I have a 2003 Corolla with 125,000 miles. I have owned this car for four years and have doubled its mileage. In that time I have used exclusively mobil 1 5w-30 and pureone filters every 5 to 6,000 miles. I feel that this may be overkill. I know that this is a good engine but is also prone to sludging. When a friend (mechanic) adjusted the engine valves about 20,000 miles ago he commented that the engine looked as clean under the vavle cover as a car with 10,000 miles, and that is after his 30 years of working on cars.
Would you extend the drain interval. I like to play it safe but wonder if I am being too conservative with my oil changes here.
2003 Corolla oil change interval opinions
- Thread starter Clubber_Lang
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No, keep to your schedule since it's working very well for you. That way you're going to exceed 300,000 miles easily without engine issues other than normal wear and tear parts.
Run an OCI to be sure, if you really want to be certain. Do note that Mobil 1 will guarantee the oil for 10,000 miles. If you want, switch from 5 or 6,000 to 10,000 miles, using M1 EP. You'll almost double your OCI for a few dollars more (in the States, at least).
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2023
I haven't heard of the Corolla being sludge prone, my car is definitely sludge prone.
Keep running your same OCI's, you don't have a lot of miles on it yet anyways.
I think 6,000 miles is fine, although the PureOnes have been tearing lately with the higher mileage. I would agree with changing filters, if you go with Fram the Tough Guard is more than adequate, or you could use the Ultra for 2X changes. If you use the Wix i would change it every interval.
Originally Posted By: Garak
Run an OCI to be sure, if you really want to be certain. Do note that Mobil 1 will guarantee the oil for 10,000 miles. If you want, switch from 5 or 6,000 to 10,000 miles, using M1 EP. You'll almost double your OCI for a few dollars more (in the States, at least).
Originally Posted By: Clubber_Lang
I have a 2003 Corolla with 125,000 miles. I have owned this car for four years and have doubled its mileage. In that time I have used exclusively mobil 1 5w-30 and pureone filters every 5 to 6,000 miles. I feel that this may be overkill.
That engine already burns oil or will eventually from the oil return holes being clogged, only 4 holes, the updated pistons have 8 holes instead.
I have rebuilt 4 so far with different mileage and...every single one had stuck oil control rings with fully carboned up oil return holes.
Use a full synthetic at a reasonable OCI (your previous 6k is just fine, just go by mileage and not time) and this will delay your oil return holes from being clogged up.
Originally Posted By: 01_celica_gt
That engine already burns oil or will eventually from the oil return holes being clogged, only 4 holes, the updated pistons have 8 holes instead.
I have rebuilt 4 so far with different mileage and...every single one had stuck oil control rings with fully carboned up oil return holes.
Use a full synthetic at a reasonable OCI (your previous 6k is just fine, just go by mileage and not time) and this will delay your oil return holes from being clogged up.
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Originally Posted By: 01_celica_gt
That engine already burns oil or will eventually from the oil return holes being clogged, only 4 holes, the updated pistons have 8 holes instead.
I have rebuilt 4 so far with different mileage and...every single one had stuck oil control rings with fully carboned up oil return holes.
Use a full synthetic at a reasonable OCI (your previous 6k is just fine, just go by mileage and not time) and this will delay your oil return holes from being clogged up.
A half of a quart every 5k is very good and nothing to fret about at all. You could try a high mileage oil to attempt to curb it but IMO I'd just keep using the same oil at the same interval and switch to a filter that isn't prone to tearing. BTW I don't believe that engine is prone to sludging.
I wouldn't worry too much, have you replaced PCV valve on this vehicle?
I would do that also.
Originally Posted By: Clubber_Lang
Originally Posted By: 01_celica_gt
That engine already burns oil or will eventually from the oil return holes being clogged, only 4 holes, the updated pistons have 8 holes instead.
I have rebuilt 4 so far with different mileage and...every single one had stuck oil control rings with fully carboned up oil return holes.
Use a full synthetic at a reasonable OCI (your previous 6k is just fine, just go by mileage and not time) and this will delay your oil return holes from being clogged up.
Originally Posted By: Clubber_Lang
I have a 2003 Corolla with 125,000 miles. I have owned this car for four years and have doubled its mileage. In that time I have used exclusively mobil 1 5w-30 and pureone filters every 5 to 6,000 miles. I feel that this may be overkill. I know that this is a good engine but is also prone to sludging. When a friend (mechanic) adjusted the engine valves about 20,000 miles ago he commented that the engine looked as clean under the vavle cover as a car with 10,000 miles, and that is after his 30 years of working on cars.
Would you extend the drain interval. I like to play it safe but wonder if I am being too conservative with my oil changes here.
Perhaps u can do 7500 mile OCI if u don't trust 10k miles. Mobil 1 is a good oil. I know oem Toyota filters are not that expensive so consider them vs purolator.
Originally Posted By: Motorking
Originally Posted By: Clubber_Lang
I have a 2003 Corolla with 125,000 miles. I have owned this car for four years and have doubled its mileage. In that time I have used exclusively mobil 1 5w-30 and pureone filters every 5 to 6,000 miles. I feel that this may be overkill. I know that this is a good engine but is also prone to sludging. When a friend (mechanic) adjusted the engine valves about 20,000 miles ago he commented that the engine looked as clean under the vavle cover as a car with 10,000 miles, and that is after his 30 years of working on cars.
Would you extend the drain interval. I like to play it safe but wonder if I am being too conservative with my oil changes here.
Originally Posted By: Motorking
Originally Posted By: Clubber_Lang
I have a 2003 Corolla with 125,000 miles. I have owned this car for four years and have doubled its mileage. In that time I have used exclusively mobil 1 5w-30 and pureone filters every 5 to 6,000 miles. I feel that this may be overkill. I know that this is a good engine but is also prone to sludging. When a friend (mechanic) adjusted the engine valves about 20,000 miles ago he commented that the engine looked as clean under the vavle cover as a car with 10,000 miles, and that is after his 30 years of working on cars.
Would you extend the drain interval. I like to play it safe but wonder if I am being too conservative with my oil changes here.
Originally Posted By: pbm
Originally Posted By: 01_celica_gt
That engine already burns oil or will eventually from the oil return holes being clogged, only 4 holes, the updated pistons have 8 holes instead.
I have rebuilt 4 so far with different mileage and...every single one had stuck oil control rings with fully carboned up oil return holes.
Use a full synthetic at a reasonable OCI (your previous 6k is just fine, just go by mileage and not time) and this will delay your oil return holes from being clogged up.
Originally Posted By: 01_celica_gt
Originally Posted By: pbm
Originally Posted By: 01_celica_gt
That engine already burns oil or will eventually from the oil return holes being clogged, only 4 holes, the updated pistons have 8 holes instead.
I have rebuilt 4 so far with different mileage and...every single one had stuck oil control rings with fully carboned up oil return holes.
Use a full synthetic at a reasonable OCI (your previous 6k is just fine, just go by mileage and not time) and this will delay your oil return holes from being clogged up.
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