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mr__ed's avatar
mr__ed
Explorer
Jun 20, 2018

Oil Change Interval

I own a 2015 Toyota Sienna van. The warranty is almost up. My question has to do with the oil change interval shown in the maintenance manual. It stipulates a 6 month/5k miles interval between changes. I've been using the dealer for oil changes while under warranty. I will use 0W-20 synthetic oil as recommended by Toyota, but it seems to me that 5 month intervals are too short,,especially for synthetic oil. I think that time frame can be stretched considerably (I don't put on a lot of mileage, mostly around town).

BTW, there is a brand of synthetic oil (I think it's Mobile 1) that guarantees a year between changes. Your thoughts? Thanks.

37 Replies

  • Go by the owner's manual for your type of use. My older (2006) Sienna says 6 months/5K miles with 5W30. I buy Castrol that's rated for 10K, for some extra protection in case I don't get it changed exactly on schedule.
  • pauldub wrote:
    I'd stick with what Toyota specifies. Oil is cheap.

    X2, cheap insurance.
  • I would go 10,000 and ignore time as long as you do not run consistently short trips. As long as you put it away hot I don't worry about time.

    Nothing wrong with the 10k or 1 year in the manual either.
  • Stick with the Toyota guidelines.
    They have done the research and know better than anyone what the fuel contamination and other values are to come up with that specification.
  • 10,000 miles on full synthetic is nothing. But to peove it to yourself send an oil samply to a lab like Blackstone.
  • I looked in the manual. The maintenance schedule that you're quoting is for towing. They specify 10,000 miles or 12 months for normal usage. I'd stick with what Toyota specifies. Oil is cheap. FYI, in-town miles are much harder on a vehicle than highway miles are.

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