1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Oil Change Interval: 5,000 miles or 10,000 miles?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Lou, Aug 24, 2023.

?

What is your oil change interval?

  1. Every 5,000 miles

    112 vote(s)
    73.7%
  2. Every 10,000 miles

    27 vote(s)
    17.8%
  3. Other (please explain in the thread)

    13 vote(s)
    8.6%
  1. Aug 25, 2023 at 11:52 AM
    #91
    2021venture

    2021venture New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2023
    Member:
    #30658
    Messages:
    495
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Todd
    Vehicle:
    2021 Venture / 2003 Tacoma dubcab 4x4 TRD
    Elka 2.5, SPC UCA, durobumps, RCI full skids, RSG sliders, 10 lb Powertank, Maxtrax, Hi lift jack, Bajarack full length roof rack and ladder, ARB rear diff breather relocate, ECGS bushing upgrade
    But why is it needed? OP asked a legitimate question asking other users opinion. I don't get it why we can't share without it getting dumb. Everyone makes their own decision. No point in trying to make fun of someone with a differing opinion.
     
    Thatbassguy and DirtyHairy like this.
  2. Aug 25, 2023 at 12:18 PM
    #92
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2022
    Member:
    #25492
    Messages:
    1,612
    Well, yes @Lou asked a legitimate question. A contentious question that has been asked many times before and has spawned the same disagreement every. single. time. It’s such a thing that when Lou first posted I thought it was a gag.
     
    2016Pro likes this.
  3. Aug 25, 2023 at 12:23 PM
    #93
    2021venture

    2021venture New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2023
    Member:
    #30658
    Messages:
    495
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Todd
    Vehicle:
    2021 Venture / 2003 Tacoma dubcab 4x4 TRD
    Elka 2.5, SPC UCA, durobumps, RCI full skids, RSG sliders, 10 lb Powertank, Maxtrax, Hi lift jack, Bajarack full length roof rack and ladder, ARB rear diff breather relocate, ECGS bushing upgrade
    Disagreement is fine we are all in different circumstances and have different opinions. Sad that something as important as changing your oil consistently turns into the snarky comments. There have been some good replies I liked how people think and rationalize their decisions.
     
    rickystl likes this.
  4. Aug 25, 2023 at 12:56 PM
    #94
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2022
    Member:
    #25492
    Messages:
    1,612
    I think you are mischaracterizing the conversation. Did someone argue that you shouldn’t change the oil consistently? I thought we were all discussing whether we should change at 5 vs. 10. Either way is still consistent.

    At the point that the dead horse has been beaten into the dust, humor and sarcasm will naturally raise their ugly heads.
     
    2016Pro likes this.
  5. Aug 25, 2023 at 1:10 PM
    #95
    DirtyHairy

    DirtyHairy Card-holding Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2023
    Member:
    #33775
    Messages:
    335
    Gender:
    Male
    Central NY
    Vehicle:
    2014 FJ Cruiser; 1978 FJ40; 2023 ORP MGM with KDSS
    People can simply ignore a thread of a repeated topic if they only want to stir shit up. It’s really simple. In fact there’s an ongoing thread where people are discussing the topics they tend to ignore.

    It really shouldn’t be a difficult concept yet here we are. And certain people love to stir shit on a variety of topics where they’ll insult other members. Not much of a community feel when a subset of people want to insult or taunt other members that don’t share their exact views/approaches to maintenance, trim levels, and aftermarket modifications.
     
  6. Aug 25, 2023 at 3:55 PM
    #96
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2022
    Member:
    #25492
    Messages:
    1,612
    I agree in principle. In my own defense I will say that I save the sarcasm until after the OP’s question has been answered. And I try not to be the one to draw first blood.
     
    Henry J likes this.
  7. Aug 25, 2023 at 4:10 PM
    #97
    LA260

    LA260 New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2020
    Member:
    #14602
    Messages:
    387
    Gender:
    Male
    It's $40 if you do your own and if you are not then it's time to start. Do it at 2K miles if it makes you feel better it doesn't matter. Get a Fumoto valve and half the work is done before you even begin.
     
