^^ this approach makes total sense ...

 

I have the Bud Built skid plates on my GX so I take the drain plug and filter plates off before I leave it at the Lexus dealership just because I want to make it easy for them to change the filter. That's actually the main reason I bought the Bud Built Skid plates.

 

To me an oil change of synthetic at 5k seems, I don't know - extravagant? An overabundance of caution? Financially infeasible? I get it if you're using conventional, though, or operating in a "heavy-duty" condition like towing or lots of offroad use.

 

In addition to towing and off road use (no mention of lots) there is dirt roads, repeated short trips under 32° and extensive idling. I tick all 5 boxes in any 6 month period of a year.



If you're overseas and driving on dirt or dusty roads then it is only 3,000 miles between filter and oil change. 6,000 miles for normal use between oil and filter changes.



Containments are still bottom sediment and water and don't do your oil and engine any favors no matter the flavor you're running.

 

The way I see it is it's cheap insurance. Plus it gets me under the truck at least twice a year to catch potential issues before they get worse. For example, I found my leaky waterpump during an oil change.

 

I go 5,000 miles on my Toyota V6 vehicles ... and 6,000 miles on the GX V8 ... to each their own ... can purchase 5-Quarts of Mobil-1 Full Synthetic / Extended Performance for $25-odd at Walmart ... so for me, $35-odd for an oil change is not "extravagant" ... it's cheap insurance for those that value engine longevity ... with the used oil recycled anyway ...

 

Costco periodically has Kirkland 0w20 on sale, $64 for 20 quarts.