Recommended engine break-in and oil change frequency + factory oil analysis test (by Motor Oil Geek)

[drNick]

“The Motor Oil Geek” Lake posted today a video describing the proper, according to him, break-in oil change protocol for the Toyota 2.4 turbo engine of the 4Runner, the Tacoma, the Land Cruiser, etc. I tend to trust this guy because everything he talks about is based on scientific test and makes sense both from practical standpoint and petrochemical analysis.

Summary of the key points (compiled by AI):

Engine Break-in and Early Oil Change Strategy

• Aggressive Early Changes: The speaker recommends performing oil changes much earlier than the owner's manual suggests because the most wear in an engine occurs during the break-in period, and the oil filter cannot remove all contaminants [00:46].
• Recommended Schedule:
  1. First Oil Change: Around 500 miles.
  2. Second Oil Change: Around 1,500 miles.
  3. Third Oil Change: Around 3,000 miles (Totaling three oil changes in the first 5,000 miles) [01:10].
• Warming Up the Oil: Always drive the vehicle to get the oil warmed up before draining. This lowers the viscosity, allowing the oil to drain faster and remove more debris [01:43].
• Filter Strategy: The speaker suggests not changing the oil filter during the first two early oil changes because filters become more efficient as they get older. Changing the filter would "reset the performance," so the original equipment filter is left on until the third change [04:56].
• Oil Used: Toyota's OEM 0W20 oil is used for the first changes to establish a baseline wear measurement [05:22].
• Flushing: The procedure includes pouring one quart of new oil through the engine after draining to flush out any remaining residual oil [06:01].

Engine Break-in Driving Tips

While adhering to the owner's manual advice (avoiding hard braking, towing, and extended drives at the same RPM), the speaker emphasizes the need to not "baby" the engine [02:31]:

• After the engine is up to operating temperature, you must give it some throttle [02:44].
• Reaching peak torque creates the necessary peak cylinder pressure for the piston rings to break in properly against the cylinder walls [02:57].

Oil Analysis Results

The oil analysis data supports the need for early changes, confirming that engines are not fully broken in from the factory:

• Initial Sample (487 miles): Showed high levels of silicon (from RTV sealants), copper, and a higher overall wear rate, which is typical during break-in [07:31].
• Second Sample (~2,000 miles total): Showed a "perfect trend analysis," with silicon, copper, and wear metal rates all dropping [08:35]. This indicates the engine was still breaking in even after 2,000 miles [07:15].

Science Over Speculation

The main takeaway is that while the owner's manual is a great starting point, a certified lubrication specialist should use science and data (oil analysis) to guide maintenance decisions [10:21]. If the data suggests the owner's manual schedule is not optimum, the data should be followed to ensure the engine's longest possible life [10:48].

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[4running]

In case anyone's wondering, this guy isn't just another self-proclaimed expert Youtuber. Motor Oil Geek is Lake Speed Jr. His father was NASCAR driver Lake Speed (and grandson of Leland Speed). His company Speed Diagnostix does oil analysis and works with NASCAR team Joe Gibbs Racing (Team Toyota). He developed their lubrication program.

 

[chavachon]

This video arrived too late for me… My first oil change was a 5k miles

 

[drNick]

Can’t think of a better knowledge in the field. What I like about his narrative is that he explains everything in a very simple language and uses arguments supported by practical analysis. I happen to have a very good knowledge of petrochemical chemistry and can tell that Lake is an expert.

Any car owner should follow his and Ahmed’s, the “Care Care Nut” advice. Both guys preach the truth.

 

[drNick]

This video arrived too late for me… My first oil change was a 5k miles

Another good example why we shouldn’t follow the car manufacturer’s recommendations 100% of the time. Extra care is better than neglect. Personally I change my oil following exactly the same protocol and run my 4Runner on Costco Premium gas. Hopefully the car will pay me back for that.

 

[Vincenzo]

He also says, don’t add anything to your oil. Its all snake oil and will probably ruin the oil you just put in there

 

[drNick]

I personally never saw the point of using oil additives. If one doesn’t like a particular oil, there are hundreds of other options to choose from. Different base oil chemistry, different additive packages, etc. I have a couple of go to oils. Use them all and stick to the one which my car likes the most (engine smoothness, oil detergent performance, temperature stability, etc). Turbo engines are especially demanding in that.

 

[TurboGuy2000]

These are turbo motors. Change the oil often and use the best, most expensive oil. Too poor to afford good and frequent oil changes? Don't buy a $50,000+ turbo truck.

 

[elecfuyu]

Well, there will always be those old timers who think manufacture put in additive in new engine or transmission to "break it in". Which has been proven absolutely wrong many times.
What manufacture has in there is assembly grease, which are where those silicon comes from.
They are only there to protect the material at "very first crank over".

I have already done 2 oil canges at 4000mile. Still get people call me doing it too excessve.
Which in fact it's still not enough.

