ToyotaCare 5k Service - No Oil Change?

Same oil bro

 

It... never mind. Enjoy.

 

I'm just saying how I do it. You guys can stick with the 10k, but for me it's cheap, easy, and kind of fun to do, so why not?

 

That means nothing.

 

Somewhere, someone on the internet disagrees with you...

 

Here's the official Toyota 2 year service program below, they only provide two oil and filter changes, I agree with everyone else that 10K miles for the first oil change seems like it's a lot but most car manufacturers follow similar service schedules. However, I very strongly feel the first oil change during the engine brake-in period should be changed at 1500 miles, simply for clearing any metal shavings and other accumulated debris.

As an example on my 2015 BMW X5 the oil change frequency is 15K miles (once a year), this my 12th BMW and never had any issues related to oil change frequency vs. engine breakdown issues, have had oil leak issues though which appeared after the first 150K miles. Audi, MB and other high end companies follow similar service schedules.

My goal is to have the oil and filter replaced at 5K miles, and at 10K intervals, it's cheap insurance.

 

1. A "feeling" works for paint colors and seat comfort. Not technical, measurable things.
2. Metal shavings and such are not floating freely through your oil passages. That's what the oil filter is for... collection and holding debris.

Bottom line.... if you guys want to change your oil every hundred miles knock yourselves out. That's fine. Just quit trying to justify any technical reason going against the engineers. You don't have a case and "feelings" don't count in the engineering world. They took that line out of the BOM a long time ago lol. Can't part number a feeling.

 

The engines are generally broken in before you receive the vehicle. If the vehicle needed a sooner oil change it would be recommended.

10k oil changes are fine in ideal condition. Key note is ideal. Toyota has a severe service recommendation. Most will find they fall into such a category consistently throughout different times of the year. The severe service recommendation is 5k.

 

The manual says you should do 5k if you drive PRIMARILY under these conditions:

- Driving on dirt roads or dusty roads:

- Driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading

- Repeated trips of less than five miles in temperatures below 32°F / 0°C

- Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for a long distance such as police, taxi or door-to-door delivery use:


Which of those do "most" consistently do throughout different times of the year?

 

You're supposed to change it every 10k? Hmm the dealership has been changing my oil for free every 5k!

 

Its not a very big stretch to see that most drivers consistently do a combination of these things.

There is plenty of market research and data that supports that most drivers do indeed drive in what is considered harsh conditions.

These four points are not the only conditions that would describe harsh driving environments. An owners manual is not an all inclusive guide on how to maintain a vehicle properly.

To answer your last question directly, I live in Maine. I'll sum it up by between October and April, the roads practically dirt roads, the weather has severe swings and extreme colds. These conditions alone, without plowing, towing, stuck in traffic, idling, ect, put a vehicle into a severe service category.

 

my dealer just told me 10k and I did the 5k myself...they will only do it at 10k, 20k...but they will rotate the tires every 5k....

 

It really does depend on the driving conditions, and how you drive it.

 

You answered your own question.

 

@Deathray See the link in my signature. I've been using Toyota filters and have not been seeing an issue.



I've got steam and gas turbines with something like 10-12 years on the same oil. We just change the filters with the dP gets high across the filters. We do sample the oil monthly though. It's not a car engine, but it's fun for comparison.

 

@Xena1 you can check the tests in my signatures. I'm waiting to hear back from one I sent in a couple of weeks ago for my 50K oil change. I'll update it then.

Seriously though, they actually spend a lot of time testing this stuff. Toyota knows what they are doing and aren't designing obsolescence into your truck.

 

@hiPSI you are becoming my favorite poster.

 

I have a second gen, but I get oil changes for free every 5k for the life of the vehicle... Maybe they changed their ways for the third gens.

 

Are you running traditional dino oil or synthetic? My dealer seems pretty cut and dry on everything... 5k for dino, 10k for syn.

 

I bet if you went back and read your invoices they did the "scheduled service" each 5k miles. However, I would bet money that they only changed the oil at 10K and 20k. The "scheduled service" at 5k miles is to "inspect and adjust all fluid levels" in addition to rotate tires and multi-point vehicle inspection.