Do you guys rely on the maintenance light?

To the op....yes

 

Modern conventional oil is better to be changed around 5K miles, Synthetic goes up to 7K-8K (I change mine at 7K [Royal purple synthetic oil w/ TRD Oil Filter).

Sooo... No, I don't go by the light. It's actually more of a nuisance.

 

I'm an idiot, it's a light....so yes.

Mine blinks on start up about 4,500 miles into last reset so I have some warning.

 

I change every 5000, so its not a big deal for me, I'm at even numbers, in other words I just changed it at 35,000, so due at 40,000. The light is accurate.

 

That is what that light is for. When it starts flashing I wash my truck and when it goes solid I put air in the tires and clean the inside of the windshield.

I figured if they wanted me to change the oil then they should have had a light that flashed, "change oil."

 

I'm one of those OCD #&$@% too...

 

I can say for sure the light comes on at exactly 5000 miles. That is if whoever did your last oil change reset the light.

I was out yesterday and the light came on I looked at the odometer and it showed 15,060. I looked up at the dealer tag and it showed next change at 15,060.

 

LOL, blessing and a curse kinda thing. I always know when I'm due for a change!

 

since its there... yeah lol.

 

I don't use it, I just got 5k every time. And use trip A for mpg, trip B for oil change intervals

 

Yeah, I never look at my main odometer, just the trips. The light usually gives me warnings before it comes on full times. Upon startup, it will flash a few times and go off, and one day just comes on and stays on.

 

You should not be using conventional oil in the 1GR-FE, it is designed for semi-synthetic, and that is what the 5000 miles is designed around. You can go longer on fully synthetic, but shouldn't even be using conventional oil.

 

I follow the normal usage maintenance schedule, so for me the light is a convenient reminder.

 

The light is there to keep the EPA happy...I change my oil with Mobil 1 5w-30 at every 5000 increment, as in 5k, 10k, 15k and such. The filters I buy by the case (Wix from RockAuto) and the Mobil 1 comes from Wally World in the 5 qt jugs with a couple always in stock. I maintain 4 light trucks, a Jeep and now the wife new subu WXI, and 5 motorcycles. I can't waste time buying supplies for each when the oil needs changing. (Ok, the 62 Town Wagon doesn't get too many miles these days)

 

log it in your maintenan
ce book

reset your trip odometer

reset the other trip odometer if necessary

write it down on your desk calendar

tell your wife or gf to remind you 5k miles later

set up a reminder on your computer

 

New taco owner here, so we don't change our oil every 3,000 miles?

 

Manual does state 5k oil/filter changes regardless of oil used, but when I ran conventional I changed around 3500, and many old school guys still change at 3K, especially if using the truck hard. I am sure that is what is meant here.

 

Modern engines, modern oil...3k is just too often.

I now go 7,500 miles between changes. First report back from BlackStone gave me a good report which is why I'm at 7,500 mile intervals. I'll be sending them another sample in Jan or Feb when I do my next change but I expect the same results.

 

I use regular old SAE dino oil. Every 5,000. No issues. I personally wouldn't go longer than 5k, with any oil for that matter.