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That nonsense about the need to change oil at 5K is based on one datapoint of unknown reliability and with incomplete information. Was synthetic used at every change? Was the car driven unusually? Was it changed at 10K miles every single time?
Toyota and Lexus have access to vast amounts of data as well as laboratory testing under repeatable conditions. Toyota and Lexus would reduce oil change recommendations in a heartbeat if they believed 10K was too long, as it would hurt their reputation to have engine damage in their cars (and their dealer network would love to change customers oil more frequently). Please do not base decisions by watching one scary video and news article of unknown sourcing and integrity.
That's what they say about transmission fluid too (lifetime) but we know that's not true and lots of people learn hard way that what manufacturer recommends is just enough to last through warranty period.
Quite a bit of FUD here on this thread, just the facts please!
You know that engines have changed over the years and it has been proven that synthetic oil typically doubles the oil change interval. Two critical factors are length of time and miles driven. But then there are other factors such as how long are each drive, how hard is the car driven , are they highway miles, Do you live in a very humid a very dust area? These videos and mechanic testimonials offer no substantial data. If you change your oil at 5K mile intervals then how long will the engine last ?
I would never go to a dealer or anyone if I thought they used substandard cheap or even worse recycled oil. I think te vides play on the "chicken Little" fear in people. I personally do not thin the sky is falling, There is a lot of FUD in this thread about oil changes and oil life.
Some dudes Sienna's UOA. with just 5100 miles/8300km. Same engine as the 350h.
YMMV
Yeah, he is def out of grade. It is not totally unexpected. Did you notice it was a hybrid too? By the report date, also likely mostly winter driving. Wonder what was the location?
Just look at this Toyota TSB on water in oil. It will make you think on how you manage both your oil change intervals and driving patterns to keep this engine hot to expel gas/water from oil
The turbo has its issues of even more piston blow-by due to the boost pressure, but the hybrid has its own concerns of how much the engine runs and really warms up. And both have DI with its potential for greater piston wash of gas to the oil pan. Just changing the oil sooner than 10k, which I think is a strong consideration, is just part of good car care maintenance today. However, I am not convinced a really short tripper in cold weather would not have both in the oil even during a 5k change -as this report shows.
Just a new reality to adjust and be aware, if you want to keep it for a long time. I admit we are flying blind until you do a test as above, but I know my 350h is not my hot, running Toyota 6 cyl or yore, which one never heard of these type of problem unless you started your car in the dead cold of winter and mostly moved it only around the driveway or down the block to the grocery store. LOL
Yeah, he is def out of grade. It is not totally unexpected. Did you notice it was a hybrid too? By the report date, also likely mostly winter driving. Wonder what was the location?
Just look at this Toyota TSB on water in oil. It will make you think on how you manage both your oil change intervals and driving patterns to keep this engine hot to expel gas/water from oil
The turbo has its issues of even more piston blow-by due to the boost pressure, but the hybrid has its own concerns of how much the engine runs and really warms up. And both have DI with its potential for greater piston wash of gas to the oil pan. Just changing the oil sooner than 10k, which I think is a strong consideration, is just part of good car care maintenance today. However, I am not convinced a really short tripper in cold weather would not have both in the oil even during a 5k change -as this report shows.
Just a new reality to adjust and be aware, if you want to keep it for a long time. I admit we are flying blind until you do a test as above, but I know my 350h is not my hot, running Toyota 6 cyl or yore, which one never heard of these type of problem unless you started your car in the dead cold of winter and mostly moved it only around the driveway or down the block to the grocery store. LOL
I believe it was a Canadian Sienna that was doing 90% urban driving and 10% hwy driving. The 2020+ Sienna is hybrid only.
Doing 5k regardless the driving condition is quite a hardcore approach. The owner manual does ask for 5k oil change when the car is driven primarily in 4 conditions.
Personally, i will be doing a 6-7k oci. if i feel comfortable, i may let it go to 7-8k.
Last edited by xcoreflyup; Oct 31, 2022 at 11:20 PM.
Changed it at 1k, then again at 5k, seeing how dark the oil change gives me piece of mind. I intend on owning past the warranty, a few hundred bucks extra over a few years won't make me lose any sleep. Some people here paid additional dealer mark ups, so perhaps they don't want to spend more at the dealership
...seeing how dark the oil change gives me piece of mind...
Using the color of the oil alone means nothing. If using that mentality I would have to change my oil in my old Dodge Ram at single mile intervals. The oil was black immediately upon being put in the engine.
A true scientific oil analysis by a reputable lab is really the only way to know. For all the "I change my oil every 5k because it makes me feel good" and the "I wait until 50k because synthetic is magic" people... if you want to really know, send it in. Several options, the most popular being Blackstone Labs. Until you've got proof... you are just being an Internet Hero...
Quite a bit of FUD here on this thread, just the facts please!
