05 Tacoma owners that change your own oil

[markmicallef]

Originally Posted by TacomaOffRoadGrl

I've changed my own oil on my last 3 trucks with no problems however I alway use OEM filters.

To answer your question, I use Mobile 1 full synthetic as well- - 5W30 with no problems. I just make sure I annotate my maintenance log and keep my receipts. There is little more to changing oil than removing a drain plug and replacing a filter. Toyota would have to do some serious BS-ing to prove you doing it yourself caused a problem IMO especially if you use factory filters.

An oil change here runs about $25 but that is for regular oil not synthetic. Plus I enjoy the satisfaction of doing it myelf (not to mention it only takes 10 min tops including clean up as opposed to 30min to and hour at BEST elsewhere).

I fully agree with you TacomaOffRoadGrl

[JaredPointer]

Originally Posted by markmicallef

I used to work for the Penske auto Group and went through some extensive training on the Mobil 1 Oil concept, That's what got me hooked on the stuff.

One of the test they (Mobil1 peopl)did was take two Identical BMW's ran run with conventional motor oil and the other with Mobil1, they ran over 200,000 miles on both, with normal oil changes in between. They then dis-assembled the engines and measered all the ware points with a micrometer. I don't rememer the numbers as it was about ten years ago, but there was virtually no ware on tee engine running Moble1.

Here's some more info
http://www.exxonmobil.com/corporate/...fact_sheet.pdf

That's nice and everything, but both engines ran for 200,000 miles with no problems. And one other thing...the test was performed by Mobil1. Of course their stuff is gonna coe out on top. I am not saying synthetic is bad or not as good as it's made out to be, but for the premium in price, I don't see where it really tops conventional oil. Just a personal opinion. If using synthetic will help you sleep better at night, by all means use it. I'm just saying that conventional is okay to use too. On a side note...just how many people are going to keep their truck or car long enough to rack up 200,000? I would say those people are in the minority. Very good post though, and don't take this one as me taking a stab at you.

[sl3000gt94]

I just got my Xrunner last Wed. I am going to be switching my rear end and tranny over to redline at around 1000miles. I looked in the book and it says for the rear 3.3qt and the tranny says 1.8qt. That doesnt sound like enough to me for the tranny is this correct or am i seeing something wrong

[goldmember]

My problem with Mobil 1 syn besides that it cost more, is that I never own a vehicle more than 5 years 120k miles. I don't believe I'll see the benefits of Mobil 1. Secondly, I'm more than able to do my own oil changes I choose not too for the simple reason it can be messy no matter how careful you are and I still have to properly dispose of the oil after. So all this extra time it takes me is not worth it. I'd rather pay someone $25 and be on my way. But thats just my opinion and I'm not knocking those who do do their own oil changes. Just playing a little devils advocate.


Koko

[spjonm3]

Originally Posted by markmicallef

I used to work for the Penske auto Group and went through some extensive training on the Mobil 1 Oil concept, That's what got me hooked on the stuff.

One of the test they (Mobil1 peopl)did was take two Identical BMW's ran run with conventional motor oil and the other with Mobil1, they ran over 200,000 miles on both, with normal oil changes in between. They then dis-assembled the engines and measered all the ware points with a micrometer. I don't rememer the numbers as it was about ten years ago, but there was virtually no ware on tee engine running Moble1.

Here's some more info
http://www.exxonmobil.com/corporate/...fact_sheet.pdf

I can in a way attest to the Mobil 1 statement.

I took my '89 BMW M3 in for a valve adjustment. My M3 at the time had 220,000 miles on it. The mechanics (who only work on BMWs and alot of them the old E30 M3's, there were 4 there when my car was in) asked me when the motor was rebuilt. They said that normally the cams become pitted and they show a significant wear after that amount of mileage. I have never had that engine rebuilt and all I run in it is Mobil 1. They were amazed at how good the condition of the internals of the motor was after that amount of mileage.

Ever since that I've become even more of a believer in Mobil 1.

[TacomaOffRoadGrl]

I don't think conventional oil is bad, I just believe synthetic is better. No matter what you choose though as long as your oil is changed on a regular basis that is the important thing. If you don't plan to keep your truck until the wheels fall off, by all means go the cheaper route with conventional.

I don't drink cheap beer and I don't want my baby drinking cheap either Just kidding.

Anyway, conventional is fine, but if I were using conventional I would probably change the oil every 3000 or so instead of 5000 that's just MPO though.

