5K Oil Service? OK, but why also tire rotation every 5K miles?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by stream, Nov 11, 2009.

  1. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    There's been lots of discussion (groaning ;)) about the short oil service intervals. For me it's not an issue since I get my cars' oil changed every 5K miles with synthetic oil. But having to pay (an extra $40 - $50) every 6 months for tire rotation is crazy.

    It seems Toyota isn't going to modify the oil service interval, but if they're reading this :cool: they should really consider decoupling the oil service from the tire rotation. I have to believe rotation every 10K miles would be more than sufficient. FWIW, I haven't had tires rotated on any car for a few decades (since they've been staggered sizes).
     
    #1 stream, Nov 11, 2009
  2. Rhino

    Rhino New Member

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    Makes no sense. Let's say the front wears 5x as much as the back (this is just an extreme hypo). You rotate it at 5K. Fine. At 10K, you tires are supposed to be even again. Why rotate?

    Wouldn't it be better to rotate at 5K. When your tires are even at 10K don't rotate. When they become uneven at 15K, rotate. So a hypothetical rotation schedule would be 5K, 15K, 25K, 35K etc.

    On the other hand, I see the benefit of a fixed 5K schedule - easy to remember.

    It is probably the same with oil filters. The oil filter and oil change probably should be more frequent in the beginning. Like at 1K, 3K and 5K with filter change. Then service at 5K intervals. This will lead to consumer confusion, especially for people who don't bring the car to the dealer.
     
    #2 Rhino, Nov 11, 2009
  3. mjrauma

    mjrauma Junior Member

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    I just went to Discount Tire and purchased a lifetime rotate/balance/road hazard warranty the week I got my car, around $140. I only have Toyota do the oil change, then go to Discount to get the rotation/balance at the same time.
     
    #3 mjrauma, Nov 11, 2009
  4. cardinalred

    cardinalred Junior Member

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    I just received the results from an oil analysis from my first oil change at 4200 miles from Blackstone Labs (have used them for 10 years for my Cessna Cardinal). Iron, copper, molybdenum and silicone were very high but Blackstone says this is normal for an engine wear in. Should decrease next test. The TBN was 6--1 is a minimum. TBN is a measurement of active additives. Because TBN was high, which is good, they recommended 6000 or 7000 miles before next oil change. I would think, if I have future warranty problems, these tests would be proof of diligence on my part.
    By the way, Blackstone did confirm that the original oil was probably synthetic and was actually 0-20w.
     
    #4 cardinalred, Nov 11, 2009
  5. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    America's tire performs tire rotations for free, even if you did not purchase the tires there.

    Big-O Tires performs free tire rotations for AAA members.

    Cross-rotating your tires helps with ensuring an even wear pattern for many FWD cars.
     
    #5 The Critic, Nov 11, 2009
  6. ctmurray

    ctmurray Member

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    My Toyota dealer rotates the tires for "free" with the oil change. Just had the 5K synthethic oil change, tire rotation and wash for $53.
     
    #6 ctmurray, Nov 11, 2009
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