May want to change the oil WAY before 10k miles on your new tacoma.

I changed out my original oil at 2k miles. Had dealer do free oil change for 10k. I am comfortable doing 10k oci from here on out

 

My motto

 

Then why post in the oil thread? Seems a little counterproductive to me.

 

I bought a 2009 Camry, and the big controversy was the automatic transmission fluid was “for the lifetime of vehicle,” no changes ever. You take it to a dealership and they said it was not required to change, but if you take it to a Jiffy Lube they say no problem. People thought it would be good to flush, because this is what they had always done with their transmission in the past. How could these engineers at Toyota know better than me? Was not uncommon for the transmission to fail shortly after having the fluid changed. Flash forward 12 years and 230k miles later and my car still has the “lifetime” fluid in the transmission and it works great.

My point is, I guess, just do whatever you want. This forum has been discussing the topic ad nauseum for almost 5 years now, and people are still split on it.

 

Much appreciate the info. The more I think about it the more I find myself just sticking with what Toyota recommends. I like your style.

 

But what’s there definition of a “lifetime “ for a car part? Somewhere there is a calculation for this. I wonder how long they think a car will “live”. No sarcasm here actually curious.

 

I think that is a valid question, and tbf I don’t have a good answer that doesn’t involve assumptions on my part. I always felt if the transmission made it to 200k in my experience that is pretty good. I’ve broken a lot of manual transmissions in my life, because they’re in sports cars and I beat them mercilessly with no mechanical sympathy (I was young and dumb), but the automatics I’ve had always lasted pretty long with no issues. I know certain vehicles are known for transmission failures, and there were reports of Camry’s having issues, although it’s up in the air how many of those issues are self induced by people flushing the transmission when it wasn’t designed for that. So far, my anecdotal experience, at 220k and no issues, and plan to keep driving it till it dies.

 

We are 1/5 into the 21st century. All your anecdotes and stories that your PaPa told you dont mean much. You paid for the best so follow the recommendations Toyota provides. Or not.

 

Who’s anecdotes?

 

I personally change my oil every 500 miles. Even though Toyota has spent millions on research. I believe used motor oil from my friends POS 1996 Mazda b2300se with 300k+ miles is better than waiting 10k miles

 

2013 Tacoma results approaching 100k miles

 

Take it for what its worth I have a buddy that owns a shop that I asked this question to. He said for new motors running full syn he recommends 1k 3k then normal intervals (10k in the case of this truck) after.

 

I just wanted to post some additional results and then ask a mod, maybe @HomerTaco to put the post with reports at the beginning.
I'm curious why titanium and iron content are so high in mine. May send them a fresh bottle of oil to sample.

 

It would be interesting to see a fresh bottle vs that same oil after run in your engine (ideally from the same big jug too). That's the only way to know for sure what was added internally.

 

Back in the day it was recommend oil changes every 3k miles, but now oils have so much better additive packages. With the addition of these latest synthetics one can easily go 7.5k miles before changing. My 2001 tundra saw a lot of highway miles every week. I did oil changes once a year on that truck for the nearly 300k miles it was driven. That engine still ran good as new when i sold it. I see no issues changing ones oil in a tacoma as toyota recommends. From the posts i read from others they have more to fear from running excessive engine rpm than these oil change recommendations.

 

Not a mod.

 

Meanwhile in 1984...



People keep talking about "back in the day," but these are the stickers that used to come on Toyotas 35 years ago.

Jeff

 

And a page 27 reminder that this was ABOUT THE INITIAL OIL CHANGE. Not subsequent.

 

You're a trooper, I made an on-topic post out of respect for your dedication =)

 

It's an important distinction, but it would appear this thread is no longer about that. Haha.

Jeff