5,000 Mile Oil Changes

1702 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by msibille, Jan 19, 2007

Gunsmith

Discussion Starter · Jan 18, 2007

I have a 2007 Tacoma V-6 Access Cab TRD Offroad. At 1000 miles I did an oil change with Castrol GTX 5W30 and a Fram Extra Guard oil filter. I did the same at 2500 miles and plan to do the same at 5000 miles.

On my wife's 2004 V-6 Highlander AWD we have been doing 5000 mile oil changes with Castrol GTX 5W30 and the last one I used a 3600 top of the line FRAM thanks to info I got off this forum.

I am considering going to 5000 mile service intervals with my Tacoma Using the Castrol GTX 5W30 and 3600 series Fram premium filter. Most of my driving will be on the pavement, with short excursions off pavement for hunting and fishing. I average right at 10,000 miles a year on my truck with very little towing or severe use. The exception will be my annual trip to Wyoming in September for antelope and deer hunting. During that two week period I put on about 1000 miles of dusty unpaved roads and two track.

1. Anyone see any problems with the 5000 mile service intervals?

2. On my Wyoming trips would it be a good idea to do an extra oil and filter change after the offroading is over?

3. I know I read a lot about synthetic oils on this forum, but I've used Castrol GTX in all my vehicles for 40 years and have had exceptional reliability from them. Is Castrol GTX compatible with 5000 mile oil changes and normal driving on my Tacoma?

4. In the past I have always done a 2500 mile service interval on all my vehicles. Your opinion on whether it is just a waste of money or added insurance to do a 2500 mile service interval.

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boone

· #2 · Jan 18, 2007 (Edited)

Gunsmith said:
The exception will be my annual trip to Wyoming in September for antelope and deer hunting. During that two week period I put on about 1000 miles of dusty unpaved roads and two track.

I wish I knew how to quit you. :lol:

Sorry.

1. No.

2. Not really. It may be a good idea to check your air filter after the trip. Since it is annual it will be a good reminder. Maybe replace it every other year. Since you average 10k a year. Get on the 6 month plan. If you can swing it. Change your oil after your trip and then again 6 months later and so on and so forth.

3. GTX is a great oil. As is Havoline dino. Either will be fine.

4. Waste of money. This combo will do you just fine. If you want "added insurance" switch to a synthetic. Changing your oil at 2500 miles is a waste of good oil and resources. Longer intervals is good for the environment.

The only thing I would change is the FRAM. Even a "top of the line" FRAM. It's like a pig wearing lipstick. Consider something else like a Wix (Napa Gold) or K&N.

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MrSmitty

· #3 · Jan 18, 2007

I changed mine at the 1000 mile mark.. then 5K and now I am at 10K and ready for another tire rotation and oil change. I will continue to change it every 5K

I use Mobile 1 synthetic and think 5K is perfect for me.. But alot of other people I spoke to change their mobile 1 Synthetic every 10K.

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msibille

· #4 · Jan 18, 2007

boone said:
...
1. No.

2. Not really. It may be a good idea to check your air filter after the trip. Since it is annual it will be a good reminder. Maybe replace it every other year. Since you average 10k a year. Get on the 6 month plan. If you can swing it. Change your oil after your trip and then again 6 months later and so on and so forth.

3. GTX is a great oil. As is Havoline dino. Either will be fine.

4. Waste of money. This combo will do you just fine. If you want "added insurance" switch to a synthetic. Changing your oil at 2500 miles is a waste of good oil and resources. Longer intervals is good for the environment.

The only thing I would change is the FRAM. Even a "top of the line" FRAM. It's like a pig wearing lipstick. Consider something else like a Wix (Napa Gold) or K&N.

+1 On everything Boone said. Especially since you have relatively low mileage/yr.
The only things I would add are-
Dino or Synthetic - make sure that they are of the same grade (it's either SL or SM) and viscosity as recommended.
Filters- I would add Purolator to the list of filters to check out. Ref most of the published studies, but I've also cut them apart myself, and recommend doing that with anybody's filter to satisfy your own concerns. Most of the "online filter studies" are getting a little dusty, but they are very worthwhile as a means of seeing what's worth looking for when you cut one apart.

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TucsonTRD

· #5 · Jan 18, 2007

MrSmitty said:
But alot of other people I spoke to change their mobile 1 Synthetic every 10K.

i don't suggest doing that at all unless you are backing it up with UOA's. and fairly frequently at that. especially if your vehicle is under warranty.

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msibille

· #6 · Jan 19, 2007

^ +1 especially since 10K doubles the recommended time interval as well.
If you drive enough miles/6months, use a good synthetic, AND back it with UOA, then extended mile intervals may be justifiable. But again, what are you saving vs. risk?
For 10k/hr, you're talking going from 2 oil/filter changes per year to 1 oil/filter change per year. Over 10 yrs, you've saved 55 qts of oil and 10 filters. For good Dino, thats maybe $80 + $30 in filters. Total- $110. But you risk engine and warranty coverage. (If you use synthetic to double the interval, you'll spend more than you save in this example.)

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