  8. Aug 25, 2023 at 4:22 PM
    #98
    HotelMedicis

    HotelMedicis No Commercial Interests

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2022
    Member:
    #29434
    Messages:
    376
    Something else to consider is that the daily traffic of a website is often correlated to its earning potential -- whether it be through ad revenue or affiliate links. More traffic = more money.

    The person who benefits from controversial topics in a forum is often the person who earns the money from the traffic. So if we begin to see a pattern of new users creating provocative posts that stir up controversy or if there are some users who habitually create posts that stir up emotions in other users -- and thereby enticing them back to the forum to respond -- we might ask ourselves who, in the end, benefits from all this?
     
  9. Aug 25, 2023 at 4:58 PM
    #99
    gomiami

    gomiami Member Still Waiting

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2023
    Member:
    #34287
    Messages:
    816
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jay
    SE of Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2023 Lexus GX460 Premium, The Last of the V8s.
    Let me get it first...
    There's nothing wrong with humor, sarcasm or irony. What's sad is how many fail to recognize those literary devices for what they are.
     
  10. Aug 25, 2023 at 5:11 PM
    #100
    DirtyHairy

    DirtyHairy Card-holding Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2023
    Member:
    #33775
    Messages:
    335
    Gender:
    Male
    Central NY
    Vehicle:
    2014 FJ Cruiser; 1978 FJ40; 2023 ORP MGM with KDSS
    Nah there’s a couple members that are dicks because they choose to be dicks. It’s a fact that’s abundantly clear. Maybe some people don’t want to call “a spade a spade” publicly but they do it in DMs. I get supportive DMs whenever I publicly call out the trolls that can’t seem to help but to mock others on things like this (or owning a Limited and being referenced as a woman going to the mall).

    We are all allegedly grown adults here. Many of us in our 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. It’s stunning to me that a few insist on acting like childish trolls that want to frequently taunt other members that don’t follow the troll’s exact path of maintenance, trim, and upgrades. It takes a very small ‘man’ to act like that(so easy being a dick while simultaneously hiding behind a keyboard).
     
    2021venture and gomiami[QUOTED] like this.
  11. Aug 25, 2023 at 5:13 PM
    #101
    gomiami

    gomiami Member Still Waiting

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2023
    Member:
    #34287
    Messages:
    816
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jay
    SE of Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2023 Lexus GX460 Premium, The Last of the V8s.
    Let me get it first...
    OK, I appreciate the clarification...and I agree with what you wrote.
     
  12. Aug 28, 2023 at 9:20 AM
    #102
    Lou

    Lou [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2021
    Member:
    #23651
    Messages:
    123
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD Off Road Premium
    Thank you.

    I've read several of the other threads over the last 2 years. I started this one, because I wanted to get a better idea of the percentage of people who do 5,000 vs 10,000. I'll have to admit that the poll surprised me. I thought it would be closer to 50/50 or lean toward the 10,000 side.
     
  13. Aug 28, 2023 at 9:28 AM
    #103
    2Toys

    2Toys Imperial Star Cruiser

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #15337
    Messages:
    964
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gordon
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRDORP
    a few goodies
    I paid just under 40k when I bought mine in September of 2018. The price for the same truck now makes my heart skip a beat. I want mine to last as long as possible. For me, a 5k oil change makes sense. In the past on much older vehicles, I did 10k oil changes using Mobil 1. I found that the oil filter would get dirty and either starve the engine for oil, or it would bypass before I got to 10k. I realize this is apple to oranges, but at the cost of these vehicle now it is not a chance I am willing to take.
     
    rickystl and San Angelo like this.
  14. Aug 28, 2023 at 10:11 AM
    #104
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,173
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    Interesting! And a bit scary. How could you tell that the engine was starved of oil, did you get the oil pressure light?

    Also, regarding the oil bypassing the filter, how could you tell when bypassing started to happen?

    Somebody here a while back posted a pic of the intake plenum on a 4runner that spent a lot of time on dusty roads. I was really surprised by the amount of dust in there, despite regular air filter changes.

