First oil change on new 3rd gen

Well its hard sometimes to accept the engineers know more than you.

 

The manual says to replace the oil and filter at 5,000 miles if any of the following apply:

1. If you drive on dirt roads or dusty roads.

2. If you tow, use a car-top carrier, or drive with heavy loads.

3. If you make repeated trips in temperatures below 32 degrees F or less.

4. If you have extensive idling or driving at low speeds for long distances.

It’s about $40 in supplies to change the oil in the driveway, but premature engine wear can be expensive. There really isn’t a wrong answer whether to change the oil at 5,000 miles or 10,000 miles. It’s not about whether you are smarter than the Toyota engineers. You make your choices and you deal with the consequences, if any.

 

Correct.

 

Brand new I’d follow and go with factory on it. Think warranty items with it.

 

Apparently you think the engineers have the final say at the automotive companies and only Toyota engineers are the ones that are right?


Based on the description of normal driving conditions, 95% of people should not go 10K miles between changes.

 

What’s you math here, skippy?

 

Engineers don’t write owners manuals. They write service manuals. Corporate and marketing departments write the owners manual and reference engineer specs as desired.

 

I’d hope so.

 

I changed mine at 1000 then again at 5000 after Toyota did their "free" tire rotation and inspection. Brought it back at 10000 miles for oil change and tire rotation. at 15000 miles, I changed the oil again. When I hit 20000, I will take it back to the dealer for the last dealer oil change and tire rotation. This should possibly cover any dealer inquires for warrenty work. I hope never to see the inside of a dealer shop again.

 

Not really, we don't write service manuals either. With the exception of startups, all documentation I've ever produced is for other engineers (including externally). Companies this size typically have technical publications/writing teams who produce all of the manuals for customers (service is considered a customer). Typically engineers work hand-in-hand with the tech writers to check for completeness, accuracy, consistency, etc. but we don't write the content. Even the illustrations in service manuals are simplified versions of assembly drawings.

 

The toyota engineers that designed these engines have likely done extensive lubrication tests on them, before they're sent out to Joe public. I would guess they have figured in a margin of safety also, just like these engines are detuned for tacoma's opposed to ones in the Lexus.
They have their normal, and severe driving conditions listed in an owners manual for those to figure out where they're at, whether they need 5k, or 10k oil changes. It's isn't rocket science. If you're not sure just do 5k....it's that simple. I know how I use my tacoma. All I can say 10k works for me.

 

Have you ever tried to work on something that an engineer designed and went "WTF" [fudge] in your mind? Especially when you see a far better way or solution that would have cost no more or more time to assemble?

Because I do that all the time.

I do first oil changes early on everything simply because break in as all the parts mate together can release a lot of microscopic metal into the oil and manufacturing swarf from casting occasionally happens.

In the end, it can't hurt anything and is, at the worst, a wash. It also give you a chance to crawl under your ride and look for any issues to include fluid leaks of all kinds.

 

As a mechanic for over 20 years there is one thing I am certain of - at some point an aspiring young mechanic stole someone's girlfriend, and that someone went on to be an automotive engineer, and then that person made a deal with all automotive engineers everywhere to forever get revenge on mechanics by making everything way more complicated and difficult than it needs to be! Joking aside and back on topic, just do what makes you feel most comfortable. Who cares that everyone has an opinion on what is best, they aren't the one's paying your bills. In my many years of experience I can tell you that everything as far as maintenance predictions are generalized numbers based off a generalized environment and generalized vehicle use. This is why they include disclaimers in the intervals stating things that may be considered severe use. I can have two identical vehicles that both follow the same exact mileage intervals for service and see two completely different outcomes because they have different diving habits and patterns. There are more variables that contribute to this for any manufacturer to include in a manual to the average consumer, so again I say just do what makes you comfortable based off of how you use your vehicle. People can argue about what is and isn't necessary all they want but for me peace of mind outweighs necessity every time.

 

Toyota says intervals of 5k to 10k based on how it’s used, it’s 5k / 6 months for me based on my needs.

My truck is about to sit for awhile, will maybe get a few couple of hundred miles over the next 6 months, so it gets an oil change before 5k

 

You could likely stretch that to a year, and be fine. I know a few guys here that own new trucks of different manufactures that do the same. Less chance of screwing something up.

 

I changed mine @ 1100, then 5k afterword's... oil aint expensive.Trucks are.

 

Lol

 

I just did my sixth oil change at 60k with OEM filter and Mobil1.

 

You really can’t go wrong changing oil early. I always have with every new vehicle.
Get a GOOD filter tool, the MotivX tool is awesome.

 

In 30 years, let’s compare our oil change intervals and engine longevity.