Oil changes - every 10,000 miles? Even the first??
10-17-23, 08:40 AM
#121
Lexus Test Driver
Apples and oranges but I'm not a Dr nor an auto mechanic - what I do know - there's scientific proof smoking causes cancer so I'm certain none of us will debate that one. The truck mechanics I work with tell me to NEVER change trans fluid - I'll trust them and I rarely keep my cars beyond 100K miles anyway so it's a moot point for me.
10-17-23, 10:08 AM
#122
Apples and oranges but I'm not a Dr nor an auto mechanic - what I do know - there's scientific proof smoking causes cancer so I'm certain none of us will debate that one. The truck mechanics I work with tell me to NEVER change trans fluid - I'll trust them and I rarely keep my cars beyond 100K miles anyway so it's a moot point for me.
10-17-23, 10:18 AM
#123
Lexus Test Driver
The negative consequences for changing oil too often is I would have wasted money between oil changes. In my case, $40.
The negative consequences for not changing your oil enough would be you've caused additional wear and/or early failure to your engine.
I think I know which one is both safer and more satisfying, for which I do not need data.
Though aside from that, I'll probably not own another gas car for a good while.
The negative consequences for not changing your oil enough would be you've caused additional wear and/or early failure to your engine.
I think I know which one is both safer and more satisfying, for which I do not need data.
Though aside from that, I'll probably not own another gas car for a good while.
10-17-23, 10:44 AM
#124
https://news.aaa-calif.com/news/aaa-...torists-102702
Surprise, 62% fall under severe service category. I guess its some other people, not folks on this forum who have carefully evaluated their 10k OCI as suggested in the manual.
Surprise, 62% fall under severe service category. I guess its some other people, not folks on this forum who have carefully evaluated their 10k OCI as suggested in the manual.
Last edited by tolian21; 10-17-23 at 10:48 AM.
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scubapr (10-17-23)
10-17-23, 10:52 AM
#125
Lexus Test Driver
The negative consequences for changing oil too often is I would have wasted money between oil changes. In my case, $40.
The negative consequences for not changing your oil enough would be you've caused additional wear and/or early failure to your engine.
I think I know which one is both safer and more satisfying, for which I do not need data.
Though aside from that, I'll probably not own another gas car for a good while.
The negative consequences for not changing your oil enough would be you've caused additional wear and/or early failure to your engine.
I think I know which one is both safer and more satisfying, for which I do not need data.
Though aside from that, I'll probably not own another gas car for a good while.
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E46CT (10-17-23)
10-17-23, 11:19 AM
#127
Lexus Champion
Sarcasm.
The only driving style I know of that doesn't fit into the severe category is steady state highway driving. This is the perfect scenario for a gas engine it's run at the perfect temperature, moderate load all excess moisture burned off. Minimal stress on the oil very little bearing on/off load.
The only driving style I know of that doesn't fit into the severe category is steady state highway driving. This is the perfect scenario for a gas engine it's run at the perfect temperature, moderate load all excess moisture burned off. Minimal stress on the oil very little bearing on/off load.
10-19-23, 03:48 PM
#128
Lead Lap
Sheese, You'd think after 126 posts and 5 years this question would be put to rest. But like 'ol man river it just keeps rollin' along... 
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mikemu30 (10-19-23)
10-19-23, 04:12 PM
#129
Lexus Champion
There will never be agreement on this topic.
10-19-23, 10:39 PM
#130
Pit Crew
Did 10k oil changes on my 2017. At 225k miles, no problems. I used Pennzoil Platinum and OE Toyota filters. However, after that CarCareNut video about the Camry that had been taken to the dealer for an oil change every 10k and ended up burning oil due to obvious wear once the engine was torn apart, I'm now changing every 5k-7k. Small price to pay to avoid that, and I'm aiming for a minimum of 300k on my 2022.
Thing about piston rings and cylinder liners is that they may be wearing prematurely, but you may not have oil consumption until the oil control rings get worn enough to the point where they no longer provide the sufficient spring tension required to skim the oil off the liners of the cylinder. So for all I knew, my 2017 could start burning oil the day after I sold it. Or it could be fine. Who knows.
