bob200587

I just bought oil, filter and air filter last week in preparation for an oil change on my 4runner.

After looking at my gas log, I noticed that I haven't changed my oil since 12/26/06.

What is the consensus on oil changes based on time? I know most people here agree that the 3000 mile change is outdated and unnecessary.

On conventional oil is 5 months or 5000 miles a good interval?

I bought synthetic blend this time. what about that? longer than 5 or 5000?

If you go longer than 5000, should you change the oil filter between changes?

EDIT: I forgot to mention that since 12/26/06 I have driven around 2000 miles since then.

rdlsz24

I run Mobil 1 full synthetic and change it and the filter every 5000 miles. Personally I wouldn't go more than 5000 miles if I could possibly help it. I don't really go by the time thing. I figure if the truck is parked and the oil is sitting in the pan it isn't getting dirty.

Rob

04 Rocko Taco

Im with you Rob, I think miles or a REALLY LONG time is the onyl reason to change oil. 5000 miles sounds good, although I have been guilty of going over.

bob200587

I was under the impression that synthetic oil had longer intervals than conventional oils. I also was under the impression that if you run those longer intervals that changing the oil filter between changes is necessary.

spaugh

I hardly put any miles on my runner and don't see the poing in changing the oil based on time. Like previously mentioned, if the car is parked then the oil isn't deteriorating. Its not plutonium, there is no half life. Now if you live in a humid area it could collect water? Not a problem for me, SD is dry as a bone. This is just my reasoning, and it could be flawed.

X-AWDriver

I think it is about time to a point since even if I only put 5k on mine a year I'd change the oil at a year.
I go about 9k between changes on my M1 syn which that would be about every 8-9 months. Even if oil is sitting it collects moisture and it can get acidic just sitting but synthetic is better about handling this crap that would collect in it but I'd still change it at least by a year's time.

bob200587

What if the oil looks dirty? Even though I've only driven less than 2000 miles since my last oil change, the oil looks filthy, and it's hasn't done much but sit in the driveway.

X-AWDriver

Hmmm,older trucks might be a little different if the oil is gettign really dirty quickly. Even after 9k my oil is just slightly darker than new M1 and I have 130k on my engine. I've been fortunate with this engine too as it burns only about a 5th of a quart in that time.

rdlsz24

Remember that when draining your old oil out you won't get it all. So the first time you fire up after changing the oil the new oil is going to mix with the old black stuff.

Rob

bob200587

yea, I don't know.... I know some of it mixes with the old oil that doesn't come out. I think I may drain the oil and then pour some seafoam through so that I can hopefully clean the sump a bit more.

I just went and looked at the oil, and I can still see the markings on the dipstick through the oil, so it's not THAT dirty, but it's still got some dirt.

BT17R

Great question that applies to all of my stuff. I spread miles among 3-4 rigs so each accrues maybe 3K/year. I change oil and filter every 6 months regardless of mileage. I started doing it years ago, even running synthetic, to stay within warranty time/mileage limits spec'd in the maintenance manuals. I don't know if those limits still apply, but it impresses a potential resale buyer.

BT17R

Just checked the 2007 Scheduled Maintenance Guide. The time (6 months) OR mileage (5,000), whichever comes first, still applies to recommended oil and filter change intervals during normal service.

Anyway, I'm not about to second guess a few hundred engineers, especially during warranty.

keithguts

I change my oil every 3K as I belive in doing this. But I also have to say the I do not use full synthetic.

Being we are talking oil, I was told that using full synthetic oil may cause leakes is this true and why would it do that. I belive that people use full synthetic because they want to go that exter 2-3K miles. What is the real difference of full synthetic?

X-AWDriver

Synthetic can cleanup seals which causes the old oil/dirt to loosen up and reveal the original leak on SOME older motors but if it's under 150k I'd still switch over.

Synthetic oils deal with heat (temperature stability) and cold much better and they have much better pourability at temps below zero and synthetic doesn't gunk up and resists burning. Synthetic is superior in every way over dino oil if you are going for longer oil change intervals or putting alot of stress on the motor in the heat or cold.

Really the important thing is to do oil changes when you feel it needs to be done since people's opinions vary. I personally don't like going over 4k on dino or 10k on syn.

In turbo applications I'd use nothing but synthetic but NA motors that aren't punished too hard dino oil is fine.

bob200587

Again, my understanding of synthetic oil causing leaks is this:

Synthetic clean and lubricate better, and they may wipe away some deposits that may be holding back a leak.

Synthetic oil cannot CAUSE a leak, it can only reveal a leak that is already there and merely is not known.

It may also make a known leak worse, but I'm unsure about that.

I also believe that synthetic oil is superior in it's lubricative properties as well as being cleaner and having greater longevity.

magicninja

I got my oil changed last February, when I got my truck back from the repair shop. I'm going to be changing my own oil from now on. My grandfather who owned the truck before me always had it serviced at the dealer, but I figure I can save 20 bucks by doing it myself. I went to Autozone the other day to pickup some fuel injector cleaner, and I was looking at the oil they had. I was wondering which kind to get, because it seemed like there was alot. I've got a 22re, and im at about 58,xxx miles. What kind of oil do you guys suggest, and what would I need to do to start running synthetic oil ?

rdlsz24

Wow that's low miles. If you want to run synthetic get the 5 gallon jug of Mobil 1 5W-30 at WalMart for under $25. Then get a decent filter (I use Wix from O'Reilly's in all our cars) and you will be good to go.

Rob

bob200587

I use valvoline or mobil oils, and purolator filters.