First Oil Change

So my truck has 11,500 miles on it as of today(had it for a year and a half). So it's time for my 3rd oil change. The first 2 times I took it to the dealer and had them do it. Normally in all of my other trucks I just did it at home, but being my first new one I just brought it in. Well I was so surprised when I did it today HOW EASY EVERYTHING WAS TO GET TO!!!! By far the easiest vehicle I have changed oil on. My Cadillac CTS is easy, but being a car I can't just crawl underneath it to change. I also changed to synthetic oil now(Valvoline SYNTech), I am assuming that should be a lot better performer than the non synthetic oil the dealer uses. The only thing I noticed was the Fram filter I used was a little shorter than the factory Toyota one, is that going to affect anything?

 

I would not worry about the size of the filter, but a lot of people on this forum do not like Fram oil filters. I use K & N because they filter down to 10 microns. I have no idea what the filtration rate of Fram's are. JMO.

 

Thanks for the input, I will keep that in mind for my next change. Where I got the filter(walmart) thats all they had. I will go somewhere else next time then, or order one. The Fram should be okay for one time of use for my 6 months though, shouldn't it? I don't drive much, or hard..

 

Good idea. The only reason I use the K&N is because I have the 2.7 and the nut on the end makes it easier to get off. When I did my first oil change that factory filter was a bitch. They really put that sucker on tight.

 

Hi Team! I have been a Toyota truck person since 1992. I had a xtra-cab long bed 88, tacoma xtra-cab 94, and now 09 preRunner sport. Have used a OME toyota oil filter and have no regrets. I looked for a oil wrench to fit new truck but ended up with a adjustable wrench for removal only. It has springs for adjustment that grab and hold during removal. Oh yeah, orginal filter was super tight. Placed by cylons at factory I'm sure. Double obe-goto mr. roboto......

 

Chris, any problems with using OEM and synthetics? I was thinking of AMSOIL and their filter down the road, not really a pun. Forgot to add to last post.

 

chris how about Bosch?? ive been using that since first oil change..

 

I would use OEM or Purolator Pure One. I'm currently back to using the Purolator because I've had very good results in past oil studies, though they were on my Altima. I haven't done any on the Tacoma but I am using the same ingredients as on the Altima: Pennzoil Platinum and the Pure One filter.

 

Hey what all did you need to change the oil in your truck?

 

FWIW, I've never had an oil related problem in all of my vehicles stretching back to a 1971 VW Bug.

Have used the best oils I could find, Castrol GTX, Mobil One, Delo and Delvac in my diesels and now Pennzoil Platinum Synthetic.

Have also used OEM filters and Purolator Pure One, and sometimes a Fram years ago.

Oil change and products associated with doing 'em have always been a bone of contention on many of the forums.

I've been changing the oil in my pickups and 4Runners at 7500 mile intervals when using full synthetic and OEM filters.

Again, never had an oil related problem.

Your water pump, alternator, tranny, electrical system, moonroof, window's electrical components will go bad before your engine if you just change the oil with good stuff and use an OEM filter.

Have fun and enjoy your vehicle!

 

Thanks, I will.

 

Do you get the OEM oil filter from the dealer?? I would imagine that you would pay a premium if you get it from them. Any other place to get it for a more reasonable price??

 

Hey guys I'm a new guy here, finally joined in on the Tacoma crowd and bought my first tacoma a week ago today. Brand new '09 4x4 DC manual tranny. I love it, already got 400 miles on it. Anways I registered because I wanted to ask something and I thought this thread would be the best. Is there any sort of "break in" period where I need to change out the oil that originally came with truck? I know that most new cars have a special oil that you have to change after a certain amount of miles, and I couldnt find anything in the manual about it.