Why the 5000 mile synthetic oil change interval?

on 3rd gens, dependin on engine .. its serviced at 5k oil changes on 10k.

 

This is reply I received from Ask Toyota website. I included my VIN in my question to them. My vehicle has always been serviced by dealership using 0W-20, which is synthetic.

"Toyota has transitioned its new vehicles away from using conventional motor oil to using 0W-20 weight synthetic oil. This change is largely the result of higher fuel economy requirements and tightening emissions certification requirements.

Owners of the particular Toyotas that require synthetic oil could see a rise in the fuel economy rating by about a half mile per gallon. The oil change interval for normal driving conditions will be longer, changing from every 5,000 miles or 6 months (whichever comes first) to 10,000 miles or 12 months (whichever comes first). This will mean fewer oil changes with lower maintenance costs and less inconvenience.

If your vehicle is driven under "Special Operating Conditions," the oil change intervals will remain at 5,000 miles or 6 months (whichever comes first):

Special Operating Conditions include:

1. Driving mainly on dirt or dusty roads
2. Towing a trailer consistently, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading
3. Used primarily for repeated trips of less than five miles in temperatures below 32°F/0°C
4. Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for a long distance such as police, taxi or door-to-door delivery use

There will not be a change to the interval that the oil change reminder (MAINT REQD) light illuminates. Toyota will still recommend the tires be rotated every 5,000 miles or 6 months, along with a visual inspection of the brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs."

 

Communication between Toyota and their customers and dealers regarding oil change intervals for the Tacoma continues to be unacceptable.

The response from the 'Ask Toyota' website posted above by El Cid uses future tense.

It is thus unclear if these changes have actually been made.

I'm the owner of a 2TR-FE powered 2015 Tacoma with 3 years power train warranty left, and have not received any communication from Toyota that states my engine has been approved for and will be warrantied for anything other than the 5,000 mile or 6 month oil and filter change interval as stated in the warranty and service guide.

This page on the Toyota website has been updated. It used to reference the 2TR-FE engine as an exception. The new version does not, thus implying a 10,000 mile oil and filter change interval.

What are the oil change intervals using synthetic oil?

• Only Toyota vehicles in which 0w-20 synthetic oil is required (except 3UR-FBE Engines*) have been approved for extended oil change intervals of 10,000-miles/12-months. (However, you should continue to check the oil level regularly and top off if needed. That will help your engine get the full benefit of synthetic oil.)

• Vehicles in which 0w-20 is an option to 5w-20 mineral oil, (or 5w-30), will continue to require 5,000-mile/6-month oil change intervals, even if
  $59 0w-20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil
  0w-20 oil is used.

• In the case of vehicles with 10,000 mile oil change intervals, the 5,000 mile service interval has not been eliminated. The traditional 5,000 mile maintenance procedures (such as tire rotation) will continue to be required, and the fluid levels (such as brake fluid) will need to be checked and adjusted at this time.

• If the vehicle operation meets the standard criteria for "Special Operating Conditions" such as: driving off-road, on dirt roads, towing a trailer, making repeated short trips under 32˚ F, or extensive idling; the engine oil must be replaced at 5,000 mile intervals, regardless of what type of oil is used.

*The 3UR-FBE (Flex Fuel Tundra / Sequoia) are the exceptions to this new change interval program; these engines have not been approved for the 10,000 mile interval at this time. A 5,000-mile/6-month oil change interval is still required for these vehicles. Also, the Flex Fuel 3UR-FBE requires a 2,500 mile interval when operated on E85.


I had to argue with the dealer during the 2 year ToyotaCare period twice about changing the oil at the recommended (and thus required for warranty) 6 month interval.

The ToyotaCare period is over, but I have 3 years left on the power train warranty.

My only alternative is to follow the published maintenance schedule and change both oil and filter at 5,000 miles or 6 months.

In the event a warranty claim is necessary the maintenance manual requirements will be controlling under the terms of Toyota's limited warranty.

I have purchased sufficient stock of TGMO 0W-20 and Toyota filters from the dealer to satisfy the requirement and intend to photograph and document my own service.

Now, when the warranty is expired, all bets are off.

Will the oil go 10,000 miles or a year? Certainly. I intend to go to annual changes (I drive 6,000 miles a year) and use the excellent Fram Ultra filter. I have no doubt the body will fall off the truck or the frame will rot into pieces before the engine wears out.

By the way guys, the word on the street (and from the geeks at BITOG) is that these modern Toyota engines produce very little particulate matter and what they do produce is held in suspension by the additives in modern synthetic oil. Many people run a good filter for 2 oil change intervals. The Denso made Toyota branded filter is average at best. It likely should not be pushed beyond one OCI. Any synthetic media filter should easily go 10,000 miles, and probably more.

 

This topic has beat to death on TW

Do whatever you want. Change at 3k, 5k or 10k.

For me, it's a fresh OEM filter and Mobil 1 every 5k.

Why? Because it works for my schedule plus I grease the shaft and rotate tires every other oil change.

 

I will reference a thread from another discussion site, if I may.

It's a tad lengthy, and probably not of interest to the majority here...

But... there is a good description of the Magnuson Moss Warranty act contained therein, as well as much good and refreshingly accurate discussion of lube product advertising claims vs. warranty claims reality.

If you have warranty left that you seek to not void by your own actions, this is a useful thread to plow through.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/u...07/Good_idea_to_change_oil_filter#Post4470907

Pay attention to dnewton3.

If you already know everything, feel free to skip it.

 

naww, I do it every 3,000

 

Haha...I agree with you, same schedule for me.

However, I do enjoy reading oil threads just to hear what folks have to say. Oil paranoia runs rampant on forums for some reason...

 

OCI about once a year now anywhere from 5k to 7.5k. Years Ago I did UOA with reports saying I could go longer on my OCI, but then I was doing 7.5k in 4 months or less. Oil is usally 10w-30 syn cheapest on the shelf.

 

LOL Some of the replies in this thread.

I do 10k OCI in all of our vehicles because it's easy to keep track of. I use Amsoil signature 0w30 and Amsoil ea filters. This includes my Tacoma 1gr, wife's GX470 2uz, and the 6.0 in our 2013 2500 suburban. The gx has 110k and the burb has 175k, neither one consumes oil between changes and yes I do check it.

 

It is because you can't see the effects of what you are doing, so people have to convince themselves and others that they are doing the right thing. The truth is if you have put that much thought into engine oil, you are probably better off than 99% of the population in that department no matter your theory.

 

Can I have all your old parts please, lol.