7,500 Mile Oil Change. The way to go?

If its full synthetic, then I would say run it a bit longer than normal. This last oil change, I went something like 6500 miles before I took it in for a change and the oil still looked fine.

If its non-synthetic, I wouldn't risk it.

 

That number seems reasonable. You've got moderate oil consumption, enough that it's sorta changing the oil for you, AND you're staying on top of it: checking and topping up regularly. Much better than the "uh, my check engine light is on" stories.

 

how many miles on her? not sure look and smell test works with oil.

 

I believe that Toyota says you can go 10,000 miles. I take the car to the dealer to change the oil and ask them to indicate 7,500 miles on the reminder they put on the windshield. I find it annoying that the speedometer is set for 5,000 miles when Toyota recommends 10,000. I asked the dealer and they cannot change the setting.

 

gen 2 was 5,000, (depending on where you live) but if you switch to synthetic, idk.

 

All the mileage intervals are noted by Toyota to be "or months", ie: 5000 miles or 6 months, 10000 miles or 12 months.

FWIW, Toyota Canada says 8000 km's or 6 months for 3rd gen, which I follow.

 

Maybe the engineers believe 5K mile oil changes are better, but Marketing won out with 10K mile changes

 

10K OCI (Oil Change Interval) is when using 100% synthetic oil.

 

Your car, do what you want.....sooner is always better.

 

it might also depend on the oil brand. is it bulk, or bottled?

 

We are in agreement: your car, your money.
You may even agree: do what you want, or don't want to do, b/c it is ultimately your car/money.

Sooner is better, but a likely faster and unnecessary expenditure of money and resources. You don't believe the old 3months/3K miles OCI? You can always change spark plugs well before 120K or 150K miles (if CARB state).

Many people before us, have done UOA (Used Oil Analysis) with conventional and synthetic. Even auto and oil manufactures have done UOA, to come out with the longer OCI.

 

I don't see any mention of different interval for non-synthetic in my 2010 Owner's Manual. Actually there is no mention of synthetic oil in the manual.

I'm not sure exactly what the highlighted paragraph means; and I doubt if you used 5W20 for two oil changes anything untowards would happen. Keep in mind Toyota spec's different oil weights around the world.

 

That is true. Some will be better than others for sure, based on UOA (Used Oil Analysis).

But for the longer 10K duration, synthetic is required. I am sure everyone will agree that any true synthetic (bottle or bulk) will be better than a conventional oil (bottle or bulk). When comparing synthetic brands, yes, UOAs will show differences. When comparing conventional oil brands, UOAs amongst this group will show differences.

 

Sadly, manuals are poorly written and they don't give us true temperature ranges for various oils. I guess they want to dumb it down for North America and just say one oil weight (0W-20), and a second oil weight (5W-20) as a back-up if the preferred weight is not available.

The 10K mile OCI is inferred to be using synthetic, especially since the manual states 0W-20 oil is the preferred weight.

This should put any doubt to rest.
Longo Toyota Service Center Serving El Monte, CA, New, Used Cars - Oil Change


Click the link for a picture of the one quart bottle of Toyota 0W-20 motor oil from Amazon.

 

Here is a page from a 2012 UK Prius owners manual that actually shows a table of oils and their operating temperatures.
Owner's Manual | Toyota UK

 

LifeTime trans fluid! Another Marketing idea, but we all know the trans fluid should be changed at 30K miles.
Car companies that sell in the USA have to meet CAFE standards and promote being green, So as long as the cars make it through the warranty period and at least 100K miles without issues all is good. 0W-20 oil is promoted to meet CAFE standards, at the cost of additional wear with 10K mile oil changes.

 

It took me about three hours... It's a fairly simple procedure, a couple of bolts and a few hoses... What made it not so simple is having to work in a very tight space. It was a feat of patience and persevering, You have to either have small very strong hands or the perfect long nose pliers... But it's quite satisfying when you get it done, no more annoying warning light on the dash! It's also a great time to change your coolant...