I own a 2004 Corolla and drive it roughly 5,000 miles/year. At least three-quarters of my driving is on the highway, don't haul anything and am careful not to rev the engine. I've been getting an oil change every 6 months (which translates into 2500-3000 miles), and was wondering if that seemed ok, or if it's fine to wait for the 5000 miles to go by and do it once a year. Also, what's the appropriate interval for rotating tires with my usage? The manual-directed 5000 miles, or longer?
In brute honesty: go by your dipstick and your judgement. The service manual is a guide rather than a rule book.
Oil: In your case you could check your oil every month to make sure it's in good condition (colour), and in the acceptable operating fill range (oil level). It'll take you 30 seconds to check your oil and it's a good 30 seconds spent. New engine oil is golden in colour, and you should changed it when starts to turn black. Getting an oil change every 6 months at 2,500-3,000miles is fine as long as the oil looks like it needs to be changed.
Tire Rotation: What manual are you looking at? I checked my 2005 maintence manual and got 16,000KM's (10,000miles) or sooner.
I think Toyota's recommendation is 5,000 miles or every 6 months. You're doing it every 6 months, so that should be fine. I'd probably do it every 5,000 miles, regardless of time between changes. Those highway miles are awfully easy on an engine.
And if I were changing the oil every 5,000 miles, I'd do the tire rotations then also, if they need it. If not, do it every other oil change.
I think Toyota's recommendation is 5,000 miles or every 6 months. You're doing it every 6 months, so that should be fine. I'd probably do it every 5,000 miles, regardless of time between changes. Those highway miles are awfully easy on an engine.
And if I were changing the oil every 5,000 miles, I'd do the tire rotations then also, if they need it. If not, do it every other oil change.
2x- I agree
__________________ 2005 Corolla LE - Impulse Red - Auto Trans - 1ZZFE - 86,000mi 2003 Echo - Auto Trans - 96,000mi. - slow as dog-dirt - I'd rather put my money in the bank than in the tank!!!!!
I gather rossn2 you either didn't know engine oil was golden in colour, or you change the oil on your car and it's still black after the change even if the change is at 5000miles, I'm guessing the latter.
Every car and every driver is different: I personally like my oil very very clean because I love my car and want to keep it in prestine shape.
After approximately 2000km (1250 miles)@ 91,100kms (57,000miles), I admit the oil was overfilled on the last oil change (guessing Toyota) but it also spread on the stick while I got the camera ready.
It will be changed soon because (A) I want a synthetic that can withstand high rpm passes without breaking down so soon and (B) I don't like to run my car overfilled and I don't feel like replacing drain plugs while oil is still shooting out.
PS While I might not have the "experience" of bob the oil guy, I myself worked as a technician at a quick lube shop a few years ago and have seen some horrendous oil conditions on all makes and models of cars. For the know.
...I admit the oil was overfilled on the last oil change (guessing Toyota)...
On that note, my engine knocks only slightly and I've discovered that the dipstick indicates that the engine is overfull. Should I be concerned?
Toyota performed the last oil change.
__________________
1989 Toyota Camry base 5spd (retired at 206,000mi)
2000 Saturn SL2 5spd
2004 Pontiac Grand Am SE1 V6 (totaled due to a rear-end collision)
2003 Toyota Corolla LE
I gather rossn2 you either didn't know engine oil was golden in colour, or you change the oil on your car and it's still black after the change even if the change is at 5000miles, I'm guessing the latter.
No, his point was, and it was correctly made, the color of the oil does not indicate the condition of the oil. Oil that still looks clear can be very worn out, and unable to protect. Oil that looks black may still be very healthy oil, and still fully functioning.
The only way to really judge the condition of your oil is to send a sample to a lab for analysis.
Oil color has nothing to do with it's condition. And, matter of factly, changing it too often can do more harm then good (confirmed through numerous Oil Analysis').
Modern day oils, dino or synthetic, can easily go 5000 miles. If you're concerned and want to switch to a quality synthetic use Pennzoil Platinum, Motorcraft Blend or full synthetic, Mobil I, Valvoline, Amsoil, Redline, etc. Any of them in 5w-30 or 5w-20 will easily go 5000 miles in your Toyota and work well for you. And use a quality oil filter such as a Toyota OEM filter, Napa Gold, Wix, etc..
The reason for the 6month OCI from Oil and Car manufacturers is oil in the pan may get contaminated by moisture buildup to the engine not running long enough to heat up the oil to burn off the moisture.
"I want a synthetic that can withstand high rpm passes without breaking down so soon."
Really? Is this confirmed through Oil Analysis on your vehicle?
Oh, ps: Denver Automotive and Diesel College graduate, NIASE Certified Technician, GM Certified Technician, former B/B Funny Car crewmember...too many years in the industry to count anymore..
Ture. Usually (atleast from what I saw) when oil is clear its been changed, but I will agree that it will also look clear with moister build up (I found VW 2.0L engines were the worst for moister build up). Dirty looking oil might have life (such as the case of a diesel car/truck), but if it looks like it's quite black and low on a gasoline engined car, it's safe to assume its had its day.
No no I didn't send my oil to the lab for analisys hahah. I will admit though that I do give the car quite a weekly work out, and less than 10% of my driven milage is on a highway or similar roadway. I can only see it benefiting my car as to where and how I drive it.
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I gather rossn2 you either didn't know engine oil was golden in colour, or you change the oil on your car and it's still black after the change even if the change is at 5000miles, I'm guessing the latter. 
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