Break in Period and Oil Changes?

That's an old theory. All exotic cars come with synthetic from the factory and many regular cars do. Engine tolerances are so close that dino oils are not required when engines are new.

 

Does your company not pay for maintenance?

In most cases the choice of 0W20 is for the carmaker to eck out another 1 mpg from the EPA fuel economy rating, not for engine longevity. This has been true ever since the EPA included cold starts in the test regimen.

 

Nope. Company pays lease of $1000/month. I can pick any car I want in the budget. Maintenance on me. Gas on them.

 

Nothing to be proud of. I don't maintain my leased vehicles. I am posting the truth. Lots of leased owners do this, but most won't tell the truth.

 

Sorry next owner isn't my concern.

 

Ah, so your plan works for you as long as the vehicle doesn't suffer a mechanical engine failure during the lease period.

 

Our lease program has been in effect since 1999. In the last 17 years, NONE of my vehicles EVER suffered a mechanical engine failure. Remember, I didn't say I drain oil out of them, and abuse them, and drive them without oil.

I don't CHANGE the oil. I also previously mentioned, I CHECK the oil religiously. Only one car I had in that time period (FX35) that needed oil to be added, as it burned oil from the get go. I topped it off every few months.

The car sees the dealer two times. Day I pick it up, and 27-36 month later, the day I drop it off.

 

On a related note, it would be beneficial to change the rear diff oil after 500 miles break-in (the no-towing recommendation in the owner's manual). The differential housing has no filter, so metal shavings float around, a tiny portion attach to the drain plug magnet. See also: How-to for changing rear diff fluid: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/changing-differential-fluid-a-step-by-step-how-to.24545/

 

Did the same thing with the exception of the first one at 1000 instead of 1500. Probably won't add 1 extra mile to the life of the engine but it made me feel good.

 

I know there are a few break-in threads going but this one seemed like my best option. I live in Philly and head back to Texas every Christmas to visit my family (I'm originally from Texas.) Picking up my new Taco (MGM Access Cab TRD Sport 4x4 w/Manual Transmission) and it looks like I'll have a bout 3 weeks down there before I start my journey back up to Philly. Since it's a manual anything different I should do as far as the break in is concerned? I'll probably just keep to the back roads while I'm in Texas so I can keep the RPM's lower and fluctuating.

 

Other than going by the break in period described in the manual I would do an oil change around 500-1000 miles but that's up to you. I just feel more comfortable doing it.

 

I took mine in at the 5000 mile sevice light. They told me they were only going to do tires and inspect everything. I took it home and did the oil myself. 10k is way to long especially on a brand new motor imo. I tow with mine so i plan on doing it evey 5k.

I know color of oil doent tell you anything but the oil i drained was pitch black. I am glad i did it at 5k and didnt go another 5k on it.

 

I had the dealership change mine at around 2,500 miles just for peace of mind (I usually don't even like going that long on the first change), and because I was getting ready to go on a 2k mile road trip with it. From then on I'm sticking with once a year.

 

I did my first change on my 15 at 1500 miles, oil looked like a stripper shook all her glitter into it, don't like to wait long on that very first change.

 

Thanks guys. I'm probably going to go with 1,000 for my firsts oil change. Heck, I'd do 500 but I'm pretty poor after purchasing the truck!

 

I am pretty torn. My OR 4x4 has 450 miles on it, all city driving and I am about to take a 600 mile round trip south. Should I change the oil before or after? I won't be at 1k miles if I do it before the trip but according the manual, new engines consume more oil and I risk being low on the trip. I don't know if the dealer service department would change it this soon.

 

if you pay for it they will.

 

Do you really think there's any difference between changing the oil 9,550 miles earlier than Toyota's recommended 10,000 miles instead of 8,950 miles earlier?

If you're worried about the oil level, go check it yourself. You ought to be doing so periodically anyway, so now's a good time to learn.

Dealers should be quite happy to change oil any time you want to pay them to do so. Personally, I just did it myself (1622 mi) but I also already have the tools and other stuff.

 

I would wait till you got back from the road trip.

 

Throughout this thread there has been discussion of metal shavings in the engine and even the rear diff, early in the life of the truck which prompts people to change out these fluids before the first scheduled maintenance. Do I think there is huge difference? No, not really but I am more than willing to get opinions on it since I just made this huge investment that I want to last a very long time.

Toyota will maintain the vehicle under the warranty I have for 2 years without me having to pay out of pocket but it's not clear to me yet if they will do it the same for break-in period.