1st oil change on V6 ---> not bad!

[eflw1029]

Finally racked up enough mileage to justify performing my first oil and filter change and all things considered it was NOT that bad. Next time around I'll remember to have a 14mm box wrench versus using the 14mm socket and ratch. Replacing the filtering element was not too bad also as I used a 15/16 socket and 1/2 inch ratchet. Since I was able to remove the oil filter cannister cleanly with a minimal amount of effort I now plan on using just a 3/8 inch ratchet because the Assenmacher cannister/oil filter tool has a receptable for use of a 3/8 inch ratchet. I still managed to spill a few drops of oil on my pristine driveway and almost left the Assenmacher connected to the oil cannister.

Most importantly, because I reside in NYC and my driveway is inclined down towards the house I made a single wooden ramp using 2 x 10's. Backed the car over the wooden ramp such that the driver side front wheel was on the 2nd of 3rd step. Total time for my first oil chage was around 20 minutes and I used 6 quarts of 5w30 Havoline. Still way too early to switch to synthetic. Only problem was I could not get any reading on my dipstick with the 6 quarts of oil. Drove the Camry on a short hop to Pathmark for the weekly specials and checked level prior to leaving the Pathmark lot. For those contemplating changing their own oil I suggest you omit replacing the cannister drain plug and instead just remove the cannister...that way you avoid having to replace both o-rings. Can anyone reply back and let me know if it is all right to use the green Prestone anti-freeze versus Toyota's pink stuff?...reason I ask is it's hard to chase down the pink stuff not to mention paying rip-off prices for Toyota maintenance items. I normally stock up when things go on sale such as genuine Toyota filters via the web but it's not cost effect to purchase fluids via the web because of cost prohibitive shipping costs.

[TRD VVTi]

No, do NOT add ANYTHING other than Toyota Long Life antifreeze. Don't even add tap water. It comes premixed for a reason. If you add any other antifreeze you just ruined all of it.

I'm not aware that Havoline meets the factory oil specifications either.

It sounds like you're doing stuff to your car incorrectly. I would recommend reading your owner's manual first.

[etc]

Why is that, I thought many vehicles came with synthetic pre-installed... I use Mobil 1 5w-30. Of course there are other synthetics available.

Thanks for the report

> Still way too early to switch to synthetic

[eflw1029]

Why wouldn't Havoline 5w30 meet Toyota factory spec's? Besides I along with others normally change oil and filters long before I rack up 5000 miles...more along the lines of 3-3500 miles between changes. My concern for the antifreeze is eventually a 2007 model year Camry will be 10 years old relegating it to a winter beater so why have to pour designer brand fluids so long as you change fluids as recommended by the manufacturer. Take for example air filters.....so long as you change them when required I cannot justify paying extra for the Toyota brand when other air filter manufacturers (NAPA, Purolator, WIX, Fram to name a few) certify their products to meet oem spec's. Wiper blades is another item which I refuse to pay for Toyota brands considering I normally change them out twice a year.

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by eflw1029

Why wouldn't Havoline 5w30 meet Toyota factory spec's? Besides I along with others normally change oil and filters long before I rack up 5000 miles...more along the lines of 3-3500 miles between changes. My concern for the antifreeze is eventually a 2007 model year Camry will be 10 years old relegating it to a winter beater so why have to pour designer brand fluids so long as you change fluids as recommended by the manufacturer. Take for example air filters.....so long as you change them when required I cannot justify paying extra for the Toyota brand when other air filter manufacturers (NAPA, Purolator, WIX, Fram to name a few) certify their products to meet oem spec's. Wiper blades is another item which I refuse to pay for Toyota brands considering I normally change them out twice a year.

I repeat, read your owner's manual. Toyota dealers use semi synthetic oil to meet Toyota's specifications.

Are you serious? Instead of having to change the coolant annually with regular coolant, you hardly ever have to change it with the long life coolant. The savings is in the interval. Quit crying about being hosed into buying "designer brand" fluids and you'll have the time to use your head.

Read the owner's manual.

[Mike Murrell]

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

Toyota dealers use semi synthetic oil to meet Toyota's specifications.

None of the Toyota dealers in my area use semi-synthetic or full-synthetic. I have yet to find a requirement for either of these in any of my Toyota owners manuals.

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

None of the Toyota dealers in my area use semi-synthetic or full-synthetic. I have yet to find a requirement for either of these in any of my Toyota owners manuals.

Use ILSAC multigrade engine oil GF-4.

Toyota even had a TSB regarding engine oil specs.


Every dealer I know of in North and South Carolina does. It's possible that they've changed though.

Does the oil that your Toyota dealers use meet those specs?

Does Havoline?

EDIT: Apparently Havoline does:

Havoline Motor Oils are formulated to provide excellent protection and performance to add more life to your car. Exceeds the requirements of API SM and ILSAC GF-4. Each grade of Havoline motor oil has been formulated to meet or exceed engine manufacturer’s requirements. Simply put, they can handle the heat, cold, and stop-and-go pressures of your everyday world.

It seems that alot (but not all) of the oil manufacturers have caught up to the GL-4 specification. Next up is GL-5 and the oil companies are trying to get that specification met without synthetics.

[secrecyguy]

The best time to use Synthetic oil, in my opinion, is start using it at 30,000 miles. But if it have over 100,000 miles than it's too late but I have heard people using it after it though.

I agree with you on the anti-freeze that Toyota make you buy their stuff but you have to use it though otherwise you will have problems later on.

Besides, Toyota anti-freeze should last for a very long time with no problems and no changes.

