Extending OCI

[weebl]

I have a 2006 Toyota Sienna with the 3MZ-FE. Have always used a synthetic, current fill is 95% PP topped up with Quaker State Ultimate Durability in 5w30 flavour. During this particular fill, the vehicle has seen a good mix of driving, a lot of city, a fair bit of highway, and some towing so far (probably not even 300 miles / 500 km). It has 7,300 km (4,600 miles) on this OCI so far, and I've always done 8,000 km / 5,000 mile OCIs while under warranty. Current filter is Toyota/Denso. This is the first change fully out of warranty.

My concerns as for extending this OCI:

- additional strain of towing on the engine
- 3MZ-FE is a descendant of the sludge monster 1MZ-FE
- upcoming vacation next week towing the trailer, probably about 2,000 km / 1,250 miles

And for other OCIs in general in addition to the above:

- use in winter includes short trips without complete warm up
- extreme cold temperature operation
- extreme hot temperature operation (this summer hasn't been great so far, so can't say that about the weather now)

I normally use:

- 5w30 synthetic: recently has been PP, Quaker State Ultimate Durability and Syntec
- Toyota/Denso filter, or Napa Gold filter

Considering for my future oil stash:

- Toyota 0W-20
- Petro Canada Supreme Synthetic 0W-30

So, with the background information, my two questions:

1. Can I extend this OCI to 10,000 km / 6,250 miles?
2. Can I permanently extend my OCI to this interval, given the conditions experienced, and oils/filters used, and what is a reasonable length?

If a used oil analysis is being suggested, I would rather just spend the money towards more frequent OCI, rather than get what seems to be sometimes questionable results on used oil analysis.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: weebl
If a used oil analysis is being suggested, I would rather just spend the money towards more frequent OCI, rather than get what seems to be sometimes questionable results on used oil analysis.


Which is exactly what many of us do, including myself. I change my oil at 5k and sleep well at night.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Any synthetic oil can easily do 10k KM OCI. The weather in So Cal is much milder and I do 13-14k miles OCI with syn and 6-7k miles with dino in LS400.

 

[sm00thpapa]

I would use a P1 filter and PP for 7.5K and call it a day and you will be fine.

 

[OldCowboy]

One of the main reasons to do used oil analysis is to get a handle on remaining life of the oil through TBN, fuel, and water readings. Your driving habits, more than mileage, will determine the life of the oil. Frequent short trips are murder on oil. Towing is hard on oil. Long trips at moderate speeds (50-70 MPH) are easy on oil.

No one can flatly say what you can do on synthetic or conventional oil. We've seen synthetic oil destroyed in 2000-3000 miles by every day short (1-2 mi) trips. We've also seen conventional oil go for 7000 or more miles when the average trip was 20 miles or more. Semi-synthetics can go for 10,000 miles when the normal trip is over 15 miles.

If you are unwilling to perform some used oil analysis, then stick with the manufacturer's OCI recommendations.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: OldCowboy
One of the main reasons to do used oil analysis is to get a handle on remaining life of the oil through TBN, fuel, and water readings. Your driving habits, more than mileage, will determine the life of the oil. Frequent short trips are murder on oil. Towing is hard on oil. Long trips at moderate speeds (50-70 MPH) are easy on oil.

No one can flatly say what you can do on synthetic or conventional oil. We've seen synthetic oil destroyed in 2000-3000 miles by every day short (1-2 mi) trips. We've also seen conventional oil go for 7000 or more miles when the average trip was 20 miles or more. Semi-synthetics can go for 10,000 miles when the normal trip is over 15 miles.

If you are unwilling to perform some used oil analysis, then stick with the manufacturer's OCI recommendations.


Good info: Extended OCIs aren't for everyone, back them up with data, or follow the owners manual. JMO

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: weebl
- use in winter includes short trips without complete warm up
- extreme cold temperature operation.


This is the ONLY thing in your request that is tough. Nothing else posted really actually stresses your oil. Choose a stout synthetic oil. Change it at 5-6K miles.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: weebl
- use in winter includes short trips without complete warm up
- extreme cold temperature operation.


This is the ONLY thing in your request that is tough. Nothing else posted really actually stresses your oil. Choose a stout synthetic oil. Change it at 5-6K miles.


I agree with Pablo, the winter run is the only time where i'd want good oil flowing through the system to help protect the engine during cold start.

I don't see why you're sweating so much over 5-6k intervals with the redesigned 3MZ engine. My 98 Camry's 1MZ engine handles 5k OCIs with ease and @ 7k the oil was still in good shape. (the car sees EXTREMELY short drives of 4 miles round trip a minimum of 2x daily, 7 days a week, 364 a year.)

With a good quality synthetic, i say 8-10k OCIs are do able.

 

[weebl]

I had some extra time yesterday, so did the oil change anyway. But for future reference, it is looking like extending the shorter amount I'm planning is perfectly fine for most of the time, except during winter.