HOW FREQUENT DO SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE?

I am at 150,000 mi on my 2006 v6 pre runner. Only did snyth oil once, about 10,000 miles ago. Is it time to change? Also, the engine light is staying on, and the gas cap is tight....any ideas?

 

Some will say to raise the OCI to 10K if using synthetic. Some will say to keep it at 5K. Do what you like, but whatever you do, use a quality oil filter.
Dealer filter

$55 90915-YZZD3 Oil Filter 1 Case (QTY 10)

90915-YZZD3 is your best bet for a filter in my opinion.

 

Get an oil analysis done by blackstone...
Also dont forget about the oil filter..have there been leaps and bounds on the oil filter side to maintain extended oil change intervals?

 

You mean the maint. required light? you have to reset that every 5k miles....it in in owner manual

 

I do Mobil 1 synthetic gold cap every 4500 miles.

 

Probably depends on many factors. Attached is my oil analysis from 10k miles with Mobil 1 Extended Mileage and larger capacity Mobil 1 oil filter. Tomorrow I'm changing it out at 15k (switching to Amsoil for a comparason) and will send a sample away to see the results, but I expect it to be similar to the last analysis. For reference, a majority of my driving is short stop and go trips around town.

 

I called Mobil about this as we use it in all of our vehicles. We also do not drive our vehicles all that much, not nearly the 10k miles a year. Mobile advised to change the synthetic oil every 10k miles OR every 12 months, so that is what we do.

 

How much does an analysis cost?

 

Yes.

Get the codes read. Guessing is futile. Parts houses will do it for free.

 

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

 

Yes OP it's time to change your oil.

 

The kits are free. The analysis is about 25-30 bucks . Driving habits and environment will be factors on your intervals if you're going to stray away from the usual 5k .

 

And they sell oil, know nothing of the internal health of your engine, and are covered in corporate risk lawyers.

Have your own sample done on each vehicle to know where they stand.

I'll bet a coke it will be more than the 10k, and more than 12 months. A lot more.

No, the labwork isn't 'cheap'. But the ROI is made up by eliminating the first wasted oil change. After that..............

 

Like others have said it depends a lot on the type of driving, where you drive it and the overall condition of your engine. Personally I run OEM filters and either Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Pure Platinum synthetics and change every 5k. The price of M1 has jumped a lot over the last few months, almost 30 bucks at the local Wally World so Ill probably either use the Pennzoil or even QSUD in the future. I feel like for 30-35 bucks per change that it's not going to kill my wallet and I'm kinda old school so I change it probably more frequently than I need. I'd suggest a good quality oil and filter and than send it off to Blackstone for analysis.

 

Yes OP, change it.

I change mine at 4500 to 5K. Done it that way since I bought it new at the end of 2007. I'm currently using Penzoil Ultra Platinum that I found on clearance at Walmart and of course they had the rebates for it. If it wasn't for that, I would use Mobil 1. I've only used the filters mentioned in post #2 above. Nice and cheap quality filter in case lots from Ebay.

I know I could likely extend my intervals, but it's cheap insurance and it gives me something to do. I may break down and get my oil analyzed later on but only out of curiosity not with any intent to change intervals.

 

Every 4000 - 5000

 

We can't answer that, too many factors specific to you. I have used Amsoil Signature Series since 15k on my 2006. Using oil analysis reports from Blackstone Labs I have settled into an 18 month change cycle, wich is based on my usage. To figure it out for yourself it takes time and $ for reports. If you don't want to do analysis' and you're using a true full synthetic oil just change at the reccomended mielage or 12 months, whatever comes first. EX; Amsoil Sig Series is 25,000 miles or 12 months.

 

I have a friend that owns an auto repair shop he said they are getting reports that the synthetic oil may be good for 15000 miles. For what it's worth he also said don't spread it around. My 2 cents.

 

Don't listen to the dinosaurs... Hondas in the early 90s using dino oil had an OEM recomended interval of 7,500 miles. Pull a sample while your changing it and send it to blackstone and ask for the TBI test. Use the results to set a bench mark. If they say it was time to change it, bravo. If they say run it another 3k, then run the next interval to 13k and have it tested again until you find your sweet spot. I know my sweet spot but still get it tested every change to monitor engine wear.