    I would imagine some amount of fine dust makes it through even the best of air filters. Some of that dust goes out the exhaust valves, but the rest would stick to the cylinder walls and get washed into the oil. I can imagine vehicles that constantly drive in dusty conditions could get those oil filters to capacity, maybe even quickly.
     
    ecoterragaia likes this.
  15. Aug 28, 2023 at 10:23 AM
    #105
    Schlappesepple

    Schlappesepple New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2021
    Member:
    #21226
    Messages:
    138
    Vehicle:
    2020 ORP
    There is some bias due to the sample population (enthusiasts, many of who probably do their own maintenance). Greater population could trend more towards 10,000, unless they use mechanics that recommend a shorter interval. Some places still put 3000 mile stickers on every car, and this hasn't been required in decades.
     
  16. Aug 28, 2023 at 11:17 AM
    #106
    MooreKen

    MooreKen 2023 TRD PRO “Solar Octane”

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2023
    Member:
    #31561
    Messages:
    177
    Gender:
    Male
    So I try to avoid politics, religion, and motor oil conversations but here is what works for me and allows me to sleep good at night: I don’t drive as many miles as most people so when I look at the 5000 mile or 6 months which ever comes first rule of thumb, I go with every 6 months. (This makes my life easy, I just tell Siri to add 4Runner oil change in 6 months to my calendar as I am getting my oil changed.) By doing it every 6 months the Brand of oil becomes less important as long as the viscosity is correct and it meets the proper Toyota Specs (I still use Mobil1) and finally I believe in using a genuine Toyota filter either from the dealership or Wal Mart. My total oil change cost is about $120 year. I also think that just about everyone on here will get 100s of thousands of miles out the 4Runner even if they go 10000 miles and a year between oil changes. These 4Runners go and go and go.
     
    rickystl and Thatbassguy like this.
  17. Aug 28, 2023 at 11:38 AM
    #107
    DesertSurfer

    DesertSurfer New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2023
    Member:
    #33284
    Messages:
    409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2023 Toy 4R TRD ORP Ice Cap
    Hey all, just changed my oil yesterday at 632 miles. Peeled open the pleats on the oil filter and numerous pepper sized pieces of metal shavings in each individual pleat. I know should have taken a photo to show the gang. Oil drain plug just snug, not loose, but maybe 2-3 ft/lbs. Replaced oil/filter/crush washer and o-ring with Toyota OEM. Factory torque spec on drain plug. Will change again in 5,000 miles and check oil filter pleats again. Will never take my baby to a dealership due to working at a Honda dealership for 7 years and saw what goes on behind the vail, I can tell stories that would curl your hair, for another day perhaps. Cheers!
     
    TCW1184 likes this.
  18. Aug 28, 2023 at 12:05 PM
    #108
    HazOpRed

    HazOpRed 22' TRDOR

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2022
    Member:
    #30288
    Messages:
    138
    Gender:
    Male
    I am in a good amount of gravel and dust. I am considering splitting the difference and doing a 7500 mile oil change. Gonna send it to Blackstone and see what it says
     
    Sailormilan2 likes this.
  19. Aug 28, 2023 at 12:19 PM
    #109
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,173
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    I’m curious as I’ve never done a blackstone. Does their analysis provide some sort of indication of non-metallic particulates?

    If they do, it would be interesting to to see if the particulate counts are different on oil that has been run in dust vs not. Wonder how significant the difference would be.
     
  20. Aug 28, 2023 at 6:20 PM
    #110
    2Toys

    2Toys Imperial Star Cruiser

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #15337
    Messages:
    964
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gordon
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRDORP
    a few goodies
    Never got a low oil pressure light. What I got was the sound that hydraulic lifters make when starved for oil - increased tapping, especially when decelerating. Replaced the oil filter (not the oil) and the sound went away immediately. Was it bypassing? Probably. I did not have the means to prove it. This was on a 1990 vehicle, engines are manufacture differently today, and with tighter clearances, as I am sure you know.
     
  21. Aug 29, 2023 at 6:56 AM
    #111
    MidniteTRD

    MidniteTRD New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2022
    Member:
    #25553
    Messages:
    25
    Augusta GA
    we do quite a bit of highway driving but still qualify for the Severe Service maintenance regimen listed in the manual due to vehicle use and the heat where we live. so i like to split the difference with changes at around 7-8,000 miles. i've done multiple blackstone oil analysis and the engine seems perfectly happy with this schedule.
     