[jayotto4]

Originally Posted by yfzjen

I kinda wondered about that myself. But wasnt sure. This is the first vehicle i've had that actually had a warranty on it! Thanks for the heads up, maybe the service mamanger will work with me on doing the oil changes. They work M-F 8-5. Same hours I work so its hard to get in there to get it done by the shop.

My dealer will come and pick up my truck and leave me a loaner for the day and return it when it is done. I don't have to do anything but pay for the service(not the pick up and loaner car)

[impulsives]

Originally Posted by yfzjen

I kinda wondered about that myself. But wasnt sure. This is the first vehicle i've had that actually had a warranty on it! Thanks for the heads up, maybe the service mamanger will work with me on doing the oil changes. They work M-F 8-5. Same hours I work so its hard to get in there to get it done by the shop.

If you use Mobile 1 Synthetic, besides possibly getting better mileage, you can go 10,000 between changes. My Porsche Boxster also uses Mobile 1 syn from the factory with services every 12,000 miles. I darn well know my Porsche engine works harder than my Tacoma. If you are going to change oil every 3000 miles stick with conventional oil or you will be throwing your money away. As for Toyota's infamous oil sludge problems, sounds like poorly designed engine to me. Even in a Consumer Reports study with different oils in New York City cabs, in the hardest driving conditions(idling,stop-start, etc) they saw no real differenct in oils up to 7000 miles.

[impulsives]

Originally Posted by NicksToy

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/autom...ta_engine.html

Here's a link to some of the stories of Toyota denying warranty service. It seems like a pattern. If you decide to do your own maintenance, you should maybe try to get something in writing from the dealer stating that it won't void your warranty.

This is poor engine design plain and simple. How everyone can still talk about Toyota quality after reading this is beyond me. Any certified oil(which is most) should go for 7000 miles with no problems with synthetic 12,000. On the other hand a bet if these people would visit another Toyota service department they would get their cars fixed. Different dealers deal in different ways. These are freakin mini vans, not race cars.

[impulsives]

Originally Posted by JaredPointer

That's nice and everything, but both engines ran for 200,000 miles with no problems. And one other thing...the test was performed by Mobil1. Of course their stuff is gonna coe out on top. I am not saying synthetic is bad or not as good as it's made out to be, but for the premium in price, I don't see where it really tops conventional oil. Just a personal opinion. If using synthetic will help you sleep better at night, by all means use it. I'm just saying that conventional is okay to use too. On a side note...just how many people are going to keep their truck or car long enough to rack up 200,000? I would say those people are in the minority. Very good post though, and don't take this one as me taking a stab at you.

Every engine is different on the inside because the parts are cast. You may not be so lucky on the next one. Besides, 1 synthetic change every 10,000 miles or 3 regular oil changes every 10,000. It doesn't cost any more money.

[JaredPointer]

Originally Posted by impulsives

Every engine is different on the inside because the parts are cast. You may not be so lucky on the next one. Besides, 1 synthetic change every 10,000 miles or 3 regular oil changes every 10,000. It doesn't cost any more money.

I come out cheaper if I go by what the manual says; change the oil every 5,000 miles. I would NEVER go 10,000 miles without an oil change, synthetic or conventional, but that's just me. And I don't think luck has much to do with it. Regular maintenance has more to do with it than luck, be it good or bad. And the fact that I don't really put a heavy foot and "racetrack" driving into my vehicles.

[PeaveyFender]

When my new Taco is due for an oil change I will be using Mobil1 5w30 and NAPA Gold (WIX) filters.

[Radiant]

Although almost ten years old, I don't think oil technology has changed enough to invalidate the following Consumer Report article: http://www.xs11.com/stories/croil96.htm

The article concludes:
"None of the tested oils proved better than the others in our tests. There may be small differences that our tests didn't reveal, but unless you typically drive under more severe conditions than a New York cab does, you won't go wrong if you shop strictly by price or availability. Buy the viscosity grade recommended in your owner's manual, and look for the starburst emblem. Even the expensive synthetics (typically, $3 or $4 a quart) worked no better than conventional motor oils in our taxi tests, but they're worth considering for extreme driving conditions high ambient temperatures and high engine load or very cold temperatures..."

[OC768]

Originally Posted by PeaveyFender

When my new Taco is due for an oil change I will be using Mobil1 5w30 and NAPA Gold (WIX) filters.

Just be sure you get a few K on it first...Changing too early can actually cause some weird break-in problems.

Then again Oil is a religion, so this is all IMHO
(Amsoil and M1 filters for me though, fyi)

[gixxermikey]

I have always done my oil changes myself too, But when i bought my new taco the dealer told me i get free oil changes for life so i guess i dont have to worry about it. Any body else get the same free deal as i did from their dealer?