First oil change at 2K miles and every 5K miles after - thoughts?

[2025 4WD RUNNER]

I just bought a brand new 2025 SRS in the underground color and loving it. Dealer says 10K oil changes. I'm thinking 5K oil changes with the 1st one at 2K miles. What are your thoughts! Thanks-JIM from Pensacola FL

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[shine]

Congrats on your new 4Runner!

Sorry to say so, but I don't think you'll find anyone on this board with an opinion on when you should change your oil. Or what viscosity you should use for that matter. /s

 

[2025 4WD RUNNER]

Congrats on your new 4Runner!

Sorry to say so, but I don't think you'll find anyone on this board with an opinion on when you should change your oil. Or what viscosity you should use for that matter. /s

I hate to hear that my friend. Probably move to another forum. Thanks--JIM

 

[shine]

...or you can try this for entertainment

 

[SC4Runner]

Everyone has their opinion, and it’s been debated and discussed ad nauseam. Read all the opinions, watch the videos, do some research and do what you think is best. I’ve been beat up one minute and praised the next for my choices! Good luck!

 

[NotApplicable]

Oh no, the religious oil wars have started again after many seconds of peace!

 

[2025 4WD RUNNER]

Oh no, the religious oil wars have started again after many seconds of peace!

LOL !!!!! I didn't mean to make everyone mad!!! LOL !!!! I'm going to change the oil at 1K miles and every 5K thereafter. Just for my own peace of mine. I plan on putting 300K miles on this one and want to keep it running great.

 

[NotApplicable]

LOL !!!!! I didn't mean to make everyone mad!!! LOL !!!! I'm going to change the oil at 1K miles and every 5K thereafter. Just for my own peace of mine. I plan on putting 300K miles on this one and want to keep it running great.

For what it's worth, your plan is almost identical to my own!

 

[JasonNewYork]

Jim - congrats on your new 4Runner. Do your research but it boils down to piece of mind. Do you what you feel comfortable doing. It never hurts to do maintenance early. One could argue it's waste of time and resources.

I did my first oil change at 1K and I'm just coming up to 5K and will do it again. I'm sticking to 5K intervals for as long as I own it. My local dealer has sales and coupons for Toyotas online parts site. Both times, I bought 6 qts of oil, oil filter, and drain plug washer for $35 plus tax. At that price, you really can't go wrong doing it "earlier". I plan on bringing it to the dealer for the free Toyota Care stuff.

 

[Joestac]

Congrats on the new ride and oil changes are a hot topic for sure.

On my '22 WRX, I did a change at 1000 miles, and then every 3000 after that until I sold it with 36,000 miles on it. Also did my diffs at 15,000 and my PCV at 30,000.

On my TrailHunter, I did the change at 500, I am going to do another at 1500, not changing the filter both times. Then do one more at 3000-5000 changing the filter. Will probably doing every 5000 at a normal cadence.

Not saying this is right or wrong, but it is what I am doing, and I am fine spending the money for peace of mind, even if it is just placebo. I have the means and the tools, so why not.

 

[DannyvanDelft]

Your car, your choice. Easy as that. After the break-in mine is getting 5W-30 Liquimoly. I do about 5000-6000 miles a year so mine is getting changed each year rather than mileage.

For intervals keep usage in mind. If you live in flat country, don't tow heavy and most of your miles are on the highway, 10k is absolutely fine with a quality oil. If your engine sees more abuse, so heavy loads and a lot of torque output like climbing mountains, off-roading, heavy towing, change it more often.

The only right answer is "it depends"

 

[JasonNewYork]

I would like to add, my 5K intervals are a result of a very bad experience with another turbo engine. My wife had a first gen Chey Trax with a 1.4L turbo engine. I stuck to the GM maintenance system. It took into account run time, load, engine speed, etc. We were averaging 7-8k intervals based on this system. Like Toyota Care, GM had a similar free maintenance program as well. That car, need a new cat and turbo before 60K. The mechanic said the engine was full of carbon (direct injected). I was fortunate enough to get it all coverage under the powertrain warranty. Once that expired, I traded it in. The service writer told me they were advising customers to change oil no more than 5K based on the high rate of turbo failures.

Based on my personal experience, I do not want to take any chances with the 4Runner. She ended up buying another Trax, 2nd gen this time. I have been changing that oil every 5K, ignoring the GM system altogether. This car has been worlds better than the previous gen.

 

[DannyvanDelft]

I would like to add, my 5K intervals are a result of a very bad experience with another turbo engine. My wife had a first gen Chey Trax with a 1.4L turbo engine. I stuck to the GM maintenance system. It took into account run time, load, engine speed, etc. We were averaging 7-8k intervals based on this system. Like Toyota Care, GM had a similar free maintenance program as well. That car, need a new cat and turbo before 60K. The mechanic said the engine was full of carbon (direct injected). I was fortunate enough to get it all coverage under the powertrain warranty. Once that expired, I traded it in. The service writer told me they were advising customers to change oil no more than 5K based on the high rate of turbo failures.

Based on my personal experience, I do not want to take any chances with the 4Runner. She ended up buying another Trax, 2nd gen this time. I have been changing that oil every 5K, ignoring the GM system altogether. This car has been worlds better than the previous gen.

That has a lot more to do with it being a Chevy lump.

 

[2025 4WD RUNNER]

Jim - congrats on your new 4Runner. Do your research but it boils down to piece of mind. Do you what you feel comfortable doing. It never hurts to do maintenance early. One could argue it's waste of time and resources.

I did my first oil change at 1K and I'm just coming up to 5K and will do it again. I'm sticking to 5K intervals for as long as I own it. My local dealer has sales and coupons for Toyotas online parts site. Both times, I bought 6 qts of oil, oil filter, and drain plug washer for $35 plus tax. At that price, you really can't go wrong doing it "earlier". I plan on bringing it to the dealer for the free Toyota Care stuff.

I like the way you think! Peace of mind is everything in this world!! Thank you!

 

[Bad Pete]

I like your plan. I did my first change at 2k and im going to do it at 5 to 6k after that. I suppose I could do it every 10k since I don't abuse it or tow alot but why chance it especially with a turbo.

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