The old 5k or 10k oil change debate

I'll share my experience.

In previous trucks (1987 Ford F250 diesel, Dodge 2001 Cummins diesel), I did oil changes at 10K intervals, and filter changes at 5K intervals. I also took an oil sample when I changed the oil, and sent it in for professional analysis (Oil Analyzers, Blackstone Labs). The reports always came back well within normal wear patterns, particulates, etc..

On my Tacoma I have done oil & filter changes at 10 - 12K mile intervals. I have not done any oil analysis on this truck.

On all 3 of these trucks, I have used Amsoil full synthetics and Wix or other comparable filters. Tacoma has 79K miles on it right now. Amsoil offers 3 different "life length" oils for gas engines. The "extended life" is guaranteed for 12K miles, the "max life" is rated at 25K miles. I have only used the 12K rated "extended life" oil so far.

I have not had any issues at all, and I am very comfortable with this oil/filter change interval.

 

Not in a Tacoma, but I ran Amsoil for 18 years in. Dodge 2500 hemi. Always did 10k oil changes, at times 11-12k, I got to it when I could. Sold it just this past September, 275k miles on the clock, yup had that hemi tick , but ran.

 

Split the difference. Semi-synthetic @ 7,500.

 

Where I got my confidence in the 5K interval is by looking at the YouTube video noted above, by an expert and experienced Toyota technician. Take a look you may be convinced as I was.

 

Agree about Ahmed. I personally follow his advise as I keep my vehicles a long time. This is what I'm comfortable with. How to make your Toyota Last Over 300k Miles without Major Repairs

However, If I was leasing and giving it back or owning for 5 years or less I'd just do the minimum recommend.

 

He's not an expert by any means and spreading some misinformation. A good example is he says you use what the oil cap says for engine oil but doesn't explain why. If we look at the 1FZ-FE engine in the US it askes for 10W-30 yet overseas in Australia it asks for 20w-50, the preferred oil now for the IFZ-FE in the US is 0/5w-40. This is an engine that frequently sees 300k-400k miles in it's lifetime. He also talks about how Toyota Oil is made by Mobile 1 but neglects to mention that not all Mobile 1 oils are created equal. While interval is important a lot of oil today in the US is to meet EPA requirements for efficiency, NOT necessarily for optimum operating conditions.

The reason I mentioned German cars earlier is because they have a 25k oil change interval, they typically use better oil that meets specific testing requirements

Most people talking about oil don't take the time to understand the approvals and specifications of the oil, for exmaple, has anyone looked to see if oil meets ACEA A3? Probably not.

There more to oil that an arbitrary change interval.

 

Saying not to taste it lets me know right away you don't know what you are talking about. Tasting the oil is the absolute best way to determine it you should change it.

Fresh oil has a nice sweet taste to it. As it gets closer to needing changed it starts developing a bitter taste. When it is time to change it will taste like raw brussel sprouts.

 

This isn't a debate. The official recommendation is in the manual- 10k miles for the Toyota Tacoma.

The beautiful part is that you can change your oil as often as you would like! And the Toyota service page explains that your driving may affect your servicing needs.

Towing, loading, off-roading, and repeated trips of less than five miles in temperatures below freezing. If you do any of these, your recommended interval can be as high as 5k miles. There's a guy on here that runs his oil through a homemade filter every 2k miles. But if your truck is a grocery-getter, you're not hurting anything by changing frequently, it's just a lot of work for not a lot of benefit.

 

I’ve been told in one of the many many other oil threads that the color doesn’t mean the oil is unable to do it’s job but I never let mine get to that status either.

 

Me too.

 

Thats his opinion without knowing, the climate, or how severe use someone would be driving in. I think he's trying to cover all bases. For the rest of us that have normal daily drivers, i think toyota is spot on.

 

My tundra never got that dirty doing 15k mile once a year oil changes even at 292k miles. I wouldn't be afraid to run it in my lawn mower.

 

So, what if your driving habits change part way through ownership? Like your truck goes from grocery getter to rural mail carrier in Alaska in winter? 10k to 5k? Does that make you a traitor to your oil camp?

 

it's spelled out in the owner's manual as severe driving condition
it's quite interesting that the owner's manual doesn't say how often and how long such event qualifies the case to be severe.
So, theoretically, if one just drives 1 hour in congested stop and go traffic, or puts a Christmas tree on the roof, it's severe case and should follow 5k.

 

Changing oil…the factory recommendations are just that…how you drive should be added in…
No harm changing engine oil more often, maybe the pocket book? NOT all engine oils are the same…better quality ones will allow less oil changes..

Note all synthetic oils are not the same too…. Many synthetic oil companies have different grades…those will change every 7,500 miles grade 3.. grade four , many will say change before 15,000 miles , the top grades ,5 levels replace every 20,000-25,000 miles before changing oils…make sure you get the correct oil filters too..

Amsoil has a grade 5 , as well as Mobil one…I think they have three grades too..? Synthetic oils were design for vehicles in freezing temperatures and hot deserts climates….
I found the Mobil one ,grade 5 …the recommended changing oil every 25,000 miles…this was all I use in the 70’s…excellent product! Today hard to find the grade 5 in Kona hawaii…? Grade 3 & 4 are more available..
Aloha

 

I did 10K oil changes for the 1st 180,000 miles. But at the time I was averaging about 20,000 miles per year and it worked out to about every 6 months. But for the last few years my Tacoma has been a 3rd vehicle and is being driven less than 10,000 miles a year. I still change it about every 6 months regardless of miles now. I still don't have a problem with 10K oil changes. But time is important too.

It still doesn't use any oil at 223,000. I've never put a drop of oil in the engine except when changing it.

 

Dude if you pay a bit of attention here you will see many 3rd gen Tacomas going over 300K with OCI of over 10K. Many use 15K!
Get with the times. This is not 1970.

 

I specifically addressed this above. What authority gives "grades" to oil.....

 

Oil is cheap engines are not. I change it every 5,000

 

Are we supposed to change the oil??