Hey ummm... when the dealer does the free oil changes.. do they replace the oil filter too? I had mine changed at 3K.. but its now 5K miles so... I want to know if i should replace it.

oil and filter must be changed

Check in the back of those manuals you got in the glove box. There are three coupons and it should say if it includes the filter.

when you change oil, you gotta get the oil filter changed, its not good for the car, you can change the oil but no the filter, but its not recommended that you do that.

no i'm just wondering if they did it for me or i have to do it myself... i'm guessing they didnt do it

Typically your supposed to change the filter every OTHER oil change, but check the manaul for intervals. It will state the intervals for both oil (5000 miles) and then for the filter...

i just got my first free one in cali, they called it a "free oil and filter change"

Same here, got my oil and filter change at 3K, the service person asked me why would I "WASTE" a free oil change at 3K when it's only required at 5K!...Silly Man!!

it includes the filter and the oil. they wouldnt change the oil without changin the filter :)

I took or recieved my free oil change a couple of weeks ago and they changed the oil and filer. They even gave me a nice little car wash.

Same here, got my oil and filter change at 3K, the service person asked me why would I "WASTE" a free oil change at 3K when it's only required at 5K!...Silly Man!!Stealership told me to change mine at the first 3K too due to metal fragments from engine break-in, not sure if I believe them, but probably good insurance.

Same here, got my oil and filter change at 3K, the service person asked me why would I "WASTE" a free oil change at 3K when it's only required at 5K!...Silly Man!!Stealership told me to change mine at the first 3K too due to metal fragments from engine break-in, not sure if I believe them, but probably good insurance.I'm also going to mark my oil filter to make sure they actually change it, too-it's not the "STEALERSHIP" for nothing!!! :rofl:

Look on your receipt. There should be a part # listed for a filter along with the oil.

yup

Same here, got my oil and filter change at 3K, the service person asked me why would I "WASTE" a free oil change at 3K when it's only required at 5K!...Silly Man!!

I thought oil was supposed to be changed every 3k miles anyway?

yea my reciept shows nothing... which is why i'm worried

Same here, got my oil and filter change at 3K, the service person asked me why would I "WASTE" a free oil change at 3K when it's only required at 5K!...Silly Man!!

I thought oil was supposed to be changed every 3k miles anyway?

Changing at 3k is a farce, created by oil companies to sucker you into buying more.

3k was standard back then

but i still do it
and it also varies to your driving

Every 5k and includes the filter.

But that doesn't mean that is what gets done.

Each car is different. Changing more often (3K) instead of 5K isn't going to hurt. It is like changing your tires,brakes or battery before being totally worn out is a good thing. So if 3k makes you happy do it

Where is everyone getting these free oil change coupons at? I didn't get any when I bought my Xb.

You get them when you buy your car. If you didn't get them, go request it.

Are they in with the first aid kit and all the manuals maybe, or did the dealer hand them to you?

your manual comes with the coupons,they should be in back of the maintinence book

you don't really need them for some places... they keep track electronically.

i have one left..dope

I found this information saying that you should change every 3k considering what regulare driving conditions are, and this is from Volvo- I always have changed at 3k and will continue to do so regardless of what the book says- lol

"Most of us already know that regularly scheduled oil and filter changes are a vital part of routine car maintenance that is necessary for engine longevity.
During the miles between changes, the oil in your vehicle's engine gradually becomes contaminated with soot, metal particles, gasoline and other impurities. As mileage accumulates, so do the contaminants in the oil. Eventually, enough impurities accumulate that the filter cannot remove them and the oil cannot keep them in suspension.

When this happens, the resulting sludge can dramatically shorten engine life.

Even though modern technology has vastly improved engines and the oils that lubricate them, regularly scheduled oil and filter changes are still a vital part of regular, preventative auto maintenance. The question is: Just how often does the oil need to be changed?

At regular intervals
The old mantra of responsible motorists that said, "Change your oil every 3,000 miles!" is being replaced. Today car manufacturers' recommendations for oil changes range from 5,000 to 7,500, or even 10,000 miles for many cars when operated under "normal" driving conditions—more often if conditions are "severe."

Before you relax, let me point out that the way most of us drive is listed as severe by the automotive experts. According to the owner's manuals of many new cars and trucks, normal operation of a vehicle is at least 20 minutes, at a medium speed with a steady throttle, and in a clean environment.

According to one car maker's owner's manual, the oil change interval is seven months or 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions, three months or 3,000 miles under severe conditions. This is how severe is defined in the manual:


Repeated, short distance driving.
Extended periods of idling or low speed operation.
Extensive use of brakes.
More than 50 percent driving in heavy city traffic during hot weather above 90 degrees F.
Driving for a prolonged period of time in cold temperatures and/or extremely humid climates.
Driving in dusty conditions or sandy areas.
Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used.
Driving on rough or muddy roads.
Driving in mountainous areas.
Well, it looks like the old mantra about oil changes isn't out of date after all. But what about synthetic oils, don't they extend oil change intervals?

Several car manufacturers do recommend synthetic oil for their high-performance models because of the superior protection from friction and extreme temperatures. The protection comes from the processing required to manufacture the base stock and the different additive packages they require.

Despite this better performance, synthetic additives wear out just as they do in conventional motor oils, and need to be changed. The key is driving conditions — normal or severe.

How about just changing the oil filter, can a car be driven farther between oil changes?

Changing the filter is great, but the oil must be changed along with it, given that the oil's additives wear out and contaminants get into the oil itself. The filter can only capture the bigger particles suspended in the oil, not replenish spent additives.

