killerbab

I tried searching in the manual, and the SEARCH function here, but am unsure what i want to do.

How often do you recommend getting oil changes? i have 2800 miles on my 2006 xb. In the manual and talking to scion's customer service they recommend 5000 miles. The toyota dealer is very adament about 3000 miles tho. I have conventionally gone 3000, but since i have never owned a toyota efficient engine, i am unsure what to do. The warranty only says you have to do it every 5000.

what do you guys/gals do?

ProshopXB

I changed mine at 5k.. Why not go with the avg. between the two and change it at 4k. Just rember to reset the maitnance required light.

killerbab

well i will be taking mine in because they are giving me a bunch of free ones. Do they reset that light?

do you continually change your at 5? or just the first one

ProshopXB

The will reset the light for you, unless they are boneheads (you never know)..

Yes I will continue to change mine at 5k intervals, plus I am running full synthetic oil which will help if I go over by abit..

MrRadi8

Light scared the hell out of the wife on her drive a couple hours from home. Her bug has the ABS light on and then it popped on while she was driving my xB.

Light reset is in the manual; have odometer on mileage, not trip. Turn on key but don't start car. Push and hold trip reset until it clicks down. Done.

killerbab

i am unsure if they pu synthetic in mine from the factory. does anyone know? how can i tell

dgHotLava

convetional oil from factory.

you can't tell.

killerbab

do i tell the dealer that i want synthetic from here on out, or would it be a waste of money.

SquallLHeart

i don't think your free ones they would do it...

but in the future.. it will cost you more money... yes.

i find that synthetic helps out better... i think it's worthwhile to switch over

vintage42

This is a matter of personal preference. It depends on how much trouble, time and expense you want to devote to the longevity of your engine. Ultimately, the question is how long you plan to keep the car.

Scion recommends 5000-mile intervals, and your Scheduled Maintenance Guide shows that extending for 120,000 miles.

If you plan to keep the car for much longer than that, say for 200,000 miles, the engine might show less wear if you had always changed the oil at 3000-mile intervals.

On the other hand, if you change the oil at 3000-mile intervals and don't keep it for 120,000 miles, you are only benefitting the next owner(s).

There are three reasons for changing the oil at 3000-mile intervals:
1. You will keep the car for over 120,000 miles.
2. You won't keep the car that long, but want to save the engine for the next owners.
3. You just like doing the best you can for an engine regardless of any other factors.

I am 1 + 3. I changed at 2500-mile intervals on my present Mazda truck, have kept it for 150,000 miles, and just like doing the best I can for any engine.

BLAKOUT

The 3000 mile rule is something the oil companies came up with years ago. It really doesn't apply to most cars and average driving anymore but most places still tell you 3k because they want your money. When I managed an Advance Auto Parts store I got in trouble for telling my customers they did not need to change at 3k. Advance wanted the cash.

If you are hard on your car, it certainly never hurts to change at 3k. I have a lead foot and I do mostly city driving so I will change at 4k. I use Mobil 1 syntetic oil.

bB2NER

1st oil change should be at 1K. After that every 5K if you use Mobil 1 with a Toyota filter. This is what I do and I plan on getting 300K plus out of this motor. My last vehicle (a 95 Ford Van) went 500K and still going strong with this routine. The choice is yours tho. Good luck with your choice.

PBflorida

maybe a good idea if you change your own oil, but suspect if you let a shop do it. the techs do so many oil changes they probably do most of it with their brains on auto-pilot. You may get synthetic oil, or they might not pay attention and put dino oil in your car and then the shop charges you for synthetic.

I change my oil every 4000 miles. 3000 mile interval may be slighly better but I doubt it's worth the extra expense and hassle.

bB2NER

Do it yourself with Mobil 1 5W30 and the money you save will pay for the added cost of the Mobil 1 over conv. oil. Synthetic oil is NEVER a waste of money.