It still needs to be broken-in/seated in so treat it like any other new clutch just to get max life from it.

 

Toyota says 5000 miles, but most people recommend it at 3,000 miles (even the dealership here). So I just go ahead and change it at 2500 miles. Can’t hurt to change it well before it is due?

I’m only just above 10,000 miles and I have only personally changed my oil once (first 3 times I used the freebies). When I drained the oil it looked like new, and felt just the same. Maybe I’m wasting a few hundred bucks in the lifetime of my vehicle. But I don’t really give a crap since I know that the oil in my engine at any given time is as good as new.

On the subject of oil, anyone recommend a particular synthetic? (trying to cut back on foreign oil dependency… haha…)

 

Can't go wrong with the regular Mobil 1.

 

lol ok.. so im going to assume that the it's ok for the first oil change to be done at 5k miles. On top of that, after I got my car and went over 1,000 miles, i sorta ran it hard right after and still run it hard often at times. My RPM went up to like 6 without changing my oil. Is this ok?

 

You know what they say about assuming stuff. Read my posts from page 1 and if you honestly think it's still "safe" go for it! It's not my car! LOL
Fram filters may suck but their old saying is so true. "You can pay me now or you can pay me later". I'll pay for mine (new engine) way later.

 

? It's under the donut in the hatch...

Also, would you really get under your car with just the emergency jack supporting it?

 

The toyota dealership I bought my TC at gives me free oil changes for life....I get it done every 3500 miles.....My friend has a 91 toyota truck.....he gets the oil change done every 3500 miles.....the truck now has 280,000 miles on it and still runs like it's brand new.

 

Change your own oil. Just remember that the first oil filter (the one that came with the tC) is factory sealed and needs a special tool to take it off.

Tried to take off a friend's '07 oil filter today but we had much trouble. Found out later at Jiffy Lube about the factory sealed oil filter. After that you can do your own with ease.

 

how is there a factory seal...wtf

 

^^I have no clue dude. We both had so much trouble trying to get it off and it wouldn't even bulge!!

The technician at Jiffy Lube said there would have been no way to take it off without the equipment.

 

hey, i have 1 question is it a must to do the first 3 oil changes at the dealer? i dont really trust them since you dont know what kind of oil they use.

 

Like I said earlier, I still haven't used those 3 freebies in 2 years and never will.

 

No you do not. I went once, still have two free. I've been using Mobil 1 Synthetic since. Seen improvements in highway mpg (+3 mpg).

 

i had my car since january and only have 3200 on it, yes i know i dont drive much, but i didnt have oil change yet. i guess i will wait till it hits 5k and then i will change it.

 

I would recommend changing it soon. My friend has about 2300 miles on his '07 and he changed it today. The oil was VERY dirty.

 

It's kinda funny seeing people being cheap when it comes to maintaining one of the most expensive things they have.

 

I went to the dealer to change my oil once it hit 1,100 miles. Its already on 4.5k and i'm kind of worried about driving around until I get another oil change. and I check this thread, and some of you guys change your oil at 5k? Maybe I just worry to much. My dad always changed his oil on his old celica every 3k miles and it lasted a little under half a million miles. but yeah, it is your car, so power to you guys.

 

I change it almost every 5,000 but I use Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic. I would change it every 3,000 if you're using regular oil.

 

It's just different opinions on things. Research for yourself and make an informed decision, then realize some of it is ALWAYS going to simply be personal preference.

I have friends who still run older versions of software because "it's more stable and less likely to crash", which is true to a degree, however it's also not nearly as fast or efficient as the newer versions. *shrugs* Neither of us is right or wrong per se, it's what works for you.

Again though, I'm not saying to be lazy, or to guess, I'm saying do your research and make an informed decision that works for you. I for one remember what it was like not having the resources I do now and yes, even something as little as an oil change more often than I absolutely had to was a detriment in /my/ situation.

 

Really the 3k is just one of those leftover from the old days kinda things. New oil (any kind) is much better than the stuff they used years ago. It wont break down as fast and your engine is built to much higher tolerances. All this means is that your oil will last longer and will have less metal and stuff floating around in there. If you are that worried go outside and take a look at it. If its free of stuff floating aeound and still looks clean you should be good. If you drive a lot of dirt roads or short drives without the car fulling warming up then change it more often as thats harder on the car and oil.