Do you change your oil every 3,000 or 5,000 miles?

Question

Usually its 3000 but my Toyota is new and they said ever 5,000 miles. What should I do?

My Toyota Dealer said every 5,000 miles with the Corolla but with my Hyundai I did it ever 3,000. I wanted to know if others who own Toyota's were told this?

Answer 1

After experience with 3 Corollas, all with high mileage, I change oil every 5k. None of them have been oil burners, and I'm not a high mileage driver. No use wasting the money on changes. I spend it on high mileage oil instead. I'm near 300k on my 1990 wagon, and think I'm doing ok. Still no oil consumption nearing the 5k change. Oil users and high mileage drivers (high speed drivers, too) probably shouldn't push it.

Answer 2

While it is under warranty, you must follow their directions, or change it more often.

On my 2002 Sienna, they say every 7,500 miles. I changed it every 3000 or so miles until the warranty expired, then went to Mobil-1 synthetic.

If I use Extended Performance, I let it go around 7000 miles of high speed highway driving (which is what I mostly do. Last summer I drove 11,000 miles in 59 days.)

If I use regular Mobil-1, which is rated 7500 miles, I change it at 5,000.

If you wish to change it every 3,000 miles with regular (non-synthetic) oil, that is a valid choice. Many people do that.

Oil changes depend upon the driving. Cold weather, and short trips wreck oil quickly. Highway driving is good for oil. Recently a woman said I think on Car Talk that her car was 10 years old with 12,000 miles and wondered how often to change the oil The Brothers told her every six months.

I prefer to look at the oil and learn how to tell when it's all yukky, and go by that even if the mileage is very low. My Mobil-1 EP after 7,000 miles on the highway still looks pretty good.

Answer 3

I have been told by many dealers and mechanics and dealers that you only have to do it every 5,000 miles in newer model cars, but I still do it every 3,000 miles. I just traded in a 1995 chevy blazer with over 200,000 miles on it with a strong engine and no oil leaks doin it that way. I also run Lucas in all my engines. You can find it at any Auto Zone. They can tell you about it. I generally drive Toyota's. They are great vehicles. I always recommend 3,000. For Filter and Oil. I keep editing this because I am reading what every one else has written. I started driving toyotas when i learned to drive. Toyota's engines are built to last. If you take care of them you will have no problems. I saw one go over 500,000 miles. With regular maitence at 3,000 miles, oil and filter, my grandfathers truck. it only had a pinsize oil leak, he never replaced anything major on it. Just replace oil and filter and you should be fine. I always believed that a toyotas engine could be on the ground and it would still run. They are great. I was taught by him to do it every 3,000 miles and that is what I still do and have never had any problems with any of my engines new or old, just stay constient with your oil and never change the brand or type and you will be fine. I wish you luck.

Answer 4

It depends how long you plan to keep the car the less miles in between oil changes the longer your engine will last in the long run. Choosing between 5,000 or 3,000 won't make a big difference the first 100,000 or even 150,00 but it will eventually. I think that is also a 5w20 car which usually comes in a synthetic so 5,000 isn't to far of a mileage to change your oil. Synthetic is said to last as long as 15,000 miles but remember the best oil you put in is only as good as the filter.

And whatever you pick the 20-30,00 advice is a bad idea and your motor won't last you very long

Answer 5

If you're like me and do most of your driving on the highway, you can get away with changing your oil less often, like 5,000 or 6,000 miles. But if most of your driving is stop-and-go and/or short trips (say, less than 20 minutes from Point A to Point B) you should change your oil every 3,000 miles.

Answer 6

Why does it want to get replaced each 3000 miles? except you employ your automobile as a taxi or haul plenty up mountains prevalent the 3000 mile oil replace delusion is basically that: a delusion and an entire waste of money. replacing each 5000 miles (or regardless of your vendors guide reccommends) with a correct high quality oil is more desirable than adequate. This has been shown time and time back -- even through client comments.

Answer 7

I fully agreed with {sarge927}.

5000 on the car I drove (90miles a day)

3000-5000 on my wife’s older car depends on mileage.

Changing oil at 3000 is when you didn't drive enough for the engine to heat up long enough to vaporize the water vapor inside the engine to keep out the slug build up.

5000 on new cars is normal.

Toyota use to have two maintenance schedules at 3750 and 7500 based on driving condition. But as people don't follow the rules and change oil at 7500 but needed at 3750, the engine have problems arise before the engineer design (witch still last a long time). So they just changed to 5000 for all new Toyotas and built their engine that could take at lease 5000 before oil change.

Answer 8

I would not go more than 3000 miles. Oil is the life blood of your engine regardless of it being conventional oil or synthetic. Oil gets dirty and you don't want all that stuff in the engine. Your car manual should have service intervals for regular driving and severe driving. Look at the severe checklist and if any of the items apply to you go with the severe duty schedule. I have a 1989 Chevy Astro van that I have always used Mobil1 synthetic oil in and it now has 274,000 miles on it and still runs like new. Don't scrimp on maintenance and your car will last for many years. Think of of this way, you take care of your car and your car will take care of you.

Answer 9

What good is an answer from someone who knows as little as you?

Most manufacturers recommend 7500 mile (and 15000 with synthetic oil)
Consumer Reports tested NY taxis. They changed oil every 7500 miles, and after 75000 miles they took the engines apart and they looked almost new.

3000 is a waste of money - follow your owner's manual , or do it every 7500.

Answer 10

I follow my scheduled maintenance guide that came with my car, and I'd suggest the same for you.

For US Toyotas:
http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/

My US 2001 Toyota Prius is every 6 months or 7500 miles. My US 2004 Toyota Prius is every 6 months or 5000 miles. Friends of mine in Europe and the UK with a Toyota Prius laugh at me, as their scheduled maintenance guides say changes every 12 months/10,000 miles...