The old 5k or 10k oil change debate

Toyota recommendations for 5k service intervals on the Tacoma.

 

That’s what dirty and contaminated oil rings will do. The reason why is often using thin oil and going too long on your OCI’s.

 

Yes, clearly the rings and/or valve seals were dirty. However the cause was not long OCIs. It had 3k oil changes with Quaker State 5w-20 its whole life. Family car; I have all records.

 

Still Using 20 weight? I would personally run at least 30 hot. Thin oil is not as good at handling contaminants.

 

I had run 5w-30 Supertech and Pennzoil Platinum HM; didn’t really change consumption.

I’m now running 0w-30 Amsoil with 0.5 qt of HPL EC30.

 

Amsoil is great oil, I just find it way overpriced. I use M1 European Formula 0w-40. It also has a high concentration of anti wear additives like Amsoil. I’m also a big fan of Liqui Moly’s Cera Tek friction modifier. I usually start using it around 2k miles. My Taco received its first evacuation at 350 miles, only at 409 right now.

 

so they expect us to drop the driveshaft and lubricate it every 5000 miles? why didn't they just give us some zerks?

 

Correct but all those listed come under severe use. Its 10k for the rest of us that aren't in that category.

 

I have heard people talk very well about M1 ESP. Does the formulation differ between the 5w-30 and 0w-40? Know if there are any details on the AN and Esther contents and how they compare to Amsoil and HPL?

 

0w-40 Is more robust and meets more specs than 5w-30. Both are good oils.


PHOSPHORUS:
ESP= 900 - EUROPEAN= 1000
ZINC:
ESP= 990 - EUROPEAN= 1100

 

You really don't want zinc in these new engines with cats. Zinc reacts badly on the materials inside. Zinc is great for old engines without cats, or breaking one in.

 

Agreed but I’ll take the anti wear properties over issues with the cats, long term. Amsoil is also high in zinc and phosphorus. Pretty much any oil that prioritize engine wear over economy is.

This article I posted before delves into it a bit. There are trade-offs, but cats are a hell of a lot cheaper than a short-block.

“and the deposits depend on the specific ZDDP chemistry and the finished oil formulation“

https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/518/motor-oils

 

I do every 5k or 6mo cause it makes me feel good inside. Sometimes that's all we need to do.

 

Hope this post is not breaking the rules, speaking of good deals, I just purchased 6 quarts of 5w-40 EF via Walmart.com for $52. They have a $10 rebate using WOWFRESH, then go to Mobile 1 and submit your rebate claim using your Walmart receipt for another $12 back. That’s 12 quarts for $40. Pretty damn good deal. You can pick your favorite, does not need to be European Formula.

https://promotion.mobil.com/offers/rebate/dashboard.asp

 

anyone get a loud screeching noise on first start after oil change? last oil change i had a really loud screeching noise for half a second when i started the truck. prefilled my filter this time and no noise. hope it didn't damage anything.

 

I just had the oil changed at a little over 1k on my new tacoma as part of break in. In the future, I will change my oil every 5k. I did the same on my old 4runner. 15 years old with 175k and the motor purred like a kitten when I traded it. NY winters are tough on the frame though. I am not a master mechanic or an engineer, but I consider the 5k interval cheap insurance. When you spend 45k, it's an investment, and an extra $100 a year is nothing.

 

Maybe you're overthinking it. All the engines in service today can get well over 200k miles using any of the motor oils offered. You don't need special oils with extra additives for these engines, Their just not that high performance. Just change your oil per the manufactures specs, and you'll be more than fine. If an engine is going to fail, its likely due manufacturing defects, or abuse.

 

Maybe, the Tacoma is a fantastic platform and I am new to it. Not new to Toyota, though my previous Lexus vehicles were used. I think my experience with other makes has made me more intense in my break-in procedures and general oil habits. I also like to work on vehicles so I use it as an excuse to play with them.

I wish I could hook up a JB4 to the Tacoma, but they only do turbo engines. We also own a Tucson Hybrid, kind of wish we went with the Highlander HEV, but this one was $20k less. As you know, Hyundai / Kia are not known for their engine longevity and I have done a number of things to try to keep this little guy running in tip-top shape. Example of my logging and looking at fuel trims, timing, boost, and AFR. Top is e20 bottom is 93. It’s has a little 1.6t engine with a small electric motor. It’s actually pretty fun to drive pushing 6 lbs over stock. It’s by no means fast but for a small SUV it zooms around pretty quick. Whoops the Tacomas butt… lol. Trying to keep her from consuming oil as long as I can.

 

I've had Toyotas since 1978, and none have consumed any oil. I never did anything special either, only following the manufactures oil change schedule for my driving conditions. My last truck had 292k miles when I sold it. I still see it on the road here once in awhile.