Break-in oil change is totally unnecessary

[M3Cavalry]

The break-in oil change is totally unnecessary: change my mind!

More seriously—if the manual doesn’t mention it, the warranty doesn’t rely on it—is it really needed? Don’t get me wrong, I understand the value of oil changes and plan to do them every 5k. Go!

 

[TakaraLC]

Probably, but an oil changes are so cheap that it feels like cheap insurance. Even if it doesn’t help with anything, it makes me feel better.

 

[ultane]

I think most of us did it due to problems with another Toyota engine/truck. Do what ever you want.

 

[ryanjl]

The science doesn't lie:



The bottom line is that the factory suggested oil change intervals are meant to sell cars, and do not factor in what the owner 10 years down the line at 120,000 miles would want. Part of selling cars is price of ownership, and a great way to decrease the price of ownership is to extend the oil change intervals as long as possible, and to not "require" a break-in oil change.

 

[Matsayz]

My local Toyota dealer does happy-hour oil changes for $50 Tues-Thurs 12-4pm… there’s a brewery across the street, I get my oil changed frequently.

Seriously though, $50 oil change on a $70K vehicle, too easy

 

[JustinHEMI]

Do what you want. It's your car.

For me, I flew to Philly and immediately drove it back to middle TN, about 900 miles. I felt it deserved a change after a long road trip out of the gate. Probably unnecessary, but it took me 30 minutes and certainly didn't hurt to do it.

YMMV.

 

[EOD Guy]

Many have mentioned the strong smell of fuel in the oil at their 1st oil change, me included ..................Your vehicle, your money....... do as you wish.

 

[RideWithYanu]

I have no interest in changing your mind - if a few bucks and 20 minutes to change your oil isn’t worth potentially extending the life of your engine to you, then don’t do it. Hard to imagine why I’d be fussed with how you want to treat your vehicle.

 

[M3Cavalry]

Title was intentionally provocative to get a response; I’m honestly torn between an instinct to over-maintain the vehicle and the reality that it probably won’t matter for my ownership timeline. I appreciate all the input.

 

[RideWithYanu]

I’ll admit that your post rubbed me the wrong way, and I’ll be intellectually honest enough to admit that I know you didn’t mean it the way it came across. Just drives me nuts when people’s language is demanding to be convinced of something (“change my mind,” “go!”)

Anyways - happy ownership to you, and welcome to the forum!

 

[M3Cavalry]

I’ll admit that your post rubbed me the wrong way, and I’ll be intellectually honest enough to admit that I know you didn’t mean it the way it came across. Just drives me nuts when people’s language is demanding to be convinced of something (“change my mind,” “go!”)

Anyways - happy ownership to you, and welcome to the forum!

Yeah, just an expression. Definitely not my intent.

 

[DoMoCruiser24]

It’s not necessary.

It is 15 minutes of my time and $40 for 10qt of Costco 0W20. While you’re down there, you can inspect the vehicle for potential issues i.e. loose fuel lines etc.

As stated above, it is cheap insurance and you get to learn more about your vehicle if you do it yourself.

 

[robsurfskate]

i changed my oil at 2,000 miles and 5,000 miles. I'll follow the manual moving forward. I believe the next oil change is at 10,000 miles.

 

[AlexGates]

His other video has been posted. Yes, it does make a difference to change at 500mi. Even Achmed the Toyota guy recommends it, but he also adds that you should do it if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time, otherwise it isn't a priority.

OP says a break in oil change is unnecessary because the manual doesn't mention it. Yet, plans on changing their oil every 5K, when the manual says 10k.

 

[robsurfskate]

His other video has been posted. Yes, it does make a difference to change at 500mi. Even Achmed the Toyota guy recommends it, but he also adds that you should do it if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time, otherwise it isn't a priority.

OP says a break in oil change is unnecessary because the manual doesn't mention it. Yet, plans on changing their oil every 5K, when the manual says 10k.

I'm glad I have changed my oil twice already at 5,000 miles.

 

[Area 51]

Simply not true statement.
In your tiny luber free mind it may not have value ask and engine builder thats good, well like me, duh.
Or maybe this is another trolling set up for marketing information. Testing the demographic yet to be defined.

 

[mrCharlie]

Probably the biggest risk of changing it early, other than maybe wasting a few $$ and a little time, is if the dealer forgets to put enough oil back in afterwards. Like they did with my 1958.

Many have mentioned the strong smell of fuel in the oil at their 1st oil change, me included

This right here is why I "risked it" and had a change done on the new truck at the same ~1200 miles. Same dealer, though this time they had a senior tech do the work. I figured they probably had some procedure/personnel changes since my last visit and were unlikely to make the same mistake again.

Really though, the strong fuel smell and how high on the dipstick the oil was overcame any hesitancy I might have had. My understanding is some fuel in the oil is pretty normal for a new engine until the rings are fully seated, and who knows how long these might have bee needling at the port. In my case, I really don't want thinned oil going into the summer. I'll probably do the next change at 5k, and follow 5k intervals after than.

 

[AlexGates]

I'm glad I have changed my oil twice already at 5,000 miles.

I actually thought about doing another change at 1500 or 2000, but now I'm at 3k, so I'm just going to wait until 5k. Easier to remember to change to oil by 5k's increments.