[hk29]

I've searched the forums, and couldn't find a clear answer ...

1) My salesperson said that the new 2004 Rav4 came with synthetic oil - is this true?

2) The dealer recommended 5000miles between changes. Should I change my first change earlier than 5,000?

thanks in advance (and if I've missed an earlier post please let me know - thanks).

 

[thespud]

1. It possibly does, refer to your owners manual possibly. Synthetic or semi-synthetic is good for your oil is good tho
2. 5000mi is ok, but personally i reccomend 5000km (~3000mi)

 

[Zrain]

3k mi, no if's and's or buts.

no matter what it is. oil might last 5, but other stuff dosent. (not to say u have to replace other stuff.) but it can be seed that other things dont like oil with more then 3k on it. .

altho its safe to say you can go more then 3k on synthetic, but dont make a habit of it. remeber, the newer your oil is the better it is for the mottor.

 

[Lauren]

^ Def. And don't forget a new oil filter...:disappoin
A lot of people who don't normally change oil forget this.

 

[hk29]

thx!

I appreciate the responses!

 

[hk29]

Oh yeah last question ...

If the car came with synethic (or semi), do you recommend 1st oil change with a full synethic? Or regular oil? (I read for the 1st oil change that people recommend regular oil to continue to aid in the break-in process).

TIA (as always!)

 

[Flashmn]

You can roll about10,000km with the same oils, if they are modern day synthetics.

f the car came with synethic (or semi), do you recommend 1st oil change with a full synethic? Or regular oil? (I read for the 1st oil change that people recommend regular oil to continue to aid in the break-in process).

No use switching back to regular oils, just use synthetics. It means you should use regular oils during the break in period (1500km or so) and then switch to synthetics.

 

[Edmond]

They say 5000 miles under typical driving conditions. They don't exactly say what typical driving conditions are.

I would change at 3000 and also change the air filter at those times. If you're doing it yourself, go to Wal Mart for Mobil 1 synthetic. They sell a 5 quart container for $20. As for the oil filter, I would use Toyota, Mobil 1, K&N or Purolator Pure One. For the air filter, I think Purolator is plenty good.

 

[CorollaKen]

... I would change at 3000 and also change the air filter at those times.

Wha ??

Edmond, you meant oil filter not air filter right ? If you replace the air filter every 3000 - yikes !!

If available for the RAV4, you should think about getting a K&N (or TRD I guess) replacement air filter though. It will save you $$ in the end and give you better performance and air filtering qualities.

my 2 c

 

[Edmond]

Wha ??

Edmond, you meant oil filter not air filter right ? If you replace the air filter every 3000 - yikes !!

If available for the RAV4, you should think about getting a K&N (or TRD I guess) replacement air filter though. It will save you $$ in the end and give you better performance and air filtering qualities.

my 2 c

I dunno, I just threw that in because I have a K&N so I don't worry about it.:lol:

Shouldn't the first change come before 3000 because of the break in period? I've never owned a brand new car but that's what I've been told.

 

[Toysrme]

Good, 100% synthetics can go 10-20000 miles.
That being said... If the oil is black, burned it's past time. If it's brown change it.
Synthetic oil should come out nearly the same color as it goes in. I find 4-6000 miles is average using Valvoline Max Life in my '93. I've gone 7,500 miles and I've gone 1,000 miles (getting crap dino oil out of the engine)

1 more thing. Don't buy into the myth of mixing oils. You can't drain all the old oil out, and I promise the new oil is going to mix with the cup or two left in the engine attached to parts.

 

[Zrain]

FYI: Race Mottor Brake in Information on oil
(At least how i have ben told)

Biuld with 0w30 Good old Fashon Normal oil. run it for about 500 miles. then Switch to 5w30 Mobil 1 Synthetic. and run it for about 1k to about 3k. Then change it again. change the filter at this point and then go have fun.

 

[02_SLE_6]

this link may be helpful..
http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

when i bought my 2003 civic brand new, i changed the oil from 5w-20 honda oil to 5w-30 mobil 1 fully syn. @ 3000miles.

 

[Flashmn]

If the oil is black, burned it's past time. If it's brown change it.

If the oil is black its doing its job. if the oil is brown, then obviously theres something wrong with it

 

[dronek75]

I dunno, I just threw that in because I have a K&N so I don't worry about it.:lol:

Shouldn't the first change come before 3000 because of the break in period? I've never owned a brand new car but that's what I've been told.

Change the oil between first 1k ~ 1.5K it's always good.

 

[Rolla97]

Synthetic can definately go 5000.

 

[SolaraTRD]

"2004 Rav4"

I wonder if the dealers change the oil when they don't sell it for awhile... (U know, every 3 months or 3,000 miles)