New Tacoma Maintenance Plan

boone88rr · Jun 7, 2006

I have been debating on what to do.

I already have a small bottle of LC20 and 3 bottles of Auto-Rx (1 is going in my fiance's ZX2 this weekend).

My question is what type of maintenance plan should I follow? I am currently running GC and LC per the instructions in my 2005 Tacoma V6 (15,500 miles on the odo).

Should I alternate using maintenance doses of each? One OCI with LC20 and the next with Auto-Rx? Or should I run conventional oil and a full Auto-Rx treatment every 25k or 50k?

There seems to be a lot of mixed information as to what is acceptable. I want to use both because they both seem to have there own unique benefits.

deoxy4 · Jun 7, 2006

I must admit I have no experience with your engine but have had the same question concerning a Honda 2.4L. The concensus on the board is that LC can be used to extend OCI and that Auto-rx is a cleaner.

I do not feel comfortable extending OCI's to 10K and change at 5-7K. I use cheap dino, what ever is on sale (MC, Superflo, Havoline synthetic, Maxlife synthetic). I use 5W-20 or 5w30 interchangably. I use FP @ 3 0z. per tank and LC as recommended.

I have 25K on my vehicle and have started an Auto-rx cleaning. Depending what I find in my filter will determine for me if I can extend the Auto-rx cleaning. Maybe not very scientific but that's how I am going to proceed.

John Hilmer · Jun 8, 2006

There is a lot to cover in these tow posts from my rookie understanding.

Boone, your engine is going to probably exhibit break-in type of contamination for a while and you have to observe the warranty OCI thing, so I would think that with this young engine you would do well to use the LC-20 and keep the OCI's in accordance with the warranty requirements. After you fall out of warranty do a full on A-RX dino treatment. My thinking here is that you'll benefit from the LC-20 during the next while and preserve the warranty. My experiance is that the LC-20 will keep varnish at bay. A-RX will clean the metals and ring-pack, but this isn't necessary until you are past the 25K mark. The Toyota V-6's show very little wear with many decent oils even without additives. If you want to get really tight on controlling wear and the effect of the oil and additives...

* Get started on used oil analysis soon! After you have a couple of these or even one get the professional help available from Terry Dyson. *

deoxy4, I've also been timid about extending the OCI and clipped my last one at 7K with GC. I stopped that OCI because I wanted to err on the side of caution. The used oil analysis was supportive of the potential that the oil could have gone longer without any problems. The used oil analysis was read by Terry and he advized me to alter the additives that I'm using, LC-20 and FP-60 and take it to 10K OCI. I'm at 6.5K into the OCI and the oil is just now showing enough color for me to be able to see it on the stick. Blotter tests show virtually no contamination or wear from my little Toyota 1NZFE.

I suppose that what I'm saying here in general is that if you don't have the used oil analyzed and read by a guy like Terry it seems to me that you are "Flying Blind" and trying to guess what is optimal.

This is just my perspective and take on these things.

If the gurus here correct me I'll be pleased.

It seemed to me that you were not getting any replies, so I wrote this just to make sure that we can all get blasted for being rookies.

John

ARB1977 · Jun 8, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by boone88rr:
I have been debating on what to do.

I already have a small bottle of LC20 and 3 bottles of Auto-Rx (1 is going in my fiance's ZX2 this weekend).

My question is what type of maintenance plan should I follow? I am currently running GC and LC per the instructions in my 2005 Tacoma V6 (15,500 miles on the odo).

Should I alternate using maintenance doses of each? One OCI with LC20 and the next with Auto-Rx? Or should I run conventional oil and a full Auto-Rx treatment every 25k or 50k?

There seems to be a lot of mixed information as to what is acceptable. I want to use both because they both seem to have there own unique benefits.

Your engine is brand new in order to keep it that way just run a good synthetic blend with 5K oil change intervals then after the warrenty is up go to a full synthetic. I did redline and amsoil full synthetics during my warrenty and i know my engine is clean but i wish i would of gone to a synthetic blend first then to the full because you cant get the full benefits of a full synthetic with only 5K change intervals to get the full benefits you need to go to 7500 or 10K+. In other words i wasted my money.

deoxy4 · Jun 8, 2006

I did a few searches regarding newer Toyota V-6 to find that wear is not a significant issue and OCI could probably be dictated by insoluables and/or fuel dilution. Does Toyota still recommend 5K OCI? Can't immagine that any dino with LC would not last 5K in an engine in good mechanical condition. An Auto-rx cleaning at 25-50K miles would provide additional peace of mind.

I am somewhat of an oil hoarder. I have 5 years of cheap oil I picked up at $69-$1.00 per quart and Advance Auto filters at $1.34 to last the same. Oil changes with LC cost me $7-$8.50. I drive 10-12K a year 50/50 city/highway and don't mind changing the oil 2-3 times a year. Doing an Auto-rx cleaning every two to three years seems reasonable. I don't plan on doing oil analysis to optimize OCI. I would not hesitate doing an analysis if I suspected a coolant leak.

unDummy · Jun 8, 2006

On that Toyota, I would use NOTHING but synthetic oil changed twice a year or ~7.5k miles, whichever comes first. I would also use the biggest oil filter that'll fit.

used oil analysis & consultants aren't in everyone's budget. Synthetic oil should be.
With synthetic, I've never lost an engine in my million or so miles of driving already. Also, never lost an engine that I maintain for friends/families/coworkers/customers in many millions of miles of usage.

Since you are using GC/LC, stick with it and save the AutoRX for the higher mileage issues like sludge & crud.

