I have 4,120 miles on my car, that I purchased on 2/7/12. I still haven't taken it in for it's 5,000 mile checkup. Seeing as they don't change the oil until 10,000 miles, and based on my driving (or lack thereof), should I have them change the oil at the 5,000 mile service?

 

I'd change at 5K it.It's almost or will be a year.
I believe it's 10K miles or a year intervals.
My ES was 5K or 6 months..

 

i did my 5K service, but didn't have them change the oil. i was going to but changed my mind. was told by the SR that i'd be just fine until 10K miles. it's strange to me because i always changed the oil at 3K on every car i've owned.

 

Same for me. The service advisor told me that because they use synthetic oil it doesn't need to be changed until 10k miles. It's their warranty, so I'll go by their recommendations.

 

When I had my 2008 GS350, I did an oil change every 5K. Since this car has the same engine, I'll be changing it at 5K as well

 

i'm debating to bring in my own oil and have them change it during the courtesy 1000 mile check

 

I understand the changing recommendations based in mileage. However, since my car will be 2 years old before I reach 10k miles, I'm wondering if time plays no part in proper maintenance. Thanks.

 

well since you put it that way... i would change at 5K. 10K miles in 2 years... that's better than excellent. i would think time plays a part in proper maintenance.

 

I'm pretty sure (I'll check though) that the Canadian oil change interval is 8000km (so 5000miles). Is that because we're in colder weather, or just because they want to charge more?

This oil change discussion brings me back to my days as a student when I got an internship at Ford. One of the guys there had a Escort Wagon which with over 150k miles. He had changed the oil at about 2000 miles. His reasoning (we worked at an engine plant) was that the first service was to get engine burrs out. After that the engine is a closed system and thus the oil should never get contaminated/bad. Everyone used to tease the guy, but he stood by his theory. The car spewed smoke and he had to top up the oil every couple thousand miles.

 

Yes, oil change interval is 1 year/10,000 miles.

 

According to this service manual (starting page 47), under normal driving condition no oil change needed until 10K. It's funny they even talk about how you're supposed to wash/wax your car.

 

If you read that link it says on the second schedule maintenance service is 12 months or 10K miles for an oil change.