Oil change question

[hardknox00001]

If your really into long mileage oil changes, read up on adding a bypass filter system + a good synthetic + oil sample testing, you'd be surprised how far you can go without changing the oil.

[wileecoyote]

Toyota engineers do an awful lot of expensive research and testing to design their engines to be as efficient and effective as possible, and those same engineers that designed the engine also defined the manufacturer specification for the oil change frequency and type of oil / fuel to be used in each vehicle. Some manufacturers may be guilty of recommending sub-standard oil and fuel specs, presumably to sell more expensive oil or help out the marketing team, but Toyota doesn't do that. You can tell this by looking at the specs for many different Toyota vehicles, and you will see that the recommended oil change frequency and oil / fuel types are different for each engine type and model variant. My last RAV4 called for regular oil every 3000-5000 miles and premium fuel, but my current Tundra calls for full synthetic 0w-20 every 5000-7000 miles and 87 octane. So I trust the advice from the Toyota engineers, and I don't question their wisdom based on internet opinions, joe at the jiffy slop, or the clerk behind the parts counter. And oils are often vastly different across brands, types, and lots. Mobil1 full synthetic 0w-20, for example, is quite different from Toyota full synthetic 0w-20, so stick with the brand and type recommended by the Toyota engineers. Unfortunately in my case the Tundra takes 7.5 quarts and a new filter with 2 o-ring seals for each change, so the parts alone cost me $65 plus 1.5 hours labor to change my own oil every 5000 miles. Doing it right isn't cheap, but then neither is replacing a $45,000 truck or a $10,000 engine. I'm on 7 years old with 130,000 miles and it still runs like brand new.

[Patton]

. Both the 4 and 6 cyl Camry motors are not known to have excessive wear or fouling of the engine oil.

I have been a Toyota fan since before I had my license, they have served my family well. After recommending a Camry to my brother-in-law he bought one. At 58k miles on a 2010, 2.4l 4cyl it floated a valve. The vehicle had been taken care of for the most part, just your normal 6k mile oil changes. Toyota refused to warranty the motor. After extensive research we found hundreds of stories of the engines experiencing issues under 100k miles. The Toyota was bought in Atlanta but the local Toyota dealer in Chattanooga agreed to help and replaced the engine for $800. The manufacturer said the engine had been abused, but there is no way it had been. The mechanic at the Toyota dealer said it was one of the worst engines ever put in a car. Keep immaculate service records so you can argue that you did your part. Corporate Toyota was not facilitating at all and I believe that I am driving my last Toyota.

http://toyota.pissedconsumer.com/2009-camry-le-buring-oil-20110715249077.html

http://www.toyotaproblems.com/problems/excessive-oil-consumption.shtml

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Camry/2009/engine/excessive_oil_consumption.shtml

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/toyota-camry.html Edited August 19, 2014 by Patton

[frankmako]

back in the 60's and 70's i changed oil/filter every 3,000 miles with good dino oil.  motors and filters were not made as good as today.  also most roads were dirt and the dust was hard on all filters/motors.  fast forward to now, motors, filters, roads are much better and you have many more different oils to choose from.  i have older vehicles around my place with the newest a 2004 f250 diesel.  i still run dino oil but i go longer between changes, around 7,000 plus miles.    so it does not matter what oil/filter you use, just use it and change it.  today oils/filters are good no matter the blend. 

[Volphin]

All my rides get Valvoline full syn, and their interval is 6500-7500 miles, depending on when I feel like doing them.  The Honda and Hyundai get OEM filters (I get them at cost), but the Durango gets a K&N for the stroked 408.   :usa:

[NextExit]

If your vehicle came with synthetic then stick with it.  My vehicles are so old that I wouldn't switch to synthetic because I don't want to see it leak like a sieve.