10,000 mile oil change I don't think so

Welcome to 1984, let us know when you are able to join us in 2014.

 

5,000 is overkill IMO. Get the 5k an 10k oils tested and have a look at the results. It also depends on how much your ice is on

 

Seriously, when was the last time you heard someone say they kept their car for like a million miles, and it's all original due to shorter duration oil changes? How long did you keep your previous vehicle and how many miles? You won't be able to keep you car long enough to benefit from the waste of money on additional oil changes. It will benefit you for peace of mind, but will be of no benefit to the car. Remember when auto companies had you change the oil every 3k miles, then upped it to 5k, then 7.5k? Some companies still require them at 7.5k, but they're running dino oil, not fully synthetic. Cars are actually built much better than they ever used to be and same can be said for oils. The technology for both have advanced dramatically, even in the last 10 years. Unless you're driving under some really harsh conditions, no reason to change the oil earlier.

 

I've had two cars with over 200,000 miles, both of which had the oil done every 10,000 miles or so. Neither burnt any oil. That's my experience.

The oil gets changed in our CR-V every year, which is every 6,000-8,000 miles. Only because of time, not because of mileage. It still looks like new when it's changed, but just a habit now and no harm in getti g it done before its test every year.

 

i change minds once a year.

 

There are as many different opinions on the correct oil change interval as there are members on here. If it makes you sleep better at night to change it at 5000 miles then by all means do it.

Toyota recommends the 10k mile intervals and the Used Oil Analysis reported on here support the fact that you can go 10k miles and closer to 15k miles with the new synthetic oils and oil filters.

I change mine at 5000 mile intervals for my own piece of mind. Along with the fact that it gives me a reason to get under the car and check for fluid leaks, CV joint boot tears, etc. more often.

 

The Toyota Canada engine oil and filter change interval is 8000 km (roughly 5000 miles) or 6 months, whichever comes first. Keep in mind, Toyota is the company that also tells you you'll never need to change the transaxle fluid.

It's your car, there's nothing inherently wrong with shortening the intervals. It all depends on your priorities.

 

As recently as 1992, OCI recommendations was 7500 miles. All three 1992 model vehicles my family owned had that recommendation.

In 2001, Honda increased the interval to 10k miles all on regular dino oil. My 2006 Civic with a maintenance minder system regularly reminded me to change oil at 10k miles. I always changed it at exactly 0%.

I think 10k miles is too short using synthetic. I would like to extend to 15k or more like. But I'll follow the owners manual for now.


iPhone ?

 

i wonder how much oil could be saved, worldwide, if changes were extended. i know some gets recycled, but what is done with it?

 

^ Yeah, this is the one big downside for more frequent changes. Not only more waste oil, but more used oil filters, and oil contaminated plastic containers. There are companies that deal responsibly with all of this, but it involves a fair amount of energy.

Just a few tips for the DIY'r:

1. When pouring in bottles of fresh oil, take the time to let them drain as completely as possible.

2. Especially if you're increasing frequency of oil change, consider changing the filter only at alternate changes. Honda's oil change schedules currently do this, though the dealerships ignore it. If you're concerned about the cup of used oil trapped in the filter, you can remove, drain and re-install it.

3. When bringing used oil in for recycling, if possible get them to pour it out and return your container for reuse.

 

^ I take my used oil to Advance Auto. They have a tank in the back of the store where they receive the used oil. They send the oil out to be recycled.

 

Hey, Phillip:
I see that you are new here so maybe you missed the HUNDRED or so previous threads that talked about this.......OK maybe a slight exaggeration, but not much.

The consensus seems to be:
1) With the recent advances in oil technology (synthetic mostly) there should be absolutely no problem going near to 10K miles between oil changes........IF you don't abuse the car and actually use oil designated for extended change intervals.
2) Having said that, the second consensus is: Do whatever makes you feel that what you are doing is the right thing for YOU.......and don't deride others who make a choice different than yours.

OH, and in the future, a comment like you made would really fit better IN one of those other existing threads.......instead of starting the hundred-and-first thread about exactly the same subject.

 

^ Good Tips.

I'm one of those Luddites that do 5k changes, but "my' Prius is a company car, and they use a 5k change interval as well.

In my never to be humbled opinion, this is a very circular argument.

If you're comfortable with 10K change intervals (in the US) then Toyota will happily back your decision...for at least 5yrs/60,000 miles. I personally think that you'll be OK for much longer.

I do self maintenance, and a 5K interval gives me a good chance to crawl under the car (or truck) and look everything over. If I were paying to have this service done and/or only wanted to keep the car for 100K?
I'd probably not bother with the 5K interval either.



Your Car.
Your Choice.

 

Of course, if you use your Prius for NYC taxi service, 5K oil change intervals are probably the better way to go. There are other circumstances like constant driving on dusty dirt roads, if you tow anything, or drive "like you stole it" all the time, then shorter oil changes intervals couldn't hurt.

 

We have a 2012 Civic also with over 50k on it now and the maintenance minder has oil changes a little over 10k. Its 10k under normal service or 1 year. I would assume you were not doing 10k a year.

If you want to refute Toyota's engineers then get a used oil analysis and prove everyone wrong.

We have two 2006 Civics at work that go strictly by the maintenance minder on conventional oil which is usually near 10k and with 120k now and no problems.

If you want to go oil crazy join bosistheoilguy.com. I just put in good quality oil and filters and follow the manufacturers recommendation.

 

In Canada Toyota's engineers are saying 8000 km (~5000 miles). Don't kid yourself that the oil change interval is decided purely on engineering requirements. They're in the business of selling cars.

 

I've always thought this to be true. I think although the oil can go further based on oil analysis however dirty oil is something that shouldn't be in your engine. At 10,000 miles, I really think that's excessive for people that do short stop and go trips even with high quality synthetic oils.

I personally would prefer just using dino oil and changing out every 5000 miles when your maintenance light comes on. Why spend the extra money on synthetics? Dino oil has been around forever and nothing has ever been proven inferior with the product.

 

OP- consider doing your first OC at 5k mi, then subsequent changes every 10k mi?
The Prius is pretty easy on engine oil- especially being that the Prius hardly ever idles at red lights, etc.

For peace of mind- get your used oil analyzed... Blackstone Labs