That is why I took issue with your blanket statement that seemed to imply (whether intentionally or not) that those of us who don't just let the dealer change our oil with the "dealer oil" are just wasting out time, effort, and money. Everyones needs and preferences are different. Simple as that.

 

I let the dealership do my first oil change since it was free. Everything was over tightened, no crush washer. I specifically told them to change the oil filter. I did my next oil at 10k and the filter/housing was dirty and had some kind of sludge in there. Never had this issue after I started doing my own.

 

I do think it’s overkill and a waste of money ultimately to use Amsoil, Royal Purple, expensive oil filters, etc. OTOH, I was that guy for a long time before I had kids. Still have some Royal Purple in my barn in fact. It gave me satisfaction to do it, and made me happy. I have no regrets. And I’m not judging anyone doing that now. I do believe it doesn’t make any difference in long term durability, but I’ve spent my money on lots worse things than over maintaining my truck. No offense intended at all. Lol.

 

I use Amsoil... and get my money's worth to the tune of 15 to 20k oil change intervals. At least, I did that from 35,000 to 150,000 miles in a gen 1 tundra. And sold it as a flawless engine getting exactly the same mpg as always and burning no oil. I used black stone to verify what I was doing and never had a bad oil report.
I'll repeat this after my warranty is up on my new truck also.
Aside from that 1,000,000 mile truck, no one else who has responded yet has presented any evidence that they are even scratching the surface of the oils potential. Sure every 5k works. But not any better than every 15 to 20k miles.
Not trying to sell anything, mobile one and royal purple are probably the same, and there are other good oil services out there. Just saying maybe you should actually check. There's gut feeling, there's what people said back in the 1950s, and then there actual science.