baldmonk

My uncle just came to the U.S last year. He bought this 98' tacoma, and he had put 20k since he got it, yet he haven't got any oil change. Just like the title, any major effect?? check up needed??

L33T35T 4Runner

a new motor might help

UKMyers

Guess he get's to find out how bulletproof Toyota Engines are. I would say two things First you may not notice any effects immediatly but I'm guessing that it couldn't have been good for the long term life of the engine and Second teach your uncle that spending 20 minutes and 20 bucks to change your oil is a GOOD thing!!!

rchavis

Well, Depends on the type/brand oil that's in there and the type of driving he's been doing. I'd recommend a change ASAP and using engine flush, a good non-kerosene brand. Other than that, the motor most likely will be okay. Will run better once an oil change has been done.
There will more than likely be some abnormal wear to the bearings due to lack of lubrication. Oil looses it's lubricating abilities for certain at around 8,000 miles (Most dino oil anyway).
Just excelerated wear. but if he's not going to keep the truck for 300,000 miles or so than it may not matter.
Just my .02

kyle_22r

actually, oil never wears out, the additives do

i've seen toyota trucks go well over this distance and come out fine. not that i'd recommend it. my truck's recommended oil change interval is 10,000 miles!

JSB

My father in-laws Bimmer gets an oil change every 8000 miles. When he first got it, he took it in to have the oil changed at 3000 miles, and they gave it back to him, and told him to bring it back when this little light comes on. It came on at 8000 miles. The dealer said that was normal. I thought it was insane.

A co-worker of my had a chevy S-10 pick up, brand new. He never changed the oil. At 26k the motor siezed. I woun't share my thoughts on that.

I'd say, what's done is done. Do like others have said and change the oil. An not just this once either. Just kidding.
I went 5000 this past time, and I felt like I was killing my motor. I can't fathom 20k.

MTL_4runner

Regardless of mileage, if my oil gets to the color of dark beer, I change it.....if it smells burnt or like there is fuel mixed with it, I change it.....I obviously also follow the mileage rules as well. It really does depend alot on the environment (temp outside), your driving style and the type of oil you use.

If you can't see the dipstick through the oil.....get it changed quick!!!

Victor

Tell him to use a quality synthetic. That way if he goes 10k or more he's still protected. Using dino oil and not changing it is a sure way to ruin an engine. Dino is good for people that remember to do regular changes.

bamachem

Have any of you ever wondered why the manufacturer of your car will recommend a 7500 mile interval for oil changes, but the ones who tell you to change it every 3000 miles are the one's charging you the money? The oil change intervals used to be that high for everyone, then people started telling us 5000 miles, then 3500 miles, now 3000 miles... next thing you know, they'll be telling you to change with every tank of gas. IMHO, This practice is irresponsible and unethical considering the limited supply of the world's oil reserves.

These people telling you to change every 3000 miles are essentially DOUBLING their business and therefore DOUBLING THEIR POFIT POTENTIAL while bilking you for the oil changes that you may/may not need.

However, by waiting too long, the dealerships and car manufacturers that make their profits on parts and services will get more business since bad oil = more breakdowns and more $$$. It's a "catch-22", and the best thing to do is to play it somewhere in the middle based on your climate and driving habits.

Do yourself a favor and check the oil every time you fill up with gas or maybe even every other time - hell, once a month even! Once the oil turns dark or has any hint of looking opaque or discolored, change the oil. However, even if the oil looks fine at 7500, then go ahead and change it due to the break-down of the additives AND ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CAR.

If you go with an extended-drain synthetic, you will pay more - probally double- but you will get more for your money, like 10,000 more miles per oil change!

Just be smart and don't be dooped by someone out to make a profit at any expense...

SLC Punk

That reminds me of when I worked as a tech at a Ford/Mercury dealership. A lady bought a new Sable (1997 I think), it came in with 30k miles on it and a nice rod knock. We drained the oil and nothing came out. We then took off the oil pan and it was like tar!! The shop advisor called her and asked if she had ever changed her oil, she said that she thought that you were only suppose to do it every 60k!! That little mistake cost her $2K.

But that was a crappy 3.0L. I think that if your uncle changes the oil, he will be ok. It won't be one of those Toyota's that reach 150K, it probably now has the life span of a domestic engine.

Phisherman

I usually change mine every 5000 at the most now. I used to do it whenever I had free time after I hit the 5000 mark, and that resulted in a horrible knock and a new engine at 96k. I lucked out and had my 100k warranty cover it. The total cost to Fidelity was $4230!!! It was just a new block, refinished pistions and new seals. It's kinda funny considering my tires made my odo off so really I had like 105k. The warranty also covered a rental car if I was 21+, but they let me have it anyway and I put 1600 miles on it in the week I had it!

WATRD

Spend some quality time on this site for what the effects of that interval might be. http://www.motoroilbible.com/

If the engine is in good shape and the oil is a high quality synthetic, it may not be as bad as you might think. If it's nasty old dino oil and the engine is not in good shape, that interval might be catastrophic.

Bob K

I change the oil in my 4Runner every 5K using Mobil 1.

My wife has a BMW 325 and we have it serviced at the dealer they use Castrol synthetic and the service interval is determined by how you drive the car. When it starts the computer tells you the milage left till the next oil change and bases this on the revolutions of the crank. When we get it changed it always says 15K till next oil change, this can change quickly depending on how hard you drive the car.

baldmonk

He did check to see if the oil level is low, and put new oil into it, but no filter changed. He getting his oil change as im writing this post. Hopefully all go well.

rimpainter.com

Same here.