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by secrecyguy

The best time to use Synthetic oil, in my opinion, is start using it at 30,000 miles. But if it have over 100,000 miles than it's too late but I have heard people using it after it though.

I agree with you on the anti-freeze that Toyota make you buy their stuff but you have to use it though otherwise you will have problems later on.

Besides, Toyota anti-freeze should last for a very long time with no problems and no changes.

I started my Camry at 6,000 miles, an Iroc Z at over 100,000 miles, a Monte Carlo SS at over 100,000 miles, my Formula at 30,000 miles, and many more. My Dad started on his Olds at 108,000 miles and their Highlander at 5,000 miles. It's never too late, or too early. Although many recommend it after the engine is broken in, many cars come from the factory with synthetic oil in them from the start.

[Camry5genrocks]

Originally Posted by eflw1029

Finally racked up enough mileage to justify performing my first oil and filter change and all things considered it was NOT that bad. Next time around I'll remember to have a 14mm box wrench versus using the 14mm socket and ratch. Replacing the filtering element was not too bad also as I used a 15/16 socket and 1/2 inch ratchet. Since I was able to remove the oil filter cannister cleanly with a minimal amount of effort I now plan on using just a 3/8 inch ratchet because the Assenmacher cannister/oil filter tool has a receptable for use of a 3/8 inch ratchet. I still managed to spill a few drops of oil on my pristine driveway and almost left the Assenmacher connected to the oil cannister.

Most importantly, because I reside in NYC and my driveway is inclined down towards the house I made a single wooden ramp using 2 x 10's. Backed the car over the wooden ramp such that the driver side front wheel was on the 2nd of 3rd step. Total time for my first oil chage was around 20 minutes and I used 6 quarts of 5w30 Havoline. Still way too early to switch to synthetic. Only problem was I could not get any reading on my dipstick with the 6 quarts of oil. Drove the Camry on a short hop to Pathmark for the weekly specials and checked level prior to leaving the Pathmark lot. For those contemplating changing their own oil I suggest you omit replacing the cannister drain plug and instead just remove the cannister...that way you avoid having to replace both o-rings. Can anyone reply back and let me know if it is all right to use the green Prestone anti-freeze versus Toyota's pink stuff?...reason I ask is it's hard to chase down the pink stuff not to mention paying rip-off prices for Toyota maintenance items. I normally stock up when things go on sale such as genuine Toyota filters via the web but it's not cost effect to purchase fluids via the web because of cost prohibitive shipping costs.

Havoline 5w 30 is not a great oil, But as long as it meets or exceeds the engine protection requirements of toyota you should be ok. Just take a look at your oil Cap, it should have a code. Just make sure the code matches the one in the bottle. As for synthetic, you can start using a synth after 5000 miles. Some sports cars come pre filled with synthetic. Ford Cars are pre filled with a synthetic Blend. Really you can put in synthetic anytime you choose. Royal Purple's motor oils are API / ILSAC Certified and will not void new car warranties. Royal Purple recommends waiting until the manufacturer's first scheduled oil change or a minimum of 2,000 miles in new gasoline engines before using Royal Purple.
My toyota dealership carries Mobil 1 Group 3, But I like Royal purple or Amsoil for my cars. As for Coolant, any universal propylene Glycol will work on our toyotas. You coolant should last 100k. At least that's how long mine will last according to Toyota. I am pretty anal about maintenance, so I like to refresh mine with the toyota pink stuff every 3 Years or 30k. If you choose to go with a universal propylene Glycol, Make sure to flush your cooling system first before making the change.

[eflw1029]

As you can see I purposesly waited a bit until TRD VVTi vented a bit prior to replying as it was obvious he was having a really, really bad day or is one horribly angry person. When I post I try and make it as non-attacking as possible but alas, there are some on this forum who are very abrasive borderline rude. If you see any of my previous posts I try to info share as much as humanly possible so I can give back in payment for some really worthwhile info, tips and tricks, updates related to the Toyota product family. While I agree there are other excellent more expensive oils out there I mentioned Havoline because it was the brand of oil I used on my Crown Vic and seeing as I normally drop the oil every 90 days regardless of mileage it's just more cost effective to get a quasi decent cost effective oil on sale with the stipulation that it never hurts to change the oil even if I change the fluids say every 2000-2000 miles. There are a few people who post on TN and three individuals come to mind which love to reply back to each and every post...while I would love to do so also I work also and do not have the luxury of lurking hourly on all these forums. BTW, if I've offended any of these three individuals (which I DO NOT think I ever have) please accept my apologies otherwise you three guys should take a step back and review some of your replies and see how your replies are very condescending and tend to lash out at others for no reason whatsoever other than a ignorant plea for advice or guidance.

[eflw1029]

BTW, My Shyvly is amongst the best in sharing and is among the most patient I have read. While I do not know this individual personally I respect his replies and posts. His video on the 3-4th gear flare is one of the best postings clearly explaining via video the Camry V6 flare issue. He makes up for the few who tend to be impatient know-it-alls. As for me, if I have any questions or issues I find the web to be amongst the best medium to learn!

[TRD VVTi]

I'm just angry...
































































...that you're stupid.

[Yazovets]

You people are worrying too much. When my mechanic does my oil change, he just uses whatever oil he has in stock at the moment.

Sometimes Castrol, sometimes some sort of Shell. Car still runs and I'm happy as long as it does. Couldn't care less if one oil or another meets Toyota's requirements as long as it's 5W-30.

[Mike Murrell]

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

Use ILSAC multigrade engine oil GF-4.

Got news for you.

Most if not all major brands of conventional oil are ILSAC/GF4 rated.

This spec. is not unique to synthetic, be it a blend or full version.