New Toyota Corolla observations

[RogerKlugerAus05]

Just picked up my new Corolla Wagon today, 1.8 4cyl. The Service book advises NOT to change the factory fill during break in and to wait till first service. Explains sludging and importance of regular oil changes at 10k kms service interval (6.25k miles) to prevent, but no mention of using synthetic oils, viscosity prefered is 5W-30 but 10W-30 ok. There is an option to do extreme duty service at 5k kms which I shall do myself using Mobil 1 10W-30 (5W-30 not available in Australia) and have dealer perform 10k kms services. By the way the car is a delight and hopefully will last me forever!
Roger

 

[friendly_jacek]

These recomendations are similar but not identical to US ones where 7500 miles for regular and 5000 for severe service was recently recomended (at least in my 2003). However, there is a consensus that 5000 is a better interval to prevent sludge and now Toyota scaled back to 5000 miles and equips new cars with service remainder lights that go off at 5000 miles.

Doing mobil 1 oil changes every 5000 km doesn't make any sense, especially since dealer will pour dino oil regardless.

One more thing, 5W30 and 10W30 recommendation in US Toyota cars changed in 2006 and now 0W20 and 5W20 GF-4 oils are recommended. IIRC, the change in engines included increasing sump sizes (I guess to decrease oil temps).

 

[JHZR2]

dont know how we got 160k doing 7500 mile OCIs on our 94 previa... and now have 200k, doing extended OCIs on M1 10w-30.

you'd think with all this scaling back of interval length, that either engine quality or oil quality has takenb a turn for the worse - though obviously it hasnt...

JMH

 

[RogerKlugerAus05]

I have always taken my own oil, Mobil 1, to the dealers for services and they seem happy with that.
Roger

 

[Bill in Utah]

quote:

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Just picked up my new Corolla Wagon today, 1.8 4cyl

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I am so jealous!

I wish we could get those here in the USA. If so, we would have one.

The station Wagon makes sooo much sense. I like the Matrix but your Wagon is just the ticket...

Back to changing oil, I did mine at 1k and did a UOA and was glad to change it out. Was not sorry in the least.

I've done many UOAs with different oils incl Mobil one and the best one was Pennzoil Conventional in 5w-30 for 5k miles.

Take care, Bill

PS: PLEASE take some photos and post it here on BITOG...

 

[Blue_Goose]

In case you didn't know it, changing the oil and filter on the Corolla is very easy to do. Probably one of the most user friendly do it your self cars on the market today

Goose

 

[Alcibiades]

Does the newest Corolla model still have a spin-on filter? The Camry (and Avalon?) switched to cartridges.

 

[JustinC25]

quote:

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Originally posted by Alcibiades:
Does the newest Corolla model still have a spin-on filter? The Camry (and Avalon?) switched to cartridges.

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Only on the V6 Camry the 4 cylinder still uses the 90915-YZZF1.

 

[friendly_jacek]

quote:

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Originally posted by JHZR2:
dont know how we got 160k doing 7500 mile OCIs on our 94 previa... and now have 200k, doing extended OCIs on M1 10w-30.

you'd think with all this scaling back of interval length, that either engine quality or oil quality has takenb a turn for the worse - though obviously it hasnt...

JMH

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You forgot that emission standards changed since 94. Today's engines are asked to do more with less gas. Something has to give.

 

[milwaukee]

How did "something" in 1994 makes engines harder on oil?

I think modern engines are way easier on oil and modern oils are wwwwaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy better than what they were just 10 years ago.

 

[friendly_jacek]

quote:

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Originally posted by milwaukee:
How did "something" in 1994 makes engines harder on oil?

I think modern engines are way easier on oil and modern oils are wwwwaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy better than what they were just 10 years ago.

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I thought we had an epidemic of sludge at the turn of the millenium: Toyota, VW, Chrysler, SAAB.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_sludge

I guess this is because "modern oils are wwwwaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy better" or maybe
modern engines are wwwwaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy easier on oil?

 

[GarrettSocling]

quote:

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Originally posted by friendly_jacek:

quote:

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Originally posted by milwaukee:
How did "something" in 1994 makes engines harder on oil?

I think modern engines are way easier on oil and modern oils are wwwwaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy better than what they were just 10 years ago.

---

I thought we had an epidemic of sludge at the turn of the millenium: Toyota, VW, Chrysler, SAAB.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_sludge

I guess this is because "modern oils are wwwwaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy better" or maybe
modern engines are wwwwaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy easier on oil?

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re: an above post, maybe engineers were asked to do too much with too little, and something had to give?

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by GarrettSocling:
maybe engineers were asked to do too much with too little, and something had to give?

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Bingo!

 

[427Z06]

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill in Utah:
I wish we could get those here in the USA. If so, we would have one.

The station Wagon makes sooo much sense. I like the Matrix but your Wagon is just the ticket...

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Yep. I bet many might consider trading in their old Exploders and Blazers for one of these with current fuel prices.

 

[ex_MGB]

"Oil sludge is a solid or gel in motor oil caused by the oil gelling or solidifying, usually at temperatures lower than 100 degrees Celsius."

I thought sludge formed at elevated temperatures such as in the Toyota sludge monster V6 with the high temp heads.

100C is at the low end of a typical engine's operating range.

 

[bigbadbowtie]

I have an 2005 Corolla and it is one of the easiest vehicles to change the oil on. I do my own changes and keep track in the manual as well as keep receipts.

I changed the factory fill at 3000 miles. I had 2 free oil changes through toyota and did those at 3k mile intervals. I put 9000 miles on conventional oil. I then changed to M1 5-30 and have been running it 5000 miles. I now have 24000 miles on it and have had 0 issues. Once the factory warranty is out, Ill go to extended oil changes. The next oil will be PP.

Enjoy your Corolla...mine averages 36 to 37 MPG with a 40/60 mix of city/hwy.