I hate to get into faith discussions, but very misleading title.
Bad title: Break-in oil change is totally unnecessary, or how I tried to spark debate but just sounded like a dick
- Thread starter M3Cavalry
- Start date
I haven't heard much of a debate for the side representing not doing the break in oil change.
What could those points possibly be?
1. You are wasting $50-$100 on a $70K vehicle
2. You are needlessly padding the service dealers pockets
3. You are squandering the lives of micro-organisms that lived millions of years ago
This one seems too lopsided to me. If we want a good fight, let's pick something more controversial.
What could those points possibly be?
1. You are wasting $50-$100 on a $70K vehicle
2. You are needlessly padding the service dealers pockets
3. You are squandering the lives of micro-organisms that lived millions of years ago
This one seems too lopsided to me. If we want a good fight, let's pick something more controversial.
You could add that engines are broken in at the factory so that it's not necessary any more like it use to be.
If you look back at manuals of old you had directions on how to adjust the valve clearances… but now you have warnings to not drink the fluid from the battery…
If you look back at manuals of old you had directions on how to adjust the valve clearances… but now you have warnings to not drink the fluid from the battery…
4. You want a free engine from Toyota when it grenades under warranty by following their maintenance schedule.
Most engines aren't broken in at the factory. They build the vehicles and send them out, that's it. Performance cars may be broken in, we are talking the high dollar stuff.
My 2011 M3 required a break in period, there was even a sticker on the windshield. The redline even reflected it and was changed after the break in service was performed. If you didn't adhere to the break in rules, your warranty could/would be voided. The amount of stuff the replaced/changed after the break in period was impressive. I don't recall the milage, I think it was 1500mi. You had to keep it under 4k rpm for 1500mi, which was a nightmare, because the V8 M3 was a high revving V8, it was unhappy under 3k, the redline was around 9k iirc. The yellow/redline would actually change as the engine came up to temp. It was a fun car. Anyway, longwinded point is, the is zero break in period at the factory for most vehicles or engines.
The point of the 500mi break in oil change is to get the leftovers from assembly out of the engine. The break in period (which is mentioned in your manual) is for a different reason.
Am utilizing my “free” 10k service today at 757 miles. The service advisor was like “Oh you’re going to void your 5,000 mile service” and I said “You mean the one where they rotate the tires and look at the car and say good to go? I won’t miss it.”
I aspire for a life where I can enjoy a brewery in the afternoon on a weekday.
No way the advisor said that, seriously? These guys continually impress me
Probably meant the 5k service won't be free.
I didn't even know there was a free 5k service until I got an email. I know the 10k oil change is free. Some have had luck getting the dealer to do the 500mi or 5k oil change for free, most haven't, and the dealer would count it toward your 3 free oil changes. I don't want them messing with my tires, I have a tire shop for that, one that has a TQ wrench and uses it, but I don't mind sitting thee for an hour if they want to check the fluids and make sure nothing is falling off the thing, think of it like your annual check up. Though my Toyota dealership is cheap, no free snacks, no free drinks, the waiting area is in the middle of the sales floor, I'm not sure they even have a TV, losers
.Worst one at that dealer was a kid who called my wife a scammer in front of all the other customers because he was new and she was using a corporate coupon he’d never seen before. We’re longtime customers and have never had an issue with those coupons before. (We made a stink and got a free brake/rotor job out of the deal.)
We’ve had other problems, but that one takes the cake.
This is a topic that (I think) people overthink on modern cars/trucks. Generally, there’s neglect and there’s regular maintenance…without defining these items by specific parameters, we all know that neglect is bad, so we shouldn’t neglect our vehicles.
One thing I used to do is change my oil anytime before a long road trip…I learned to NOT do that when stranded once because the tech didn’t put the oil plug on right (imagine being so dumb you can’t screw in an oil plug properly). Anyway, now I want some miles after service.
Another similar (and equally futile) debate is how often to change oil on an ultra-low mileage car…esp. when it has an oil life monitor…which leads into arguments of whether synthetic oil degrades with time or only use/conditions. Lots of opinions…but again, I think it’s hard to fall into the “neglect” group unless you simply don’t care about your car/truck.
Last edited:
Just completed 1st oil & filter change at home on my 2025 LC 1958.
Picked up an OEM oil filter from the Toyota dealer.
Once the skid plates were removed, it was easy access to the filter & drain plug.
Picked up an OEM oil filter from the Toyota dealer.
Once the skid plates were removed, it was easy access to the filter & drain plug.
The Motor Oil Geek addresses many issues on his YouTube channel.
I did a break-in oil change at 500 miles, and another at 2500 miles with the addition of a magnetic oil drain plug. At the most recent oil change 5k (and every 5k from here on out) there was noticeable debris on the magnetic drain plug.
Everyone will have opinions about everything. Either you want to do everything possible to prolong the longevity of your motor, or you stick with oem maintenance schedule and see where it brings you.
I also cut open the first oil filter to check it out here at 13:30
Everyone will have opinions about everything. Either you want to do everything possible to prolong the longevity of your motor, or you stick with oem maintenance schedule and see where it brings you.
I also cut open the first oil filter to check it out here at 13:30
If you’re of a certain age, oil changes at 3,000 miles are your default. That’s me anyway. Given the turbo and small displacement/tolerances, I have been on a 5,000 mile interval schedule (other than doing a break-in change at 1500, which was just for my own peace of mind). From here (15,000 miles in) I plan on changing oil and filter every 5,000 miles. I bet things would be fine with the stated intervals, but I live in Texas and it’s really hot and I am rotating tires anyway, so 5,000 it is.
I am not interested in changing anyone's mind, one way or another, do as you wish, don't worry, be happy.
Those of us that have greater knowledge and experience know what to do, know what matters,,
Carry on,,,,,
Those of us that have greater knowledge and experience know what to do, know what matters,,
Carry on,,,,,
Oil change at 5k - car was in the dealer for wiring damage [F….foxs’] so why wouldn’t you. 
