Oil changes

Hello, I’m a new Tacoma owner as of September , 21 TRD sport 2 WD. I downsized coming from a full size GMC that I owned for 21 years. I like the truck but have some concerns as I have NEVER owned a vehicle with full synthetic.

I have always done 3,000 mile oil changes and have no problem with going to 5,000 interval, but being old school I went to the local dealer ( not where I bought) and wanted them to change factory oil out at 1100 miles. I paid, they charged me for oil and filter kit etc. etc. $70.00. The reaction I got when I went in was one of disbelief, then after I dropped the vehicle and went to work I get a text exactly 37 minutes later saying the truck was done. I did not mark the filter or anything like that because I didn’t think it was necessary, but did crawl under and look. I’m not sure they changed it. I wanted to take advantage of the 2 year, 25000 mile free maintenance thing. My real question is: unless I change it, the interval to meet their schedule will be at 6,000 miles. What’s the consensus if I waited until that mileage? It doesn’t sit well with me..

 

Following your owner's manual is highly recommended.

Either regular or severe duty, whichever makes you happy.

Many will be here soon to declare the manual is wrong.

Consensus ?

 

@Plain Jane Taco
@Delta09

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Welcome to TW!

Congrats on your new truck.

The owners manual is a great guide for the maintenance schedule. You can choose to follow it, or alter the intervals to something that you are comfortable with. Your truck, your time, your money.

 

Welcome to TW!

If you like your truck, skip the free maintenance thing if you're concern of them not doing the right/correct thing. If you don't care too much, go for it. I personally don't really trust the free maintenance stuff all that much. They loose a lot of money. 70*4 = almost $300, that's per vehicle. I think they'll try to do stuff to reduce that.

If you want to keep the quality of your truck go by your manual and full synthetic.

 

Yea, I’ve already decided I’m on my own on this, and not used to someone else doing oil changes anyway. It’s full synthetic 0w-20.

 

Welcome aboard!
Lots of threads here discussing oil change interval. You’ll be fine at 6000 miles.
Here’s a recent thread on oil change interval, lots of points of view and lots more joking around lol.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/why-5000-miles-oil-change-interval-i’m-a-believer.751637/

 

It's mileage or time. I have a 15 V-6 Use full synthetic 5-30w change every 6 months or 5000. Oil is cheaper than a new motor.

 

I think we need a seperate forum for oil changes, TRD type debates (I personally need OR for the curb at walmart), rust prevention advice and tire debates.

 

You can get your oil changed twice for free. I used mine at 5k and 10k, basically free service is over. I’ll continue to change it myself at 5k intervals. I put myself in the severe duty category. I’ll probably switch to 5w30 for Alabama climate and to stock the same oil for all my vehicles.

 

Without getting my foot stuck in the tar pit here, I'm just going to say do your own maintenance. It's not difficult. K Bye!

 

I’m pretty sure the dealership gets paid for the free service.

 

Somebody's loosing money on those services.

 

BTW, what's the oil grade for these free services now a day?

 

Whatever they tell you is in the bulk barrel.

And rest assured, you paid for those 'free' changes when you bought the truck.