6 Month Oil Change Report

Earlier today, Thursday the 19th, I did my 6 month engine oil and filter change. Toyota brand oil filter, and Costco / Kirkland Full Synthetic 0W-20.

I last changed the oil and filter on August 1, 2025, so horror of horrors I’m over 2 weeks late. Lol.

Not to worry. Between last August 1st and today, I only put 3,566 miles on the T4R.

The reason I’m even posting though is the “old” oil looked rather dark to me. Well I guess it’s doing its job then? I sure as heck wouldn’t run oil for 10,000 miles or for 1 year. I’m going to do it again on August 19 or there-abouts, as I doubt if I’ll get to 5,000 miles on the oil before then.

Politely going to say I think 10,000 mile oil change intervals is for the birds.

 

Oil change or Oil analysis....

 

What is the report? That the oil was dark?!!
Also, not much can be expected from a budget 0w20.

 

Dark oil does not mean it is bad oil. Darkening is not correlated with sludge or lubricity breakdown. Oil analysis backs this up.

I also recently changed my engine oil. It is cold outside and doesn't look like an early spring going to happen this year, so I paid a shop I trust to do it. I had less than 3K and 4 month on the old oil, but it was all short trips with engine not at temp and warm up idle, so I decided it is time to change. Oil change is cheap, cleaning out sludge is a huge hassle.

 

Thoughts:
1) Yes, oil darkens quickly. No news here.
2) I'd be interested in knowing your TBN with this oil.
3) Costco oil is not bad oil.
4) I'd run 0W-30 if I were in TX.

 

Reports I’ve read are that Costco Kirkland Full Synthetic oil is a very good oil, every bit as good as other major brand names.

I do also use Valvoline brand full synthetic oil, when I can catch it on sale.

 

It is an oil that meets the specs and works wonderfully well for short oil changes which you are already doing. So no worries there.

 

I might add that my previous vehicle was a 2006 Toyota Tundra with the 4.7L V-8. I bought it brand new for myself in 2006, and kept it for 17 years before getting my 2022 T4R.

I also performed my own oil changes on the Tundra.

I always used Valvoline 10W-30 Conventional oil in the 4.7 V-8 engine, changing its oil and filter every 3,500 miles. I never had a moments trouble with that V-8, it was never opened up internally for any reason.

The reason I was commenting on the darker hue of my 4Runner’s old drain oil is that I remember the drain oil coming out of my 4.7L Tundra engine as always seemingly being more clear / translucent then what I’ve been draining out of my 4.0L T4R’s V-6. I don’t know- the difference between the synthetic oil vs. the conventional oil that I used in the ‘06 Tundra?

The Valvoline brand 0W-20 full synthetic oil also drains out dark from my 4.0L when I’ve used the Valvoline.

 

The 4.7 was a sweet engine! It was probably a cleaner running engine compared to the 4.0. That said, I still think 0W-30 is the way to go, especially in TX. The base stock required to achieve 0W is traditionally superior. And the fast flow at start up never hurts.

 

The color of the oil really has very little indication of its lubrication value. It is more a measure of blow-by than anything else.

 

I've got one of each! 2011 4Runner Limited and 2003 Tundra AC V8. I'll never get rid of either one! I use Mobil 1 full syn in the recommended viscosities at 5K intervals in HOT AZ. Never had a problem with either one.

 

Mobile 1is the way to go.

For all you using Costco oil here's something to think about we have 2 high mileage Hondas neither one burnt anything noticeable until we tried Costco. When I went to check the oil 1000 miles later they had both lost almost a quart. We switched to mobile1 and neither one has burnt anything since. Maybe I got a bad batch?

 

Well done @Rick G.

You sir, are putting on a master class in trolling.

 

While you were under the vehicle, did you make sure your spare tire hasn't been stolen?

 

Now I'm hungry for some

 

I do 5k intervals in my 04' 4.7L 4runner. Oil always surprises me how clean it looks after 5k. Not like golden clean, but never super dark.

 

Same with my 4.0, and i am at 100k. But i have always used Toyota and now Amsoil at 6k changes.

Side note I'm no fan of Valvoline

 

What's wrong with Valvoline?

 

Granted this was a while ago but the first time i switched from Quaker state to Valvoline i felt a loss of power in my Buick. Next oil change it was fine. Very odd.

 

That is odd.

 

Dark oil? You better part that thing out quickly. How much do want for the spare tire?

 

2 weeks late on your oil change means your 4Runner won't last very long.

 

Same with my 23’ 4Runner. I go every 5k after noticing the oil a little darker with longer intervals. I use Pennzoil Ultra platinum 0W20 (after falling victim to one of the motor oil geeks oil analysis videos). Might be placebo but it also seems as if the engine isn’t as loud? Wonder if anyone else has experienced similar. Friction modifiers in the oil? Perhaps my hearing is going

 

Congratulations you can now post in the old fart thread!

5k miles is easy to remember, and what's a couple of beers while youre down under watching oil drip