Toyota says oil change every 10k mi

For those changing oil every 3k not only are you wasting money you are wasting oil. Why use more than needed? I guess some are just neurotic and have OCD

 

Or, some people just listen to experienced mechanics?

 

I see the 1st oil change being at 3k or 5k just to remove any possible shavings and such.... but 10K after that

 

Do mine every 8000km (5k miles)

 

For those in this thread that like to read.

 

Mechanics know how to turn wrenches. Listen to engine builders and proof.

 

I was convinced after the million mile tear down.

I've never lost an engine by following factory intervals.

The same boomer mechanics who preach 3k are either broke and need the work, hilariously out of date, or haven't rebuilt an engine since the 100k junk it era.

I think you guys should change all fluids at 1000 miles. Dont skimp on the brake fluid...and coolant. Lol

 

Fresh Oil never hurts, old oil does. Its simple.

This engine oil thread dovetails nicely into the transmission 100k mile oil change interval thread. This 100k number is based on ‘Normal Driving’ and reduces the trucks maintenance costs.

10k miles intervals are recco’d by Toyota under normal driving conditions. Define ‘normal’.

Heavy Service (which most vehicles fall under) requires shorter intervals, defined as:

1) City Driving (stop and go), or short trips where engine doesn’t get up to operating temp.

2) Tow/Haul.

3) Sustained driving in temps over 90°.

Again, do as you please with your truck. I’ll go with time tested proven Fresh Oil at short intervals versus long intervals. Engineers will not argue fresh Oil is better than old half used Oil. Mechanics the same.

So, far the only valid arguments I’ve heard against Fresh Oil at short intervals are:

A) Waste of money.

False. Its cheaper to do prevent maintenance. Assuming DIY, its very cheap insurance at about 3 changes equaling about 1 paid service shop change.

B) Waste of oil.

False. It gets recycled into heating oil. If I was worried about saving oil, then I’d have bought a used 4 cylinder and ride it into the ground.

Could I extend my intervals? Sure. Do I choose to? No, because its cheap insurance.

 

My brother-in-law had a car in college that burned about a quart of oil for every tank of gas. That's gotta be close to 5 quarts every 1000 miles, right?

I wonder if he just changed the filter every 3k miles without draining the pan. Theoretically half the oil would only have about 500 miles on it.

 

I do 5K. I would possibly go 10 if I was doing a lot of highway miles. But since a lot of my trips are to and from work and I only drive about 6K a year, I probably only change my oil every 10 to 12 months. So I just do it at 5K. I use M1 extended performance and OEM filters. Sometimes TRD filters if I find them on sale.

 

I think this is what they refer to as a "Rolling Oil Change." The oil never stays in the pan for very long . . .​

 

I agree with you on OEM filters and using synthetic oil.


But, why change your diff/transfer oil at 50k miles? Admittedly, I am not familiar about your 2016 Tundra specs but do not see where this linked Toyota dealership recommends diff/transfer fluid change at your recommended 50k miles. Toyota only suggests inspection.

https://www.toyotaofnorthmiami.com/toyota-tundra-service-schedule/


Do you know something we don’t?

Why do you suggest modern Ford engines oil intervals at 3k? Are you contradicting yourself?

 

I just did the rear differential and the front differential. 2017 and was at 50,300 miles.

I did it at this interval cuz: I had never done it before and wanted to be familiar with the process; I have read about really stuck fill or drain differential bolts. I wanted to give it a heeve-hoe now in case there was difficulty so I could get it solved (conversely, I told myself that if I do "sooner" than I can get them broken loose and retorqued and take care of any downstream "stuck bolt" issues); I wanted to get Red Line brand gear oil in there.

 

The same mechanics that make out on 3k oil changes? I would listen to engineers that make the equipment and the oil not the mechanics. 3K oil changes have been gone for over 15 years. Im not trying to change your mind cause it seems like you might have a 3k limiter in your brain but maybe sending your oil to Blackstone labs might help alleviate that 10k anxiety you have.

 

Thanks for posting that report. My 2016 CM 5.7 is a flex fuel model and the manual says 5,000, but I don't run flex fuel. i will probably stay at 5,000 changes for a while (I have 45k on the truck) but may wait later when it gets older. I ran Mobile 1 but am now running Penzoil full synthetic. My truck started using some oil about 10k miles ago (I have never had a newer vehicle do this) and some folks on the net said it may have been the thin oil and to try another brand, so that is what I did. I also read lots of manufacturers are having the same oil consumption problem due to placing the top piston ring too close to the top of the piston to get a cleaner burning engine, but this causes oil to cook on the ring and get stuck. The report was good information.

 

Actually, you're being very generous saying only 15 years. I did 5000 mile changes in the seventies, 7500 mile changes in the eighties, and by the early 21st century, oil monitors were telling me to wait until 10-12K miles. I keep vehicles at least ten years and sold them with 100-180K miles. When sold, all engines ran smoothly with low noise and vibration, were sludge-free, and didn't burn oil. I have empirical data that demonstrates 3K mile change intervals are unnecessary.

 

The only car or truck I would do 3k changes on would be an old one from the 70's or older--pre-fuel injection and computer. Those engines run a lot of extra raw gas (rich) which thins down the oil. There is no need to do 3k oil changes unless you drive on gravel roads all the time or tow very heavy loads all the time.

 

We have a lot of engineers on this site. Lol.

 

Today's Toyota engines are designed to take a beating. This is why you buy Toyota's Q.D.R. just ask Mike Sweers.

 

Do what you want. There is no doubt in my mind that I can change my oil every 5k and the truck will last over 200k, probably more like 500k. I would not want the truck after 200k (it would be really old by then since I only put 12k miles per year), so it would be a waste of time and money to do any changes less than that. Like I said, do what you want.

 

Any of you turd gen’rs here check their leaking cam towers or rear diffs for leaks lately? The new one to look for is the rear main seal leak on your models. I’d be worrying more about those items than changing engine oil at 3k miles which never hurts a thing. (My parting shot at sticking it to you guys).


Its been a fun debate. Maybe I’ll have this 2002 truck another 18 years and we’ll revisit who was right?

 

18 years later you’ve only put on another 162,000 miles which is nothing based on your 3 oils changes a year every 3,000.

 

I put about 23k miles a year. I'll revisit you guys in a few years.

 

Turd gen? That’s pretty funny. But, your first gen is the true TURD compared to the 5.7 liter engine. The older Toyota’s like yours were all gutless. You would take a third gen in a second if you were offered a swap.

 

I use chicken grease and water. Change every 7,423 miles. Had no issues yet

 

I cant believe we've waited this long to have a candid discussion regarding engine lubricant.

 

I had a 3rd gen Toyota 4runner that I sold with 275k on it and did oil changes anywhere from 5k to 7500k intervals. Toyota recommended 5k on that one. Never one issue related to not changing the oil sooner.

Hand model I wish we were neighbors as I would take all your used 3k oil for free and run it in my truck another 7k and never have to pay for a drop of oil.

 

But my gutless 4.7 can haul 3 more bags of groceries than your 5.7. Payload baby! Hahaha

And we have the same technology as your 15 year newer models minus the shiny dash trim. My OEM stereo/speaker still sounds better than the new model.

This is all in fun jest.

I actually was about to buy a turd gen last year and was talked out of it by my stupid mechanics. Actually, 2 separate stupid mechanics as I’m not smart enough to know ‘engineers’.

Yes the 5.7L is very nice as I have a few buddies with one. Other than that they complain about all the same stuff in turd gen section. Man you guys can whine! Anal/OCD about everything, but fluid changes before the recco’d mileage. Hahahaha.