I had a Mitsubishi EVO X with a 2.0 4cyl turbo pushing 300hp stock, I did 300mile oil change interval up until 1500 miles. Which means 5 oil changes at 1500miles mark, the dyno number shocked everyone which it puts out 10 more wheel hp at stock than other stock EVO X, this is achived just by doing multiple oil change and proper break in on the engine (not baby it and not thrashing it).

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yep,
I fall into the same practices with new cars. I have just under 600 miles on mine and have already done one oc. Interestingly right after the fresh oil was put in the engine liked it significantly and MPG went up.
I did not see anything out of the ordinary as far as debris that would be alarming other than some very very slight glitter.

Probably will be doing a second OC at around 1K then fall into the 3K oci, These are so simple to do an OC, can do it in less than 45 minutes.
First OC I used Kirkland 020 full synthetic, the next OC I'll jump over to Castrol 020.
I've tried many many high grade brands of oil over the years and find that if they're certified and have the API badge you cannot go wrong.
Just my two cents.

 

[6thGen1419]

“The Motor Oil Geek” Lake posted today a video describing the proper, according to him, break-in oil change protocol for the Toyota 2.4 turbo engine of the 4Runner, the Tacoma, the Land Cruiser, etc. I tend to trust this guy because everything he talks about is based on scientific test and makes sense both from practical standpoint and petrochemical analysis.

Summary of the key points (compiled by AI):

Engine Break-in and Early Oil Change Strategy

• Aggressive Early Changes: The speaker recommends performing oil changes much earlier than the owner's manual suggests because the most wear in an engine occurs during the break-in period, and the oil filter cannot remove all contaminants [00:46].
• Recommended Schedule:
  1. First Oil Change: Around 500 miles.
  2. Second Oil Change: Around 1,500 miles.
  3. Third Oil Change: Around 3,000 miles (Totaling three oil changes in the first 5,000 miles) [01:10].
• Warming Up the Oil: Always drive the vehicle to get the oil warmed up before draining. This lowers the viscosity, allowing the oil to drain faster and remove more debris [01:43].
• Filter Strategy: The speaker suggests not changing the oil filter during the first two early oil changes because filters become more efficient as they get older. Changing the filter would "reset the performance," so the original equipment filter is left on until the third change [04:56].
• Oil Used: Toyota's OEM 0W20 oil is used for the first changes to establish a baseline wear measurement [05:22].
• Flushing: The procedure includes pouring one quart of new oil through the engine after draining to flush out any remaining residual oil [06:01].

Engine Break-in Driving Tips

While adhering to the owner's manual advice (avoiding hard braking, towing, and extended drives at the same RPM), the speaker emphasizes the need to not "baby" the engine [02:31]:

• After the engine is up to operating temperature, you must give it some throttle [02:44].
• Reaching peak torque creates the necessary peak cylinder pressure for the piston rings to break in properly against the cylinder walls [02:57].

Oil Analysis Results

The oil analysis data supports the need for early changes, confirming that engines are not fully broken in from the factory:

• Initial Sample (487 miles): Showed high levels of silicon (from RTV sealants), copper, and a higher overall wear rate, which is typical during break-in [07:31].
• Second Sample (~2,000 miles total): Showed a "perfect trend analysis," with silicon, copper, and wear metal rates all dropping [08:35]. This indicates the engine was still breaking in even after 2,000 miles [07:15].

Science Over Speculation

The main takeaway is that while the owner's manual is a great starting point, a certified lubrication specialist should use science and data (oil analysis) to guide maintenance decisions [10:21]. If the data suggests the owner's manual schedule is not optimum, the data should be followed to ensure the engine's longest possible life [10:48].

 

[danimaldaisy]

I’ll be honest. I’ve owned a LOT of cars. Unless you are hell bent on driving your vehicle until it falls apart don’t bother. None of my vehicles have ever had an issue. I also don’t keep a car long enough to have to get it smogged.
So in a nutshell if you trade in your car every 6 years or earlier don’t bother. I’ve been in every forum for far to many vehicles for way to many years to read the same thing over and over again. As long as you don’t abuse your vehicle it will be just fine.

 

[6thGen1419]

Six weeks after purchase at 750 total miles, left for a 2525 mile road trip. Didn't have time or setup to change the oil and filter until a week after we got back at 3333 miles.

 

[drNick]

When I buy a new car on the first oil change, I always replace the oil drain bolt with a Fumoto valve. This makes all subsequent oil changes so much easier and cleaner, so I don’t have to spend any effort to do it. The only major thing is replacing the filter. On the 4Runner the skid plate which comes with the TRD ORP is completely useless. I replaced it with Rival4x4 aluminum plate, which has service ports for both the oil and the filter. All this makes the oil changes a breeze.

 

[sstarrx2]

Another good example why we shouldn’t follow the car manufacturer’s recommendations 100% of the time. Extra care is better than neglect. Personally I change my oil following exactly the same protocol and run my 4Runner on Costco Premium gas. Hopefully the car will pay me back for that.

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