Blackstone Labs Oil Report After Second Oil Change at ~15,000 Miles (Gas Non-Hybrid Engine)

[ngfilla94]

I just received my oil analysis after sending in a sample after my second oil change. I went into ownership with the intention of maintaining a ~7,500 mile oil change interval, as that's what I've done on other vehicles with a recommended 10k interval.

Everything seems to check out pretty good. I do tend to drive a little bit harder than the average person, so that is something to keep in mind. My driving is probably 60% highway, 40% city/short drives. This oil interval also included a road trip from St. Louis, MO to Breckenridge, CO (1,300 miles each way), unsure how much that plays into oil degradation, if at all.

Curious to see results from others to compare.

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[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

Looks encouraging though it would be interesting more to know how long your turbos last on your 7,500 mile OCIs as compared to say 3,750 mile OCIs.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I would guess that the oil analysis would be pretty accurate as to how the viscosity is breaking down. Turbos are notoriously hard on oil especially when they're run hard and hot. But your long highway miles are probably much better for it than the average light to light. I've been wanting to do an oil analysis but for the cost I can change the oil it's a lot easier!

 

[Lucky09]

This is not at all intended to be rude or sound critical of the OP, but on you tube there is a guy called "The Car Care Nut." He suggests that with turbos, we should change the oil every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.
But 7500 is definitely smarter than the 10,000 interval suggested by Toyota.
If doing your own oil changes, make life easier and install an oil pan spigot - saves so much time.

Also, the 4runner looks sweet! Love the ditch lights, heritage grill and lightbar.

I love look of the crossbars on the roof.

 

[ngfilla94]

This is not at all intended to be rude or sound critical of the OP, but on you tube there is a guy called "The Car Care Nut." He suggests that with turbos, we should change the oil every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.
But 7500 is definitely smarter than the 10,000 interval suggested by Toyota.
If doing your own oil changes, make life easier and install an oil pan spigot - saves so much time.

Also, the 4runner looks sweet! Love the ditch lights, heritage grill and lightbar.

I love look of the crossbars on the roof.

If people feel inclined to follow his suggestion, then more power to them. To me, changing the oil at 1/3 of what the manufacturer recommends (ie, 3x as often) is a little absurd, but everyone is allowed to do whatever they want for their peace of mind. This report gives me peace of mind to continue as planned. I'll likely send another sample in around 30k-40k to see if it's trending the same.

 

[kekecarioca]

Thanks for sharing OP. We can start sleeping better at night.

I'm gonna stick with 5k intervals (did one break in before 6K) for ease of tracking. I was doing 4-5k intervals on my 3rd gen for 120k miles and it still runs smooth as butter w/ 328K on the clock.
I got 21K now and plan to do it @ 25k and so on.
These OC are easy as Toyota truck goes. the oil filter location on the T24-Fks. The 5vz-fe is another story for those who know...

 

[Lucky09]

Agree

 

[Lucky09]

If people feel inclined to follow his suggestion, then more power to them. To me, changing the oil at 1/3 of what the manufacturer recommends (ie, 3x as often) is a little absurd, but everyone is allowed to do whatever they want for their peace of mind. This report gives me peace of mind to continue as planned. I'll likely send another sample in around 30k-40k to see if it's trending the same.

Personally, 5k is "peace of mind" for me.
But that is solely based on assumption.
I am interested in the results of your next oil change. Again assuming, but I think the levels will improve... assumably.

 

[MikeUtah]

I just received my oil analysis after sending in a sample after my second oil change. I went into ownership with the intention of maintaining a ~7,500 mile oil change interval, as that's what I've done on other vehicles with a recommended 10k interval.

Everything seems to check out pretty good. I do tend to drive a little bit harder than the average person, so that is something to keep in mind. My driving is probably 60% highway, 40% city/short drives. This oil interval also included a road trip from St. Louis, MO to Breckenridge, CO (1,300 miles each way), unsure how much that plays into oil degradation, if at all.

Curious to see results from others to compare.

Thanks for sharing your oil analysis!

Historically, I have used an OCI of 7,500 miles, for the ~million miles I have put on (4) 4runners, with no problems.

Disclaimer: I’m not an oil expert like ‘The Motor Oil Geek’ and I’m not suggesting, encouraging or telling anyone to follow what I do concerning OCI!​

Comments on your oil analysis:

• Great to see the viscosity is still in grade.
• It appears the oil has done its job for 7,784 miles.
• Based on the fact that both the *TBN result (2.0) and the *Flashpoint result (385 F) are both ‘just’ outside the acceptable ranges (TBN >2.0, flashpoint >385 F), it appears the oil is at the end of it useful life.
• Blackstone pointed out, it is probably ‘okay’ to run an additional 1,216 miles (9,000 - 7,784 = 1,216) on the oil. However, that means you are using the oil to the absolute end of its life.
• By sticking to your 7,500 mile OCI, it appears the oil is good to go!

Notes and additional comments:

• As ‘The Motor Oil Geek’ has stated many times, if you really, really, really want to know when to change your oil, based on your driving habits, type of vehicle, type of oil etc., you need to base your decision on science – oil analysis.
• If you don’t want to mess with the expense and trouble of oil analyses, just change your oil on a regular basis. Many folks, me included, are using a precautionary OCI of 5,000 miles based on the unknown impact of turbos and the overall lack of long term data on the powertrain.

*TBN (Total Base Number) oil analysis measures the remaining alkaline additives in engine oil used to neutralize corrosive acids, acting as a crucial indicator of oil life and detergent depletion.

*Flashpoint oil analysis determines the lowest temperature at which oil vapor ignites, acting as a critical indicator of fuel dilution, solvent contamination, or oil degradation.

 

[HVLA]

Looks encouraging though it would be interesting more to know how long your turbos last on your 7,500 mile OCIs as compared to say 3,750 mile OCIs.

Exactly. 7500 intervals will be fine for the engine, not the turbos.

 

[bird]

Exactly. 7500 intervals will be fine for the engine, not the turbos.

I am not mechnically inclined, can you please clarify why the turbo would have issues? Doesn't the turbo just spin around to pull more air through the engine? What would the 7,500 mile OCI have to do with the turbo itself?

 

[TSP63]

The turbo is powered (spun) by exhaust gases which are extremely hot. The turbocharger has bearings that allow the impeller to spin at high RPM’s which draws In air used to pressurize the combustion chamber. The bearings are lubricated by the engine oil. The oil is critical to the life of the turbocharger. This is why you see a lot of owners myself included, that will change the oil sooner than the 10,000 mile interval specified by Toyota. This is why the OCI is related to the turbo. Hope this helps.

 

[bird]

The bearings are lubricated by the engine oil. The oil is critical to the life of the turbocharger.

That explains it. I probably should have just Googled this... thank you!

 

[doubleosullivan]

This is not at all intended to be rude or sound critical of the OP, but on you tube there is a guy called "The Car Care Nut." He suggests that with turbos, we should change the oil every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.
But 7500 is definitely smarter than the 10,000 interval suggested by Toyota.
If doing your own oil changes, make life easier and

I also love "The Car Care Nut". Glad the report is good, but his point about changing the oil on the earlier side is if you get a bad reports its usually too late.

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