Changed oil 5k miles oil, very clean mobil1

Yes, you can certainly go longer than 5,000 miles between changes, especially with synthetic. Many go with a 10,000 mile interval with full synthetic. You can always thread a new filter on there part way through to help keep the oil nasties down.

 

The filters do not offer very fine filtration anyway so I doubt there is much benefit to a new filter. Modern engines for not produce much gunk at all.

Oil may look clean but it is still loaded with fuel dilution which is likely a bigger issue with hybrids due to the frequent start/stop.

MB860 ?

 

Toyota has increased the oil change interval on the Gen III Prius to 10,000 miles. We still change ours at 5000 mile intervals. The oil looks very clean after those 5000 miles, even with 40,000 miles on the engine.

 

Same here, as I am not convinced that these new lower ash synthetic oils with starting TBNs around 7-8 will last the full 10k and still keep deposits from forming towards the end. Those deposits may eventually cause oil control rings to stick which may possibly explain why you sometimes see cars that have been run on extended drains start burning small amounts of oil once they get out of warranty.

MB860 ?

 

Thay's because you change it at 5K. You are doing the right thing and your car loves you for it.

Mechanic

 

... for me with Mobil-1 no rush to change oil when the maintenance light comes on. Usually procrastinate several thousand mikes. Just changed out for winter to 0W-30 Mobil-1 AFE. I am going to ride that from 98-105K miles and then go with Mobil-1 Extended Perforance so I can procrastinate with a good conscience probably to 115K. I also use the Mobil-1 Extended Performance filters.

 

I personally feel by changing your synthetic oil every 5000 k's is just a waste. Lets get with the times and look after our money!The oil company's will get enough any ways. Hal

 

I do not know, a couple of things:


1. At least if you're in Canada, Toyota's recommendation is still 5000 miles (8000 kilometers). That's still the times up here, LOL.

2. The few liters of oil at an oil change is a drop-in-the-bucket comparing to the hundreds of liters of gasoline consumed.

 

Perhaps this is because of the very cold winter weather there which may result in more water condensation in the crankcase if the car is lightly driven.

Meanwhile, the State of California is trying to educate drivers there that it is not necessary to change oil at 3K mile intervals:
State hopes to break car owners' habit of changing oil too often - latimes.com

 

It actually doesn't make a lot of sense, the disparity: we're in very temperate, west coast climate. Versus someone in the north central States?

And: 5K miles is already a lot more than old school 3K.

To me it's just a matter of compromise: maybe an engine with the oil left in for 10,000 miles has no more wear than 5,000 miles. But I can't believe that. There will be difference. The reasonable argument in favour of 10K is that the increased wear is negligible.

Maybe si, maybe non, but I like to err on the cautious side. And because I am North of the border: I comply with the book.

 

Hi Mendel
Did you not rely on the M.M. when you had your HCH2. Mine normal goes 12-14,000 Kilometers per oil change. Hal

 

I did. I think the MM must factor in trip length, or coolant temps, something like that, because ours was invariably at 15% between 8500 and 9500 km's. We are primarily short trips, in-town.


And of course being fanactical, as soon as the warnings started, at 15%, I would change it

 

Remember, the 10k OCI is recommended for normal use. Each person's driving pattern is a little different.

I would fall under the "severe" use category, due to the frequency of shorter trips. Most of my trips are 5miles or less. I believe Toyota's recommendation for severe use is trips under 10 miles. I usually have a couple a week that range from 5-10 miles. I rarely have trips longer than that (maybe a couple times a month). However, I still change my oil between 7500-10k. I send it off for analysis as well. So far, there hasn't been anything too bad that showed higher wear. I had a little fuel dilution issue for my 2nd change but that was due to not driving the car and getting it warmed up before changing the oil. I just let it run through the initial warmup and then changed it. The last oil change, showed slightly high oxidation, and was around 8000 miles on the oil. If it's warm on Monday, I might go ahead and do another change just to be safe for now. Well, assuming I have another canister for an analysis. Otherwise, I will have to get one and wait another week or two.

 

Miles between oil changes is but one factor. Driving conditions are another. Time is yet another. This is just my opinion, but I would prefer to change the oil at least every four months, and never less often than every six months, regardless of how many miles accrue.

Keep in mind that there is the life of the oil itself, and then there are the negative effects of the contaminants that build up in the oil. Short trips where the oil never reaches full operating temperature allow lots of volatile and corrosive chemicals to linger in the oil. If your driving is dominated by very short trips with a complete cooling cycle in between, then you should probably change your oil every 5000 miles or 4 months, whichever comes first. Oil changes are still one of the most important and least expensive maintenance items for your vehicle.

 

But we have to take into consideration that our cars are in EV mode for about 30% of those miles! Hal

 

Ok, Toyota tells me, in Canada, to change the oil every 8000 km or 6 months, whichever comes first. I don't see the point to oil analysis, considerations about EV mode, and so on, all with the aim to stretching those criteria: I have my marching orders from Toyo, LOL.

What I do find puzzling: the strange contradictions in their policy: go a 100 kilometers south into the states, and a maybe 2000 km's east, to a region that has winter temps way lower than what we experience, and change interval is double.

I just cannot believe that engine longevity is first and foremost in their decision making process.

 

I just changed the oil and filter in the 06, I use the "time" method of every 6mos. since we don't drive 5000 miles in that time, so every December and July it gets changed and it always is very clean, just the very slightest dark tint to it. Using Mobile1 synthetic since breakin..

BTW I recently spoke to a competent mechanic who also says to never fill it above the full mark on the dipstick like the dealer does, and being right at the full mark can also produce the oil vapors that foul the intake manifold and sensors, although a reduced amount. This happens most at cold startup -until the engines warms up at least. The best amount is just 1/4 to 1/8in. below the full mark, then it will never happen at all but the engine still has plenty for safe operation.

 

I use only three liters per oil change. That way I never over fill. Hal