Pinching pennies
From an economic point of view, it would appear that waiting an extra few thousand miles between changes will save money. For example, based on $25 oil changes every 5,000 miles instead of 3,000 miles, more than $300 is saved per 100,000 miles. Sounds pretty good, but if you drive the average of 17,000 miles a year, it will take you almost six years to reach that mileage — or $50 per year savings.

Extending the oil change interval beyond what the manufacturer recommends can seriously shorten the useful life of your engine, and cost you several times that $300 savings. Just ask a professional service technician how often he or she changes the oil and filter on their personal vehicle. Chances are the answer will be 3,000 miles.

That's the answer given by Don Beyer, automotive services director for AAA's Washington/Inland chapter. Beyer, an ASE master technician and former repair-shop owner, says that it is imperative to change the engine oil and filter every three months or 3,000 miles. "I'm doubtful that anyone, regardless of where they live, drives under the normal conditions defined in owner's manuals."

Bottom line: Don't push the limits of motor oil and flirt with damaging your car's engine, especially when chump change is all it takes for an oil change. "

hmm i called the toyota service place today ... the person i spoke to said that the service included changing the filter...

my receipt does show a line item...
01TOSSLOF Street smart LOF
Sienna/ECHO/4WD-24.95
4-Runner/V-8-------29.95
would that be the oil filter?

I found this information saying that you should change every 3k considering what regulare driving conditions are, and this is from Volvo- I always have changed at 3k and will continue to do so regardless of what the book says- lol

"Most of us already know that regularly scheduled oil and filter changes are a vital part of routine car maintenance that is necessary for engine longevity.
During the miles between changes, the oil in your vehicle's engine gradually becomes contaminated with soot, metal particles, gasoline and other impurities. As mileage accumulates, so do the contaminants in the oil. Eventually, enough impurities accumulate that the filter cannot remove them and the oil cannot keep them in suspension.

When this happens, the resulting sludge can dramatically shorten engine life.

Even though modern technology has vastly improved engines and the oils that lubricate them, regularly scheduled oil and filter changes are still a vital part of regular, preventative auto maintenance. The question is: Just how often does the oil need to be changed?

At regular intervals
The old mantra of responsible motorists that said, "Change your oil every 3,000 miles!" is being replaced. Today car manufacturers' recommendations for oil changes range from 5,000 to 7,500, or even 10,000 miles for many cars when operated under "normal" driving conditions—more often if conditions are "severe."

Before you relax, let me point out that the way most of us drive is listed as severe by the automotive experts. According to the owner's manuals of many new cars and trucks, normal operation of a vehicle is at least 20 minutes, at a medium speed with a steady throttle, and in a clean environment.

According to one car maker's owner's manual, the oil change interval is seven months or 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions, three months or 3,000 miles under severe conditions. This is how severe is defined in the manual:


Repeated, short distance driving.
Extended periods of idling or low speed operation.
Extensive use of brakes.
More than 50 percent driving in heavy city traffic during hot weather above 90 degrees F.
Driving for a prolonged period of time in cold temperatures and/or extremely humid climates.
Driving in dusty conditions or sandy areas.
Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used.
Driving on rough or muddy roads.
Driving in mountainous areas.
Well, it looks like the old mantra about oil changes isn't out of date after all. But what about synthetic oils, don't they extend oil change intervals?

Several car manufacturers do recommend synthetic oil for their high-performance models because of the superior protection from friction and extreme temperatures. The protection comes from the processing required to manufacture the base stock and the different additive packages they require.

Despite this better performance, synthetic additives wear out just as they do in conventional motor oils, and need to be changed. The key is driving conditions — normal or severe.

How about just changing the oil filter, can a car be driven farther between oil changes?

Changing the filter is great, but the oil must be changed along with it, given that the oil's additives wear out and contaminants get into the oil itself. The filter can only capture the bigger particles suspended in the oil, not replenish spent additives.

Pinching pennies
From an economic point of view, it would appear that waiting an extra few thousand miles between changes will save money. For example, based on $25 oil changes every 5,000 miles instead of 3,000 miles, more than $300 is saved per 100,000 miles. Sounds pretty good, but if you drive the average of 17,000 miles a year, it will take you almost six years to reach that mileage — or $50 per year savings.

Extending the oil change interval beyond what the manufacturer recommends can seriously shorten the useful life of your engine, and cost you several times that $300 savings. Just ask a professional service technician how often he or she changes the oil and filter on their personal vehicle. Chances are the answer will be 3,000 miles.

That's the answer given by Don Beyer, automotive services director for AAA's Washington/Inland chapter. Beyer, an ASE master technician and former repair-shop owner, says that it is imperative to change the engine oil and filter every three months or 3,000 miles. "I'm doubtful that anyone, regardless of where they live, drives under the normal conditions defined in owner's manuals."

Bottom line: Don't push the limits of motor oil and flirt with damaging your car's engine, especially when chump change is all it takes for an oil change. "Wow, and I thought my posts were long! The actual answer is oil analysis, with synthetic oil extended change intervals do NO damage to engines-there are trucking companies that run upwards of 100K with only changing filters(with a bypass oil filter on a diesel). The limitation for us is warranty-better have your receipts if you have an engine failure within 5/60.

I switched to full synthetic at 2K. I had the free oil change at 7k. I supplied the oil, and they didn't bat an eye. Didn't mention any of my mods either. I got a card in the mail saying my 10k oil change was due. I'll wait till the 12k mark.

hmm i called the toyota service place today ... the person i spoke to said that the service included changing the filter...

my receipt does show a line item...
01TOSSLOF Street smart LOF
Sienna/ECHO/4WD-24.95
4-Runner/V-8-------29.95
would that be the oil filter?

That would be a really expensive filter. I am betting that's for the whole thing. Just a guess.