I dealt with a car that had internal wear to the point of oil consumption and it was a total pain in the side. I never want to deal with the BS of having to check oil every time I fill up with gas.
Thing about piston rings and cylinder liners is that they may be wearing prematurely, but you may not have oil consumption until the oil control rings get worn enough to the point where they no longer provide the sufficient spring tension required to skim the oil off the liners of the cylinder. So for all I knew, my 2017 could start burning oil the day after I sold it. Or it could be fine. Who knows.
I dealt with a car that had internal wear to the point of oil consumption and it was a total pain in the side. I never want to deal with the BS of having to check oil every time I fill up with gas.
Right now the Solara has 250,000 miles and my Camry has 204,000. The Solara had its oil changed every 5,000 miles (since it's not my car and I wasn't paying for the oil changes). The Camry had an oil change every 3 months regardless of mileage, I do tend towards over-maintenance.
As a result, I can see for myself the difference that oil change intervals made, and the difference is obvious. Despite having the same engine, the Solara has much less power than the Camry and is a lot less responsive than it was when we first got the car. If you stomp the gas pedal the Solara just sort of bogs down for several seconds, and you can feel and hear the engine struggle to accelerate. It also idles much less smooth than the Camry. If I stomp the Camry's gas to get on the freeway for example, it responds instantly exactly how it did when new (to me).
Also I used to work for a government fleet and I tore down and reassembled scores of engines. These engines were in general treated exactly how you'd expect a bunch of government workers to treat them, i.e. with either complete indifference or outright abuse. All the engines I worked on were all maintained "by the book" at the recommended intervals from the manufacturers. And as a rule they were all dirty, sludgy messes inside and had plenty of problems caused by lubrication, or lack of same. (My favorite was the 1990 Ford Escort that had a connecting rod that punched through the cast oil pan, because the operator decided to ignore the flashing oil light, and just kept right on driving until they couldn't).
10-20-23, 06:21 AM
#131
Transmission fluid is slighty different. Whilst most people probably never change it, and follow the liftetime recommendation, quite a few heve learned not to trust this, and so change at around 80-100k. Mostly though that's the kind of people who are interested enough in cars to be on a forum, which of course most drivers aren't.
As far as I recall that's always been the case in my 40+ years of driving.
I understand the concept of engine oil becoming acid if moisture builts up as a by-product of combustion but what about transmission fluid?
10-20-23, 10:15 AM
#132
The same story with ATF.
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scubapr (10-20-23)
10-20-23, 10:28 AM
#133
Lexus Test Driver
Let the debate begin
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scubapr (10-20-23)
10-20-23, 02:04 PM
#134
Can anybody give thoughts why there would be a recommended TIME interval to change transmission fluid? The car care nut says to change even "lifetime" fluid after 6 years regardless of miles.
I understand the concept of engine oil becoming acid if moisture builts up as a by-product of combustion but what about transmission fluid?
I understand the concept of engine oil becoming acid if moisture builts up as a by-product of combustion but what about transmission fluid?
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Marc780 (11-15-23)
10-20-23, 04:15 PM
#135
60,000 miles or 72 months (also 120,000 miles or 144 months)
...
Additional Maintenance Items for Special Operating Conditions³
...
Driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading:⁸
☐ Replace automatic transmission fluid
...
Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for a long distance such as police, taxi or door-to-door delivery use:
☐ Replace automatic transmission fluid
...
³ Perform these service items only if you drive primarily under the conditions indicated.
...
⁸ Not all vehicles are designed for towing. Refer to your Vehicle Owner’s Manual for details.
...
Additional Maintenance Items for Special Operating Conditions³
...
Driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading:⁸
☐ Replace automatic transmission fluid
...
Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for a long distance such as police, taxi or door-to-door delivery use:
☐ Replace automatic transmission fluid
...
³ Perform these service items only if you drive primarily under the conditions indicated.
...
⁸ Not all vehicles are designed for towing. Refer to your Vehicle Owner’s Manual for details.
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xmlstarks (01-06-24)