87 Toyota Camry ? about changing Oil Interval - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

hardyrxp · 04-09-2010, 05:39 PM

Hello to all,
Here is a good question for everyone they say now to change your oil with (regular non synthetic oil) every 3k or so. So my question then is why does it say in my owners manual for my 87 Camry to change the oil every 6k and in my 1990 Honda its says every 7,5k? This does not make any sense to me there is little difference in the oil from back then and why should I change it every 3k if the owners manual is telling me change it every 6k? Please advise here and give input as I am confused thanks for your help.
Dave

jamblaell · 04-09-2010, 07:04 PM

You could read for days on end about the back and forth arguments about oil change intervals on the internet. I doubt anyone knows the actual answer, but I would lean towards what the owners manual says for the appropriate car.

hardyrxp · 04-09-2010, 07:08 PM

Hello there,
Thanks for giving me the info I believe my manual says 6k for extreme conditions driving. Thanks again Dave

Mike Gerber · 04-10-2010, 02:19 AM

Dave,

I own a 94 and a 2007 Camry. The manual for the 07 recommends changing the oil every 5000 miles, so it seems some manufacturers are backtracking a bit away from the really long oil change intervals. It even has a light that comes on at 5000 miles to remind you to change the oil. The oils are probably better today than they have ever been. That and the fact that the oil change intervals are going back to shorter intervals is the basis for my previous statement.

Personally, I have always changed my oil every 3000 miles or 3 months. It's cheap insurance in my mind for the most expensive part of your car. When you do the changes yourself, it's relatively inexpensive.

Mike

hardyrxp · 04-10-2010, 02:56 PM

Thanks Mike you are the best and everyone else on here as well who has helped me with my numerous ?'s....

Too bad you are not a little closer to me we could go to a meet up event about camrys I don't go anymore but if I had someone to meet me there I would go again.
Dave

AlmightyCamry777 · 04-14-2010, 02:01 PM

Oils are better today then say 40 years ago, but not hugely better (if they are so good now, why did toyota 1FMZE V6 engines have SLUDGE issues today in 2010?) .

I used to use synthetic but couldnt stand leaving the oil in long enough to justify the extra cost. I prefer changing oil to changing engines so i change oil every 2500-3000. I use cheapo filters and good (dino) oil. I have never worn out an engine (although i admit to blowing up one or two) and decided a long time ago that changing oil often is a good plan, if your plan is to keep your car until the wheels fall off.

hardyrxp · 04-14-2010, 03:19 PM

Hello there,
Thanks for answering my questions. ? for you why does everyone on here keep using the term "dino" oil and what the hell is it? I can't believe I don't know I think it is regular oil like Quaker state correct? Well here is another question what happens if you let the oil go to long without oil change what is sludge build up? Please advise me here as I am new to this and don't know what is too long to go without oil change. I usually go 4-5k depending on how much highway driving I do. If a lot of city driving then 3-4k if highway 4-5k. Thanks for your help Dave

white90dx · 04-14-2010, 04:07 PM

dino = dinosaur = fossil fuels = standard (non-synthetic) oil... though, most fossil fuels come from plant material.... that's another story though.

If you really want to know how long a good oil change interval is for your particular motor is, you will have do do oil analysis to check. When the oil looses viscosity, detergents break down, or gets contaminated or diluted, then its time for a change. No reason to do it before that point.

I have run all my gen2 cars with 5k intervals. The first one was going strong after 267k miles (crashed), my Alltrac is good at 135k (no worse than when I bought it, at least). I even run my 3s-gte with 5k intervals, though that is with synthetic oil. My WRX gets 7.5k oil change intervals unless I do a track day.

Use a decent filter (ie, not Fram) and just change the oil when you feel like it.

-Charlie

hardyrxp · 04-14-2010, 04:20 PM

Wow thanks for the thorough answer. I thought is what it was and yes I do the change myself now before I used to get ripped off by J LUBE or walmart. The filter I use is a pure one from advance auto not the best but better then fram. So that is good to hear that you used regular (dino) oil in your 2nd gen's and you changed at 5k. That is what I am doing about the same sometimes I will change it sooner 4k if I drive in the city a lot. What happens if you go too long with no oil change? I am guessing sludge build up but I still don't clearly understand what that is? Thanks for your help and advising me.
Dave

Mike Gerber · 04-14-2010, 05:04 PM

Dave,

Read the article at the top of this page titled "SLUDGE" and look closely at the picture. That will tell you and show you what sludge is:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=424744

Mike

hardyrxp · 04-14-2010, 05:39 PM

Thanks Mike,
So I guess that is what happens to all the BAD Car owners out there who don't change their oil on a regular basis. I have always wanted to know what happens if you don't change your oil now I know thanks again.
Dave

white90dx · 04-14-2010, 07:35 PM

Half to 2/3 the way down that page is a good post on oil change intervals...

That's some good reading too.

-Charlie

hardyrxp · 04-14-2010, 10:55 PM

Hello white90dx,
Thanks for the info I have a request of you. I would like to see pictures of this motor 1990 Camry 3S-GTE 5spd - 280hp prowling the streets. The reason is because I like it and would like to see what the motor looks like or just a factory motor picture would do as well because I don't know what this motor look likes.

white90dx · 04-15-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardyrxp

Hello white90dx,
Thanks for the info I have a request of you. I would like to see pictures of this motor 1990 Camry 3S-GTE 5spd - 280hp prowling the streets. The reason is because I like it and would like to see what the motor looks like or just a factory motor picture would do as well because I don't know what this motor look likes.

The motor is from an ST205 Celica GT4. There isn't much to see except the intercooler in pictures:

I have already started the disassembly process to swap the motor over to my Alltrac, so its technically not prowling the streets anymore.

-Charlie

AlmightyCamry777 · 04-15-2010, 01:37 PM

one of the smartest things you can do is change your own oil. I have seen, read and heard so many horror stories, many of them here, about idiot technicians at a lot of these jiffylube type places: underfilling, overfilling, wrong filter, wrong oil, drain plug too loose/tight/stripped out. You'd think the manager of the place could hire a moron or two that at least had sense enough to succesfully accomplish the rocket science known as an oil change. But too often this simply isn't the case.

After being burned myself several times, I don't trust mechanics and only turn my car over to them as a last resort.