  22. Aug 29, 2023 at 9:34 AM
    #112
    joshdub

    joshdub New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2020
    Member:
    #16386
    Messages:
    193
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD ORP
    I follow a 5k OCI and follow the rest of the severe service schedule. My 4runner isn't a commuter and is used for mountain travel and offroading.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  23. Aug 29, 2023 at 12:06 PM
    #113
    TCW1184

    TCW1184 New Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2023
    Member:
    #32712
    Messages:
    158
    Vehicle:
    23’ 4R TRD Pro
    I do short trips and have infrequent use. Once a year or 5K, whichever comes first (usually the once a year)
     
    glwood54 likes this.
  24. Aug 29, 2023 at 4:12 PM
    #114
    Bexar237

    Bexar237 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2023
    Member:
    #33288
    Messages:
    9
    Harleysville, PA
    Vehicle:
    2022 TRD OR
    Every 5k LOF and tire rotation for all my vehicles seems to work for me.
     
  25. Aug 30, 2023 at 1:25 PM
    #115
    Tino

    Tino New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2023
    Member:
    #34718
    Messages:
    64
    New York City
    Vehicle:
    2023 SR5 Premium
    Just accessories
    So I have a couple of questions. I saw a toyota oil change kit which had everything including the washer for the drain plug and also a new drain plug. The questions I have are one do you really have to replace the washer everytime you change your oil and also is it necessary to change the drain plug or bolt whatever it's called at each oil change also. The second question is If I have to change the crush washer for the drain plug can I buy a pack of lets say 6 or more or those the dealer only sell them by quantity of one.
     
  26. Aug 30, 2023 at 1:53 PM
    #116
    BobbyB

    BobbyB New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2020
    Member:
    #17959
    Messages:
    246
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Marietta, GA
    Vehicle:
    2021 White TRD Off Road
    SSO Slimline Bumper Warn Evo 10s winch Bilstein 5100 shocks Dobinson Springs (front and rear) JBA Upper Control Arms Baja Designs Squadron Pro Combo lights Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro Foglights RCI skids (engine, trans, Txfr and gas tank) CaliRaised sliders UpTop Overland Bravo Rack Auxbeam 6 switch panel Frac Harness with front camera Custom rear diff breather on firewall
    My approach to the oil drain plug was to install a Fumoto Oil Drain Valve that drains oil by opening a lever-valve. No need to ever replace a drain plug crush washer.

    Cheers,
    Bob
     
    Old Tanker likes this.
  27. Aug 30, 2023 at 2:13 PM
    #117
    Schlappesepple

    Schlappesepple New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2021
    Member:
    #21226
    Messages:
    138
    Vehicle:
    2020 ORP
    Yes replace washer each time. No need to replace bolt unless you round the head off.

    You can buy all of the oil pan, transfer case, and differential single use washers on Amazon in varying quantities. (I think they have 10 pack for the oil washer).

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07CJHTDVV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007OW6MD6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2023
    Captain Spalding likes this.
  28. Aug 30, 2023 at 8:37 PM
    #118
    HazOpRed

    HazOpRed 22' TRDOR

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2022
    Member:
    #30288
    Messages:
    138
    Gender:
    Male
    They track potassium, sodium, and silicon (dust) as the non-metallic particulates
     
  29. Sep 13, 2023 at 5:15 AM
    #119
    MidniteTRD

    MidniteTRD New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2022
    Member:
    #25553
    Messages:
    25
    Augusta GA
    what HazOpRed said - dirt will show up as silicon ingested through the intake. enough of it will turn up the iron/aluminum/chromium count through additional internal wear. i had this exact situation happen to my old subaru when i ran it hard on some forestry roads with an intake box that had a latch come loose, so it ended up ingesting some dust. silicon did a little spike and so did my metals for that oil change.
     
    McSpazatron[QUOTED] likes this.
  30. Sep 13, 2023 at 5:55 AM
    #120
    Sailormilan2

    Sailormilan2 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2022
    Member:
    #27608
    Messages:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dale
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner TRD Premium
    I'm doing the same thing. I use Mobil1 European blend, extended mileage oil, so I will be doing the 7500 mile changes.

    According to the Care Car Nut on YouTube, who claims to be an ex Toyota mechanic, the 10K mile oil change ideas came from the sales people to show how cheaply the car/engine is regarding maintenance, but if one asks an engineer, who designed the car, they will tell you 5K miles.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top