Question about 5k service

Figured I would use Toyotacare since I dont have to pay for it. Went in for 5k service. Specifically asked them to check ATF fluid levels, check alignment and assumed they were going to do oil change. They said they didnt have time to check fluid because they were closing early, which was fine. Alignment was still a little off, which is also fine. I assumed 5k would include oil change though but I was told they only do it every 10k?? Is everyone waiting 10k?? Seems a bit long even for synthetic but im used to changing every 3k on my last car

 

The manual says every 10k.

I'm going to do the oil myself at 3.5k

 

I did 3k on my last car because it was a sports car and I drove the hell out of it. Im comfortable with doing 5k on the truck since I drive like a normal civilized person in it haha

 

Did 1k break in service even though they say it isn't needed. Just feel better so paid for it myself. Rest will be toy-care.

 

Yeah Toyota Care maintenance doesn't give you that much. What is it, like two oil changes and 4 tire rotations. Oh and lots of inspecting. I had my two oil changes done at 5k and 10k, you can ask them to have them done early. After that you can go somewhere else.

 

Toyota recommends oil changes every 10k miles. Other makes like BMW, every 12K miles.
I do what they recommend, you do what you feel comfortable with.

 

Think there's another thread about this, but yes, not a fan of 10k, even with synth oil. Taking mine in this afternoon for an oil change, 2000 miles. I always do this with a new vehicle, I feel better getting that "break in oil" out around 2k, never know what crap is lurking in there after the manufacturing process. My previous cars were turbocharged, always changed at 5k, will probably continue that with the taco, I'll pay for every other change.

 

My Porsche said One Year or 15K miles. OW40 from the factory. I just did what they said.

G.

 

Yes. I always wait 10k for oil change. These aren't the clunky engines of 20-30 years ago using conventional oil.

Realistically synthetic oil can last much much longer than 10k.

 

https://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-changing-your-oil.html

Mobile 1 Extended performance is a 15k mile oil but if you like wasting money then continue changing oil yourself every 3k

 

This subject has been beaten to death and you will not change anyone's mind. I go along with the engineers who designed and tested the engines, but some folks disagree with that. I gave up trying to convince them this is the new norm, and now I just smile and take their money.

 

This

 

Yep 10K it is. If your older it kinda goes against what we all grew up doing but thats just how it is. Purchased my truck new so I'm letting the dealer do all the maintenance as required by Toyota so its properly documented. Plus my dealer gives an additional 20/200,000 warranty on the drivetrain as long as the truck is maintained to specs. If the engine craps out because the oil was changed every 10K they can put a new one in it. Same goes for the transmission if its low on fluid and malfunctions its on them.

I'm actually really happy with my truck. After the most recent TSB is drives rather nicely. I prefer the ECT on in drive mode. Almost a little to peppy with ECT and sport mode. 6th gear is still useless when using cruise control but I can live with that.

 

I can agree on the 10k service, however, unless you are buying a vehicle with a hand built engine with tolerances checked and rechecked, there will be a break in. I myself will waist my money and do a 1k break in oil change for my piece of mind.

 

Knowing Toyota, 10k is still probably conservative.
They spend over a million dollars a day on R&D. I trust they know what they are talking about.

 

break in oil change between between 1-2k, unless manual says wait longer. Then, 10k mobil 1. Last car I had I ran that schedule but changed filters because filters around that time were not 10k rated. It ran for 12 years for 140k miles and the engine was the smoothest I ran. CAR died at 140k (wet leaves+curve+deer=pick your poison). But it could have gone longer. Current car is on the same and at 60k miles, sounds and feels like the first day we bought it. Changed the tacoma out at 2500 for break in, and go 10k intervals with mobil 1.

 

Regarding the oil change interval: is there an oil change "light", and if so, how often does it come on for most people? I'm not sure about the Tacoma but some makes have an algorithm that adjusts the oil change interval based on how the vehicle is used. For example I think the one in my Chevy is based on number of engine revolutions, and possibly other inputs. So the light clicks on anywhere from 3-6k miles depending on how I drive, towing etc. I haven't kept very good records on our Honda but it seems to be similar. Both of these cars are pushing 15 years old, so hardly new technology...

 

It's interesting that the manual says they inspect ALL fluid levels, as I suspect most shops don't check the ATF and will say they don't need to (or the service writer claims they do, and is lying or doesn't know any better).

 

If folks aren't engineers in the oil industry I'm not sure why they make claims that 10000 is too much. I've had a lot of cars now and many are going the 10000k intervals simply because the engineering and filters are designed to do as much. I'm not an engineer either but I've done reading and I'm not going to argue with sources that have degrees and extensive experience in the field. Read for yourself:

https://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-changing-your-oil.html
http://ifixit.org/blog/2699/dont-be-a-sucker-every-3000-miles/
https://www.cars.com/articles/2013/04/do-you-really-need-to-change-your-oil-every-3000-miles/
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/vehicle-maintenance/change-oil-3000-miles.htm

The oil threads in this forum always end up with "I'm going to do it this way anyways". That's fine, it is your vehicle and your cash. The manual however, specifically states every 10000 miles or 5000 if the driving condition are rough. Expect an oil change at 10000 and 20000 for most folks. If you choose to do it yourself, more power to you. I'm not going to lie, I changed my own at 5000 simply because I wanted to. However, I'm sitting at 16500 miles and have only gotten the 10000 oil change since and won't be changing until every 10000 afterwards. It's a circular argument because people use how they "feel" to argue which can never go up against facts evenly. In the end, do what you want, it's your vehicle.