Change Oil Sooner Than 7.5k Due to Long Idling Periods?

I use synthetic 0W-20 with a 7,500 mile change interval. In the winter the truck can sometimes spend long periods of time idling (Many hours per day). Should the oil change interval be sooner than 7,500 during months where this excessive idling occurs?

Pics for Clicks

 

Personally, I would reduce intervals for idling and plowing, for sure. If you want to get a more exact idea of the condition of your oil at the tail end, then the small investment in a couple of used oil analysis tests will help you to decide on what your OCI should be for your truck working it as you are. With the price of 0w30 syn, and the price of engines, maximizing your life out of both will quickly pay for the oil testing, IMHO.

 

I have a 2014 and the dealership told me 5k between oil changes regardless of Reg/Syn. Oil to keep my warranty valid. A guy that I work with had a Hyundai Sonata with the 10 year 100K and was doing oil changes at 6k, and blew the motor and they told him it's not covered! This is my first Toyota and maybe it's different, I don't know! I'm going to stick with 5k on my oil changes regardless. There are so many topics on oil changes on this site and sometimes you don't know if the poster (OP) is In/Out of Warranty. When my warranty expires I may go to 8-10K. Will see!

Jay

 

I think 7500 miles is crazy to change the oil. I would definitely recommend 5 thousand with plowing. Oil is cheap compared to blowing up a motor or damaging internals

 

I would change it at 5000 miles. You might look at this
http://air.greenventure.ca/idling-facts-and-myths

 

While 7500 is not crazy (1st Gen Tundra allowed for 5k or 7.5k on non-synthetic), the 2nd Gen Tacoma specifies 5k intervals regardless of the type of oil, even on the 2.7 models running 0w20 synthetic.

 

Hummm. My mechanic was very certain that 7500 was no issue for normal "mostly highway" type use.

Maybe I should send a sample at 7500 mi to Blackstone Labs and see what they say.

 

YES! Long idling is considered a characteristic of "severe" operating conditions. This shortens your interval.

 

I change mines around 3k. I figure it will help with the longevity of the motor.

 

I agree... BUT, your warranty requires 5k, regardless of what the Amsoil/Mobil-1 bottle, your mechanic, and Blackstone have to say.

Documented oil changes at 7500 and Toyota is within their rights to deny warranty repair on engine failure.

 

Overkill and a waste of money and natural resources.
5k is fine for any conditions.

Like I said before, Toyota used to allow for 7500 on non-synthetic oil.
5k was only for severe service.
They dropped the 7500 interval model by model as the "Maintenance Required" light was added to the dash displays starting around 2001.

 

Not overkill for me. Its my work truck and it takes abuse, hauling heavy loads every other day or so, lots of stop and go. I feel its cheap insurance. I have 170k mi's and it runs like a champ.

 

Jesus christ, this thread again...

 

Most engines, vehicles are the exception are serviced by the number of hours used.

 

Different operational environment for the most part though.

Vehicles have odometers, and miles driven is, for the most part, the best way to schedule maintenance due to the constant and wild fluctuations in operating parameters.

Compressors, generators, and other non-vehicle engines are generally run in one of two conditions... idle, no load, and "operating RPM" at full load.
Boats are not dissimilar, in that they are generally also running at high load, or near idle.

Also, the hourly maintenance intervals for most engines would be comparable to a vehicle, running 40mph average, about 8,000 miles.