how often should i change oil in my 2000 avalon xls?

[jonathag2000]

Hello Everyone,

New here, nice forum!

I drive all highway miles in my 2000 avalon xls. I bought the car with 96k miles on it and I've put 40k on it, so it now has 136k miles on it.

I've changed the oil anywhere from 5k-7500 mile intervals. With all highway miles at consistent speeds mostly, is this ok, or should I switch to every 3k miles?

I've just been reading about engine sludge problems if you don't change the oil enough. My car doesn't burn any oil at all. When I do check the oil after 5k miles it is still pretty clean and the level is the same place as when I first changed it. Am I ok with my current interval? I use Castrol GTX 5w30 oil and fram filters.

[coal miner]

Toyota says every 5000 miles change the oil. More often if used under EXTREME conditions. Coal Miner in Florida. PS. Your suppose to use 5w-30 oil. Thats best for all around weather conditions, easier starting in colder weather & better gas mileage as per Toyota.

[kathyricks]

Your V6 is Toyota's most sludge prone motor. So 4000 miles is a safer bet.

[TedL]

Toyota says 5k for severe, 7500 for "normal". Your driving sounds "normal", per Toy's definitions. See schedule here:

Toyota Parts and Service

Having said that, I probably would go with 5 k intervals, and not worry if a busy schedule occasionally delayed it to7k.

[stevansky]

Due to the sludge issue if you are using conventional oil I would change it every 3000 miles. If you have no obvious oil leaks you could use a high quality synthetic such as Castrol, Mobil1, or Pennzoil and safely double that as it has a much higher flash point (withstands high temperatures more easily) and is much less likely to cause deposits/sludge than conventional oil.

[coal miner]

According to my owners manual Toyota engineers say it okay to use synthic oil but you still have to change it every 5000 miles. Less under extreme driving conditions. Coal Miner

[gabe74gt]

Last time I have changed at 3500 miles since I used it very roughly