5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I bought a 09' Camry SE back in December, and currently have 1800 miles on it. I planned on having the oil changed this week, since it's been over 6 months, and at the rate I drive, 5,000 is a long ways off. Until I found this thread > 07 LE (New) gas milage sucks There was no conclusion whether additives are in the oil or not.
The letter I received from the dealer adds a little bit more to the mix...
Quote:
... Three months have passed since you took delivery of your 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY SE AUTOMATIC. I have no doubt you are enjoying the driving experience it provides. I want to remind you to change your oil and filter according to manufacturer's guidelines. Most of my customers prefer to change their oil every three months or 3,000 miles (which ever comes first) which is a little sooner then TOYOTA recommends. Give me a call anytime, and I can arrange a service appointment for you or you can call your service advisor directly to make a service appointment...
So is there really a reason to wait til 5,000, or should I have it changed now @ 1,800mi/7 months?
Toyota recommend my first change at 1,000 miles. You might want to call and speak with a service manager at your local dealership.
I wanted to do an oil change at my dealership where I got my car since they gave me 3 free oil change. I went there for my appointment and they asked how many miles I have on the car, I told them I have a little under 3,000. They told me to come back when its near 5,000. I went to them early cuz its free, all my other cars I did oil change at 3,000 and I know how the oil filter is tightened by ToyoCop.
The MAINT REQD light will pop up when it nears 5,000 miles driven.
For you pedron, I think your dealership is out to make money on you. 1,000 miles? The car hasnt even been broken in yet.
first oil change should be early. next ones after that are up to you. my dad has made first oil change on all our cars at around 1500-2000. the rest were about 3k. use synthetic once u get to around 10K.
I wanted to do an oil change at my dealership where I got my car since they gave me 3 free oil change. I went there for my appointment and they asked how many miles I have on the car, I told them I have a little under 3,000. They told me to come back when its near 5,000. I went to them early cuz its free, all my other cars I did oil change at 3,000 and I know how the oil filter is tightened by ToyoCop.
The MAINT REQD light will pop up when it nears 5,000 miles driven.
For you pedron, I think your dealership is out to make money on you. 1,000 miles? The car hasnt even been broken in yet.
Well, considering I didn't pay for the first oil change I'd say that my dealer wasn't looking to make a quick buck off me. If anything the service dept does all new cars at 1,000 miles because they want people engines to last a long time. If I'd been paying for the first oil change I'd have done it at 10 miles. then 100, then again at 1000. But I wasn't paying for it and I was able to suck it up and drive 1000 miles on the factory fill oil.
Well, considering I didn't pay for the first oil change I'd say that my dealer wasn't looking to make a quick buck off me. If anything the service dept does all new cars at 1,000 miles because they want people engines to last a long time. If I'd been paying for the first oil change I'd have done it at 10 miles. then 100, then again at 1000. But I wasn't paying for it and I was able to suck it up and drive 1000 miles on the factory fill oil.
I wasnt paying for it either but they wanted me to do it at 5000.
Simply put, you follow the maintenance guide that came with your vehicle. It explains the time or mileage that the MINIMUM services are to be performed. It will also explain that you should service your vehicle when you meet the time recommendation or the mileage recommendation, which ever comes first.
It really is that simple.
I've never seen any gain from performing the first oil change early, but doing so makes perfect sense to me and is a small investment.
according to my father who has been a mechanic so as long as i live... you perform the first oil change early because during the manufacturing process dust and sometimes even small specs of metal find their way once in a while into the engine and the first oil change drains all that out so its better to change the oil early to clean out the engine of all that stuff. it doesn't happen every time(stuff being left behind from manuf. processes) but better safe than sorry. hopefully everyone understands the above.
dealer/toyota says every 5k, but i perfer to do every 3k just for my own peace of mind.
Toyota says that you should do a "break in" oil change at 1k...Alot of people claim that this is beneficial to the life of your engine because as pawel stated above the manufacturing process leaves microscopic debris in the engine that could potentally damage it...some people do it, some dont
If i had a brand new car, which ive never had, then i would certainly do it.
according to my father who has been a mechanic so as long as i live... you perform the first oil change early because during the manufacturing process dust and sometimes even small specs of metal find their way once in a while into the engine and the first oil change drains all that out so its better to change the oil early to clean out the engine of all that stuff. it doesn't happen every time(stuff being left behind from manuf. processes) but better safe than sorry. hopefully everyone understands the above.
From what I have been told, the small dust and metal particles been done already at the manufacturing plant during the break-in process
Well, if he's got 6 months on there, time-wise, he needs an oil change. All Toyotas are now 6-mo or 5000 miles no questions asked, even those produced before 2004. Just check the schedule on toyota.com. The 2004 reduction announcement was concerning engine sludge.
Well, if he's got 6 months on there, time-wise, he needs an oil change. All Toyotas are now 6-mo or 5000 miles no questions asked, even those produced before 2004. Just check the schedule on toyota.com. The 2004 reduction announcement was concerning engine sludge.
Would the use of synthetic oil after 10-20K allow a longer oil change interval? Many other mfgs have a longer interval using synthetic.
Yes, Mercedes with synthetics go up to 20,000 miles and BMW up to 15,000 mile between oil changes. But they use high specification oils as well, IIRC only Mobil-1 0W-40 in the US meets that standard. VW/Audi however goes up to IIRC 10,000 miles, while GM/Honda with oil monitors up to 12,000 miles (for lower cost cars these are quite impressive).
That said, Toyota certainly didn't feel comfortable going above 5000 mile intervals, because they actually cut down the interval in 2004. So an owner should not go above the specified interval, at least not within the warranty period. Toyota can deny warranty if the engine sludges up.
I know some people do oil analysis and determine intervals that way.
A decent lab should be able to suggest both oil and filter intervals. A test costs about $27.85.
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When to Have 1st Oil Change?
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