Want to run a cleaning cycle

[ruxCYtable]

Just bought an '09 model car with ~ 38k miles and don't know its maintenance history. To be on the safe side I was thinking of running some kind of cleaning cycle but I'm far from an expert on these things and the idea of an additive kind of scares me.

I've read on here before that Pennzoil test data shows their oils have good cleaning abilities. So should I run several short OCIs of PYB? Like a few 1,000 mile OCIs or what?

Or should I ramp up, say, 1,000 miles at a time? Start with a 1k OCI, then 2k, then 3k and so on.

Would appreciate your suggestions.

 

[JAM25]

The 1K OCI on PYB is a great idea. Id do it without thinking it twice. +1

 

[Zaedock]

IMO, running any oil under 3,000 miles is an economic waste.

Many of the additives in the oil take a bit of time to activate and really start to work. Depending on the vehicle and conditions driven, I would say a 4-5K interval would be more beneficial than a 1,000 mile interval, with less wear too.

What vehicle is it?

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: JAM25
The 1K OCI on PYB is a great idea. Id do it without thinking it twice. +1


If you go this route, please send me the used oil so I can run it for another 5-6K.

 

[A_Harman]

No, just start running the Pennzoil of your choice for normal OCI's.

 

[wn1998]

On a car with 38k just change the oil and stay on schedule. I really don't think there is anything you need to do. You may want to take a look at AutoRX if it will give you piece of mind.

 

[05LGTLtd]

Make/Model?

Recommended grade(s) of oil?

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: wn1998
On a car with 38k just change the oil and stay on schedule. I really don't think there is anything you need to do. You may want to take a look at AutoRX if it will give you piece of mind.


Maintenance cycle for Auto-Rx Plus.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Sorry, it's a 2009 Toyota RAV4 with the V6, 2GR-FE, 5W-30 is recommended

 

[Phishin]

You're in Iowa. Swap out a quart of oil for MMO at your next OC. If you want, run a 5w40 or 0w40 to help combat MMO thinning down the oil a bit.

Rotella T6, M1 0w40 or M1 10w40HM. Just my opinion.

 

[askani79705]

Run PP/PU for a 10k oci with a decent filter and call it good.

 

[05LGTLtd]

My two cents:

Now: PYB one quart 10w40 and half quart MMO, remainder 5w30 and run for 2-3k depending on your comfort level and visual. Use rest of MMO 4-6oz per tank or top off oil.

Next OCI: PP or PU 5w30 for 3-5k.

Then go to 5-7.5k intervals with QUSD, M1, PP, PU, etc.. with a good filter.

Unless you have serious concerns I think that's reasonable. You could sub in QSGB or Mobil super if you prefer.

 

[surfstar]

There's nothing to clean up - 38k is just broken in!
IF you think you must do some cleaning - pick up some PU on wallyworld closeout, run a couple OCIs of 5k.

1k would be a complete waste.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
There's nothing to clean up - 38k is just broken in!
IF you think you must do some cleaning - pick up some PU on wallyworld closeout, run a couple OCIs of 5k.

1k would be a complete waste.
You are probably right and I am just being overly cautious. But the car was on a 3-year lease before I bought it and you never know if someone wasn't planning on keeping it beyond 3 years how well they took care of it.

 

[surfstar]

Originally Posted By: ruxCYtable
But the car was on a 3-year lease before I bought it and you never know if someone wasn't planning on keeping it beyond 3 years how well they took care of it.


Actually aren't leases supposed to follow the owners manual to a T? Issues in this case are with BMWs extended drains allowed during a lease - those are the ones you don't want to end up with as a second owner.

Your V6 Rav4 should be good to go! And quickly, right? Those guys are peppy!

 

[demarpaint]

What exactly do you expect to clean with just oil in 1000 miles? I think it would be a perfect waste of good oil. Verify first that the engine needs cleaning, then go from there.

 

[donnyj08]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
There's nothing to clean up - 38k is just broken in!
IF you think you must do some cleaning - pick up some PU on wallyworld closeout, run a couple OCIs of 5k.

1k would be a complete waste.



This^ it should have little to clean. Most lease vehicles like someone mentioned come with a required maintenance schedule. I have a friend who leases all her cars,Hondas a new one ever 3 years. They will call her every six months if she hasn't been in for a service. They go by the OLM or 6 months. Her car gets fresh oil every 6 months weather it needs it or not. Generally a leased vehicle is well serviced, especially if the leasing dealer kepts a tight reign on the service, and most do to protect their investment.

 

[KrisZ]

Let's assume that the engine has sludge or has heavy varnish. You will not clean anything, aside from the loose stuff floating around or the soft emulsified sludge, in which case you will see the oil get black on the dipstick very quickly.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Originally Posted By: ruxCYtable
But the car was on a 3-year lease before I bought it and you never know if someone wasn't planning on keeping it beyond 3 years how well they took care of it.


Actually aren't leases supposed to follow the owners manual to a T? Issues in this case are with BMWs extended drains allowed during a lease - those are the ones you don't want to end up with as a second owner.

Your V6 Rav4 should be good to go! And quickly, right? Those guys are peppy!
I don't know. The CarFax only had ONE service entry on it for a battery replacement, same as its history when I registered it on the Toyota owner's website. If it was getting scheduled maintenance from the dealer, it wasn't being reported.

And yes, that V6 is totally overkill in a small SUV. I have to be real gentle on it from a stop, she takes right off.

 

[donnyj08]

Have you looked down the fill hole? This is a decent way to look at the head and see how it looks.