I asked about the very first oil change to get rid of small metals in the engine. Everyone says something different.

Scion Manual: 5000 miles

Toyota: No need to get first oil change early. Get first one at 5000, and everyone afterwards at 5000 intervals.

Toyota (another one): Get first one at 3750, and every 3750. 5000 is a minimum. We recommend 3750 instead.

Misc. People: First one is very important. Get it at 1000 miles or less.

What have you guys/gals been doing with oil changes? Im tempted to go get one because I am at 1450. But I dont wanna waste money if I dont need one.

 

did my first one 25 mi
the second at 300 mi
the third at 1000 mi
the fourth at 3000 mi
comming up on 6000mi...time to change again...

filters every time too....

 

I follow this one. I figure I'd play it safe. After all we get 3 free oil changes.
I was told once, you can never change oil too often, so when in doubt change it.

I'll go to Mobile1 after my 3 free changes.

 

Ummm.... Isnt that a little overdoing it?

 

Toyota (another one): Get first one at 3750, and every 3750. 5000 is a minimum. We recommend 3750 instead.

Do you mean 5000 is a MAXIMUM because why would they say 5000 is a minimum and then recommend 3750?

This topic has been discussed before. If you have the money and you want to waste it, go for every 1000-3000 miles. Personally I am going to do between 4000-5000. This also agrees with the manual and the experts on NPR's CarTalk.

One thing for sure, you can't hurt the car by changing too often but you can hurt the engine by NOT changing.

Kevin

 

Yep, meant to say maximum. I normally would just go by whats in the manual. But I just wanted to see what others have done, and why.

 

it all depends on how you drive your car and what conditions you drive it in. i get mine done every 3000 miles. i tend to drive it a little harder than normal.

 

oh, and the last two were mobil1

the 3000 mi one i had no choice (i took off the oil pan )

it might be a little extreme, but its my peice of mind....
have you ever look inside an oil filter of a new motors first oil change....ewwww
and the inital oil will have extra compounds in it (cam lube, bearing grease....)
i get that crap out fast...
drove it right home and changed the oil...

 

These cars are impervious. They never need an oil change.

 

There's oil in these things?!? :?


Seriously though.....the first change does remove alot of junk. I've always heard around 500 miles is good for the first one. Every 3000 after that. You can stretch it to 5000 if you want, but why chance it. If you run a synthetic like Mobil 1, you can go alot longer.

 

I think the whole "get your oil changed early- it will clean out all the junk"- is a bunch of B.S.!

HELLO, thats why we have oil filters!

But seriously, I changed mine at 2500 miles, and not only was the oil still honey colored, but thier were no metal shavings!!

Its a TOYOTA people, not a Ford or Chevy. Their is a such thing call REFINEMENT!! and thats what a toyota is- a refined car that doesnt need an oil chage a 1000k to clean out metal shavings!

This is the sevice im planning on doing....

2500 miles: changed oil

5000 miles: changed oil, rotated tires, ect...

10000 miles: change oil, rotated tires, ect...

 

Just curious…what’s your automotive background? The reason I ask is because most techs and mechanics would disagree with your statement.

 

I recall a high school principal of the early 50s who never changed oil in his car. Just had the service station attendants add oil as necessary. When the car engine failed he claimed he did not know that the oil should be changed. In those times oil was changed each 1000 miles in my area. When I purchased a new vehicle in 1961 the recommendation for that vehicle was 1800 miles. Later a new vehicle specified 3000 miles. Now my 2005 xA claims 5000 miles. I changed oil and filter in my xA at 500 miles and will again at 2000 miles. After that I think I will remain conservative and stay with the 3000 mile period using dino oil until after break in. Break in being 5000 to 8000 miles maybe depending upon when vehicle fuel mileage stabilizes. The fuel mileage average of my 1991 Geo Metro was still climbing slightly at 7000 miles. After break in I will use Mobile 1 with 5000 mile changes as I have with last two new vehicles.

 

I hit close to 7k miles before a full mobil 1 oil and toyota filter change. works for me

you can never be to early on an oil change either.

 

According to scion.com

"For normal driving conditions Scion recommends changing the engine oil and engine oil filter at a minimum of every 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. This engine oil change interval requires changing your engine oil a minimum of twice a year.
For special operating conditions Scion recommends changing the engine oil and engine oil filter at a minimum of every 5,000 miles or 4 months, whichever comes first. This engine oil change interval requires changing your engine oil a minimum of three times a year.
Special Operating Conditions include the following:
Driving on unpaved or dusty roads
Repeated short trips of less than five miles in temperatures below freezing
Driving on rough, muddy, or salt-covered roads
Extensive idling or low-speed driving for long distances as in heavy commercial use, such as delivery, taxi, or patrol car
For additional information, please review your scheduled maintenance guide located in your glove compartment."