Changing oil every 2,000 miles

How many miles do you drive per year, though?

If someone doesn't put on a lot of miles, or does a lot of city driving, a shorter interval might make sense. I'd want to do it at least twice a year, regardless of mileage.

One thing to consider is that modern synthetic oil probably maintains its protection a lot longer than old dyno oil. I have done 3K, 5K, and 10K intervals on different vehicles, based on the manual, and have had (2) 4Runners with over 200K miles without any mechanical issues.

There's nothing wrong with overkill, though, aside from wasting time and money.

I already change mine 4-5X per year, so there's no way I'm going less than 5K.

 

The most amazing thing is that there's 3 pages on the subject of changing oil. Lol.
And it's not even the argument of viscosity or brand. Lol.

 

Must have nothing better to do if you’re changing it that often. Seems quite excessive and wasteful, but whatever works for you.

 

The Mobil1 filters are not as strong as the OEM filters and being made of treated paper will collapse. The OEM filters are made of a tougher material.
I can buy the OEM at the Toyota dealer for less than $4.00, really a no brainer.

 

OEM 4runner oil filter #

$28 04152YZZA5 Genuine Toyota - 4Runner Oil Filter 1/2 Case (QTY 5) - 04152-YZZA5

04152YZZA5 appears to be a single layer paper filter. TRD 4runner oil filter #PTR4300079 appears to be multi-layer fiberglass/synthetic material which on testing filters oil better than paper. Write up on the TRD is '100% synthetic-fiber filtration medium designed to provide the highest possible dirt removal efficiency with lowest possible flow restriction'. For the extra price of a cup of coffee couple times a year I'm using TRD filters.

 

The oils thread is always fun to read.

 

What could that possibly mean?
There's a reason the micron ratings aren't widely published

 

I'm with you on the minimal difference in modern oils. However, I've changed oil at 10K intervals and have over 300K miles on the 4Runner with no issues.

 

Yeah, I admit I’m old school…..maybe because I’m old. Years ago I use to do every 3K, but I have retreated to 5K with filters ever other change. My diesel and 2ndGen get so little miles on them since I’ve retired(7yrs) I rarely even get to 2K/yr now. The diesel is pretty much used only for towing our travel trailer(covid put a damper on our travel vacations) and heavy Home Depot runs and Goldie is my wheeler(BLM in my backyard) and around town light duty runs/dog transport so I do them a maximum of every ~year. I actually have to make an effort to run them every two weeks. I just used Goldie this last week to pull my high-centered ATV/plow off a snow bank I was pushing back.
Off subject: The wife doesn’t like to drive or ride in either, truck rides too rough without a load and Goldie is too old with almost zero modern creature comforts, no PW, locks, CC, power mirrors, seats….etc….AC and the heater, that’s about it. The new 4R is the only thing she will ride in except when wheeling with Goldie and trailering with the diesel. Another reason for so few miles.
Really Off subject: a very well seasoned(old like me) transmission expert said if your automatic transmission vehicle has sat for a long time is to put it in neutral right after start-up and let it idle for a minute. He said in neutral the trans pumps fluid through the converter where as park does not.

 

I have a 1999 K2500 Suburban w/ 6.5 diesel. It’s indirect injection and dirty, so that I change the oil every 5K miles.

 

My diesel oil turns black in 15 minutes despite the engine having almost zero blow-by. That is just soot that has very little if any effect on lubrication.

 

Wow. Just joined this forum and now I am not sure why I did. 1000 & 2000mi oil changes?

I'm all for frequent changes over the super high 10,000mi changes, even 5k. But 1k just scream's insanity. Its like burning money that you feel is a little dirty.

Might as well buy a 50gal drum of oil and main line it to the 4R. Otherwise you might be changing oil 10+ times a year.

 

Same with mine. Son has a ‘94 K2500 diesel that does have blowby and consumes oil, but it is running strong as it approaches 300K miles. I am rebuilding a spare NP 241-C transfer case for it as the existing has a leak on the seal between the transmission. Will get that done Feb/March.

 

I remember changing oil on my VW Bugs every 2,000 miles. They had an oil screen as opposed to a replaceable filter and there was no synthetic oil back then. Plus they took like 2.5 qts.

 

Welcome to the forum!

I think some of those posts are just people being silly. I think following the manual is fine (10K/5K). But, if someone only drives a few thousand miles per year, a shorter interval might make sense.

 

Yeah my (retired) wife has been averaging 40K miles per year, so it’s seen 4 oil changes per year…..thanks to me.

 

any idea what the micron ratings are for the trd vs the oem filters? Ive been using trd since new

 

That's a lot of driving!

I'd be on the 10K plan if I wasn't so hard on this 4Runner. I'm at 90K miles in 4 years, but I have a work vehicle also.

 

with every modded (mudded) runner, every mess up engine and transmission, every neglected rusted frame, I happily see how value of my runner going up year after year

 

Just follow the instructions in the owners manual for your vehicle. Changing it every 2000 miles for me would equate to the price of a new transmission after 10 years which it might need at that point regardless.

 

It's a troll thread

 

Yes, these oil threads tend to be. I’m on Tacoma World as well and same story.

 

Some more obvious than others, like this one.

 

The MG did his Master Thesis on oil and how it is positively and negatively charged and gets better after sitting for one year? I’m going to read it.

 

I just read this entire thread start to finish. I was laughing myself silly at some posts. The one that really got me was the 55 gallon drum with the oil drain plug removed, leaking oil directly on to the street!

 

I have an old Trailblazer that does it's own oil change. looses so much, I just add a quart every two weeks and change the filter twice a year

 

My old Rodeo was like that; I called it self-changing oil (burned about a quart every 500-1000 miles, depending on throttle).

But an oil change in a 4Runner? I thought these were supposed to be low maintenance; am I missing something?

 

It’s apparent everyone has their own method of caring for their 4 R. I have had several Tacomas (4 R is replacement) and drive max 10,000 miles per year. My method is to make sure all critical fluids are properly filled from factory within a few weeks getting vehicle new. I check oil, trans (PITA), rear diff, front diff, transfer case. I first change the engine oil and filter before 2000 miles. Then change oil at 5000 mile intervals. I change the rear diff at 3rd oil change (12,000 miles). I drain and refill trans at 30,000 mile intervals replacing what I drain out, after confirming it was properly filled when new. I also drain and refill front diff , rear diff and transfer case at 30,000 mile intervals. My first 1999 Tacoma went 20 years and 200,000 miles and was still going when sold doing this pattern. I also grease the driveline zerks at 15,000 mile intervals. I use my off-road vehicles for hunting and in the Fall are in and out of 4WD several times per week. An occasional road trip. No stop and go driving in City. I use Toyota oil filters. For the lubricants I use Toyota specified weights and specs in either Toyota or Mobil 1 labeled products. I like hearing people say they don’t have issues running 10,000 miles on oil changes. But I just can’t bring myself to go that long. My Toyotas have never used any oil as I capture and measure it. My Honda cars burn about 1 quart every 2500 miles. I don’t think Honda has figure out how to use VVTI without consuming oil? My Tacoma (and hopefully this 4 Runner) were very tight.

 

Certainly low maintenance to me, as a former Chevy owner. but oil changes are critical for any vehicle. Fairly easy on the 4R..I do mine every 10k.

 

I have found this thread inspirational. I think I will change my oil everyday. Better safe than sorry.