Oil change interval recommendation

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I am surprised I have not found a FAQ on what I am about to ask. If it is a common question with a post addressing it feel free to point me to it. On a general search I did not find anything except an OCI chart.

I have a 1992 toyota camry. The book OCI is 3000. I see many sites saying with new oil technology the OCI can actually be much longer and the short interval myth is due to oil change shops wanting more business and pushing it. The idea is that if the original engineers who came up with the 3000 OCI back in 1992 could see the improvements in oil over 30 years they would recommend 5 to 7000 for the same engine using conventional oil. On the other side I see comments that keeping 3000 is a good idea because old engines can sludge up oil easier than new engines.

So, do the improvements in conventional oil since 1992 make a 7000 OCI what the engine designers would recommend now?
 
I had an 81 Celica that recommended 10k.
That was too long in that era.

Depending on your driving habits i.e. long vs short , 5 k seems reasonable.
I would not do extended on an older car like that.
 
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3k wasn't unreasonable back then, both oil and filters sucked compared to now. But with modern oils in an older engine like that you could do 10k on without sweating it. Considering that engine wouldn't mind a euro grade oil and a euro grade costs about the same or a few bucks more I'd just use a euro grade and run it long. I use whatever cheapest 15w-40 in my old gas trucks year round since it doesn't get too cold but you're up in MI. I go 8-11k on it and I've got 540k on both combined with no engine tear down or a single issue since new so far.
 
Conventional or synthetic?
2.2 or 3.0? Or?
What filter?
Is that 3000 miles a year? or in 3 weeks?
With no idling/traffic or short trips? or just highway runs?

You can't do anything without backing data(UOA) and more details.
 
Conventional or synthetic?
2.2 or 3.0? Or?
What filter?
Is that 3000 miles a year? or in 3 weeks?
With no idling/traffic or short trips? or just highway runs?

You can't do anything without backing data(UOA) and more details.
Good Questions to ask . Can't just throw numbers out there without any info .
 
Conventional or synthetic?
2.2 or 3.0? Or?
What filter?
Is that 3000 miles a year? or in 3 weeks?
With no idling/traffic or short trips? or just highway runs?

You can't do anything without backing data(UOA) and more details.
I use conventional.
2.2
about 1,000/month
driving mostly split between a 30 mi distance and 5 mi distance minimal traffic avg speed 50mph with about 5 stop signs/lights each route.
 
Add me to those above that have recommended a 5k mile oil change interval. A 5k mile oci would be very safe for the conditions you describe above.
 
I concur that modern oil would fair better at longer intervals. However it is a 30 year old engine. I tend to get more conservative with maintenance as things age not less. And I also don’t tend to change something that is working just cause.
 
My Aunt had a 1990 Camry with the 2.2L five speed. Used Pennzoil High Mileage 5W30 every 4 thousand miles. Car had 249,xxx before the rust ate the body and went to crusher here in Pennsylvania.
 
Unless we know the "why" behind the manufacturer's recommendation of 3000 miles, it's hard to say whether running longer OCIs is advisable. I would imagine it's likely that newer oils could run longer, but what if it's a fuel contamination consideration?

As others have suggested, analysis of your oil at the next 3000 mile change would be the data you need to make an informed decision about extending. Alternatively, if you can find analysis documentation from the same engine, that could provide some insight.
 
I use conventional.
2.2
about 1,000/month
driving mostly split between a 30 mi distance and 5 mi distance minimal traffic avg speed 50mph with about 5 stop signs/lights each route.
As long as you check the oil often and keep it filled fully, I don't see why you can't run it 6 months, especially if you have an oil cooler.

If you don't have an oil cooler, I'd use a synthetic oil for that 6 month interval.

Without an oil cooler, these engines can be sludge monsters so that frequent 'conventional' oil change interval should be kept without an OE oil cooler.

If there is room, the PH3614 and PH3600 oil filters will fit. I ran the 3600 sized filters on my 2.2's .... you'll get more filtration media for this crud monster with the bigger filters. The PH3614 size is used on the older 4.7L V8 from the Sequioa/4runner/Tundra if you use Toyota filters. The '3600' FL400s is the common Ford/Dodge/Mazda/Jeep filter on various engines years back.
 
Those are bullet proof toyota engines, perhaps best they made. You can use whatever oil you like, it will keep going and going
 
On our 87 Camry we always used Mobil 1 full synthetic and once a year or 10,000 mile oil changes in extremely heavy Los Angeles city traffic during rush hour. Had the car 33 years. 190,000 miles valve cover looked pretty new when sold.
 
Assuming the engine is healthy... I also vote for 5,000 mile service intervals on full syn or syn blend.
I'm currently doing 6500-7000 mile service intervals on full syn, moving toward shorter intervals as I approach / pass 200k ODO miles.
 
I'd do 5k, and a tire rotation at the same time. Can it go further? probably, especially with better oils. But 5k is a nice easy number to work with.

If this is new to you, check the oil "often". Don't want to have any surprises. Myself, I like to check after it's been sitting 4+ hours (or overnight), just pull the dipstick and check, no need for a rag. Heck, I've done this while at work, go out during lunchtime, good excuse to stretch the legs.
 
I am surprised I have not found a FAQ on what I am about to ask. If it is a common question with a post addressing it feel free to point me to it. On a general search I did not find anything except an OCI chart.

I have a 1992 toyota camry. The book OCI is 3000. I see many sites saying with new oil technology the OCI can actually be much longer and the short interval myth is due to oil change shops wanting more business and pushing it. The idea is that if the original engineers who came up with the 3000 OCI back in 1992 could see the improvements in oil over 30 years they would recommend 5 to 7000 for the same engine using conventional oil. On the other side I see comments that keeping 3000 is a good idea because old engines can sludge up oil easier than new engines.

So, do the improvements in conventional oil since 1992 make a 7000 OCI what the engine designers would recommend now?
Fortunately, the 92-96 5S-FE/3VZ-FE was before Toyota turned up the operating temperature for the 97-2001 generation that had the oil sludging.

You could go 7500 miles or 5000 miles with modern oils.
 
Oil change Intervals? Ans: it depends.

Question is on what?
1. Type of driving: Many short trips (up to 5 miles) = more frequent vs. longer daily commutes
2. Turbo vs. non-turbo engine = more frequent
3. 4 cylinders vs. 6 cylinders = no idea!
4. Older vehicles = depends??
5. Type of oil = Full Synthetic Euro = longer intervals
6. Driving conditions (Summer/Winter temperature variances, dust, more?) = more extreme = more frequent
7. More......???

Please add additional criteria to the list.

Would be helpful to set some guidelines (NOT absolutes) tapping into the collective knowledge of this forum.

Thinking I will try 7,500 miles (max two years) on M1 Euro FS and see what results I get using an oil analysis as a guide on the final decision as to frequency/miles. Since Covid and working from home, annual milage has been reduced significantly on the family cars. Have always bought quality new/late model used and drive until I give them away, driving for as many years as possible on each vehicle. This includes tracking some of the cars, daily commuter runners, and a couple of motorcycles.
 
On my LS3, I change mine between 5~8k. Late spring through late summer we run 115º ambients. Most of my driving is freeway at 82-mph.
 
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