With GC and a sane OC, per your owners manual OR the UOA, I don't see the need for anthing added to that oil at all.

boone88rr · Jun 8, 2006

Thank you very much for the responses.

I have had a used oil analysis done already on some Amsoil (Link) and my break in contamination is already pretty low. I plan on running this current run of GC up to 5500 miles (as advised). Hopefully I can slowly increase the OCI as the analysis indicates. I'd love to get it to 2 changes a year regardless of mileage (I average 14,000 per year). The warranty says oil changes between 5-7k.

I guess my real question was, is it advised to alternate products like I said above or just do a full application of Auto-Rx every so often?

Bryanccfshr · Jun 8, 2006

Run any quality conventional or semi syn with LC and all will be in balance. I plan on running Tropartic and LC in my Toyota engines (1gr fe) for the warranty period maybe longer. No need to over complicate things or waste money on oils that show no improved performance in the OCI you plan on running.

boone88rr · Jun 8, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by Bryanccfshr:
Run any quality conventional or semi syn with LC and all will be in balance. I plan on running Tropartic and LC in my Toyota engines (1gr fe) for the warranty period maybe longer. No need to over complicate things or waste money on oils that show no improved performance in the OCI you plan on running.

Well thanks but that doesn't really answer my question. I don't really care about the "wasting of the money" angle. I have already bought all the supplies. I have a two year stash of GC. I have a gallon of FP. I have 32 oz. of LC and two bottles of Auto-Rx.

I really just want some advice on the application of it. Advice on a maintenance plan using the above mentioned oils and additives.

Forget what car it is.

If you had a car, X, with a fairly clean, maintained engine. Would you use Auto-Rx in alternating maintenance doses with LC or would you run full, per instructions, applications of ARx every 25-50k with LC in between?

Steve S · Jun 8, 2006

What is the oil change interval for warranty reasons? What about the rest on the drive train?

deoxy4 · Jun 9, 2006

Why not do a search in the used oil analysis section using LC and Auto-rx maintenance as search terms and compare insoluables,wear,TBN etc.
Maybe you can determine for yourself which strategy is better for your purpose. If it is inconclusive run your alternating maintenance plans.

boone88rr · Jun 9, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by Steve S:
What is the oil change interval for warranty reasons? What about the rest on the drive train?

Allowable OCI for most new cars is 6 months/5-7k miles. So I'm not planning on running any 10k OCI's right now. All I want is to be able to change my oil twice a year using some of the best products available.

The warranty is a 3 year/36,000 miles. I have another 20k to decide if I want to purchase the extended warranty (7 year/100k).

Bryanccfshr · Jun 9, 2006

5k or 6 month is the Toyota USA warranty requirement since ~2004 My 2006 has that requirement.

As for the original posters question.

Use GC and Auto RX for 50k then do an auto RX treatment and then continue using motor oil and LC. The engine will be fine with any oil at warranty OCI's, with or without the additives and cleaners. I personally don't see a problem to solve.

Jim 5 · Jun 9, 2006

Don't forget about your differntial(s).

My opinion is that it's important to change out the diff fluid early on, after around 5k miles. Others have a different opinion, but you'll find a fair amount of junk in there after break in of your diffs.

The nice thing about toyotas is they have diff drain and fill plugs. My dad changed his out on his new Tacoma and the rear diff took around 3L as I recall.

I just did my neighbours diffs on his 97 Land Cruiser and I think they tood around 3L each as well.

boone88rr · Jun 9, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by Jim 5:
Don't forget about your differntial(s).

My opinion is that it's important to change out the diff fluid early on, after around 5k miles. Others have a different opinion, but you'll find a fair amount of junk in there after break in of your diffs.

Yeah, I did all of them around 7500 miles, last September. I'm using all Amsoil fluids now.

There was a lot of metallic "sludge" in the gear oil and the magnetic drain plugs were coated with it as well.

muddawgs · Jun 9, 2006

a used oil analysis of each will tell you what you need to know. those are a great engine and is not known for dirtiness issues or sludge. i'd save the auto rx for a better application/car and use a good quality oil. mc 5w30 and Mobil 1 5w30 have shown almost identical used oil analysis in my 3.4 taco and 3.4 4runner at 7mo and 1yr intervals. follow the warranty change intervals and document your changes for warranty reasons in case you ever need them.. toyota has been strict in there warranty work and has denied a bunch because one could not document the changes even though they knew they had issues with the sludge a few years back and poor engine design. you wont have those issues though.. good luck..

ARB1977 · Jul 6, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by boone88rr:
I have been debating on what to do.

I already have a small bottle of LC20 and 3 bottles of Auto-Rx (1 is going in my fiance's ZX2 this weekend).

My question is what type of maintenance plan should I follow? I am currently running GC and LC per the instructions in my 2005 Tacoma V6 (15,500 miles on the odo).

Should I alternate using maintenance doses of each? One OCI with LC20 and the next with Auto-Rx? Or should I run conventional oil and a full Auto-Rx treatment every 25k or 50k?

There seems to be a lot of mixed information as to what is acceptable. I want to use both because they both seem to have there own unique benefits.

**** ive havent yet added any LC20 nor Auto-Rx in my 2002 Tacoma 3.4L just Redline for most of its life and now Amsoil Series 3000. Since i was under warrenty i did 5K oil change intervals with Redline so now that im out of warrenty im going to run Amsoil S3K for 10K then get a used oil analysis. Hasnt burned any oil even on my 1600 mile journey towing a 6x12' with some 100 degree heat my truck drove flawlessly. Under the oil cap looks just as clean as the day i bought it.

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