The old 5k or 10k oil change debate

Moral of the story: anyone paying attention to oil is doing fine.

 

I just changed the oil yesterday after 13k miles.

 

They sure aren't related to 10k oil changes.

 

Yeah, when I visited relatives in Germany a few years ago, I was shocked how long their vehicles go between oil changes. Compared to them, were so wasteful with these 3-5k oil changes.

 

Not inferring one or the other… just pointing out the higher occurrence of engine issues than trans issues. There are also a lot of random “cracked blocks” and “burned valves” doubt it has anything to do with oil changes

 

Usually cracked blocks are due to casting issues. Burnt valves are likely due to the valve not sealing well from the time the engine was assembled.

 

2020 Tacoma rolled into the shop and "consumed excessive oil at 70K miles."

https://www.reddit.com/r/Justrolled...eeds_to_add_4_gallons_of_oil_between_service/

He couldn't produce records, as "oil changed at independent shops."

Hmm, 14 oil and filter changes vs new engine (guessing short block and labor for $8000). Your choice.

Me, every 5,000 miles with Toyota Engine Oil (keep your receipt, not mileage and date in pen on receipt) and OEM Filter (I buy four at a time)
Cheap insurance.

NOTE: I suspect the owner did 20,000-mile oil changes with cheap oil. Boy, that looks nasty for 70,000 miles.



Teardown showed one nasty mess.

 

I've seen that picture a few times now floating around. Somebody never changed their oil....ever. Who knows what even type of oil was used.

 

That’s an extreme case but likely from using non-synthetic and going way too long between changes. You don’t get that kind of sludge build up with 100% synthetics.
I worked as a lube tech when I was much younger man and most places don’t really give a shit or looks at what grade oil most vehicles call for. It’s an in and out kind of business. Most don’t even use synthetic unless you specifically ask for it. They also typically use bulk 55 gal drums of oil from the lowest bidder.
If you use good synthetic oil, you can go longer OCI without any long term issues like what is seen in this failed motor.

 

It's everywhere! "I know better than Blackstone Labs and yer report isn't trustworthy."

 

Weird. How do all of those "little shavings of metal from the engine breaking in" -- if they even exist -- manage to get through a 20-micron oil filter? 20 microns, by the way, is about the size of a single skin cell.

These modern motors don't need "break-in oil changes". That's old advice for outdated motors and outdated lubricants. I demonstrated that way back in 2013 with multiple UOAs on a brand new Rav4.

 

You dont have to be a master tech to see that this customer didnt change his oil out that often

 

Often? From the looks at 70k miles, maybe once if that.

 

I had my 10k service done Saturday, smaller town dealership but it was Saturday. Rolled in second in line, figured 60-80 minute wait. After an hour my truck still hadn't moved. Apparently the 4Runner on the lift was broke down and couldn't move so they moved me to the 3rd lane behind 2 cars that came in after me. I politely asked what the shit is going on. Said they'd get me right up on the rack, tire comes off, 10 minute break, second tire off 5 minute break. After 2 hours 50 minutes they're finally done. I guess you get what you pay for with free service right? Only 2 more which I may go to a larger city to see if their service is any better.
Asked several sales guys on ETA on 4th gen, if they're doing a list etc, didn't really try to offer to put me on a list or anything or if I was even interested. They did have a bad ass CT5 Blackwing on the showroom though.

 

After seeing how much Amsoil and HPL cleaned up my well-maintained CR-V’s engine with 182,000 mi, it’s all I use now. People think if you use “full synthetic” you’ll be ok, but not for the long term in my experience. Your rings can still coke up and you can still get varnish and sludge.

There are now many cases where HPL has freed up significant crud caught in oil filters on cars that lived on 3k Dino and 5-10k FS changes.

 

Not sure why there's a debate.
If you want to change your oil every 5K, for whatever reason, do it. However, Toyota recommends 10K under normal operating conditions.

 

just got off the phone with Toyota they recommended you send me money

Tfw get genuine Lambo synthetic for free

 

Switched to Amsoil as well. Peace of mind with 10K intervals. I ran Castrol GTX in my '03 Acura RSX for many years and that baby burned a ton of oil at startup toward the end.

 

I went from burning 1qt in 1000 mi to almost no burn in 1000 mi after HPL Engine Clean + Amsoil. Crazy since the K24 is so known for burning oil.

 

My tsx Burns exactly 0 … after 130k miles and 5-7.5k between changes