5,000 Mile Oil Changes Really Necessary?

I'm approaching 5K miles and it's time for the first oil change. Since Toyota covers the first 5/25K miles, I'm going to take them up on it, and use their schedule. But are oil changes really necessary at 5K in the Taco? My other vehicle is a Honda, and with its maintenance minder system, it normally triggers oil changes between 8K and 9K miles (lots of highway driving for both vehicles). Just curious as to whether 5K is really necessary, or if I could set it on a 7500-mile schedule without having any issues?

 

It's a shorter service interval because Toyota uses conventional oil, not synthetic

 

You can do whatever you want. Some have gone with longer schedules and are doing fine. Remember going with a longer oil change schedule could impact the warranty if something goes wrong. At least get an oil evaluation done to verify you are good.

 

I took mine in for an oil change at 3,500 because it's a new engine. They told me the first oil change in the 16 is the 10,000 mile. Weird. Anyways, I WOULD get your first oil change at 5,000 or before with the new engine. Just my 2C

 

Logic is not welcome here.

 

Yes, I'm definitely planning to get it changed at 5K, 10K, etc... up until 25K when Toyota stops paying for it.

I didn't realize they were still using conventional rather than synthetic in the Taco, that makes the shorter interval make more sense. Of those that have switched to synthetic, are you going longer intervals?

 

I don't know who "Manual" is ?

 

Toyota uses full synthetic oil..........................and has since my 2013 tacoma and Im sure since before then.

 

The factory fill is full synthetic 0w20. Manual calls for 10k miles between oil changes or 5k for severe duty, regular short trips, etc.

 

I can believe that.

 

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense. I think I'll stick to a 7500-mile schedule, which was my original intent. I'm in this for the long haul, so no need to push it.

 

Do what is needed for warranty protection first. No debate here, unless you don't care about warranty.

After that ends, feel free to learn your vehicle's real needs.

Once out of warranty, decide what oil you are going to run, and do your first change. The truck now contains 'your' oil, be it syn or dino, whatever brand and weight you have chosen.

At the next book recommended OCI, simply have an independent lab test of your oil. Blackstone Labs is a common place for those interested.

They will send you a report on the health of your engine and your oil, advising how much life the oil actually had left in it when you dump it, assuming that you continued with the same type of drive cycles.

If you have selected an off the self product like Mobil 1, don't be surprised if they come back with a recommendation of over 10k life. 12-14k is pretty common. I've used 10k for years in a few vehicles, because 10k is easy to remember and fits with tire rotations. But it's nice to know you have some headroom if you are indisposed when that 10k clicks over.

 

My dealer told me 10k

 

A proven by Manuel, 5w20 is mineral oil(conventional) and the 0w20 is only available as synthetic, so no choice on that one. It appears the 2016 is synthetic, but the older V6 use the 5w20 and 4 bangers use the synthetic 0w20. However, a lot of dealers only will have synthetic and the 5w20 is most likely a blend.

 

1) New engine (ANY new engine I would run a start break-in cycle, then get that oil and any metal out of there. )
2) 5000 mile is a reasonable cycle. ALL oil begins to breakdown with use. Personally, 7500 plus is pushing the life of the oil.
3) Of all the cheap insurance out there to buy, an oil and filter change is the cheapest.

It's your engine. As a retired helicopter pilot, I like fresh blood and knowing that my engine is flawless.

 

as do eye, one of the reasons is that my gray shrimp numbers are slowly dwindling in my cranium, and it makes it easier to rotate dem aggressive tares so they wear mo-betta when it is on a lift n drainin the earl

 

I change mine every 3k miles. I just think of it as cheap insurance. I'd never let mine go over 5k miles but hey, I'm in school for construction not mechanics.

 

No kidding.

In the 60's 2k was the interval. With non detergent oil and less than stellar filtration.

I'm thinking that all the 3k change fans should only be allowed to have dial up on a DOS box with a green screen. It's about the same.

 

Imagine that...another oil/oil change thread.

 

My 14 is synthetic