Fluid & Service Questions (longish) (1 Viewer)

[ebod]

Question 1: I got a new 2004 landcruiser about a month ago. According to my owners' manual, it doesn't need to go in for its first service until 5,000 miles. Should I take it in sooner to change out initial "break in" oil? If so, when? Does 1,000 to 1,500 miles sound right?

Question 2: what are people's views (pro and con) on switching to synthetic oil? Our cruiser is used mainly as a daily driver in city traffic, in case that affects your recommendations. If I do switch to synthetic, is there a "procedure" for the proper switch or do I just use syenthetic for the next oil change (which seems like it would lead to a mineral/synthetic mixture until the next change)? What weight/designation of synthetic oil is proper for my truck?

Question 3: should I be thinking about changing out any other fluids (e.g., tranny, differential, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions!

 

[mtycruiser]

1) Even tough newer engines are not supposed to require a "Break In" oil change, it certainly would not hurt 1000-1500 miles sounds about right. Do it at tha dealer.
2)Switching to syntetic can be done at any time. It will help in reducing wear on the engine long term.If it was mine I would change to syntetic on the 2nd oil change @ 5000 miles. to avoid any issues with warranty, use the same weight Toyota recomends 5W-30. Some stealers have syntetic and will change it for you. I usually take my cars (trucks) to the dealer for as long as the factory warranty lasts and have them do whatever is strictly necesary to keep the warranty in place and absolutely nothing else !!
3) Do not mess with any other fluids at least for a while, then go to synthetics all the way

 

[i4c4lo]

I agreee with the 5000 miles then change to synthetic fluids.

All though I am a little confused (since it is what I know - the statement above). Okay some cars, high end cars, recommend Mobil 1 for the car and coming from the factory brand new it has Mobil 1.

So I am not sure why we can't do the same for a brand new truck. Other than the obvious which is for warranty purposes, the manufacturer recommends and puts synthetic oil from the factory and they will deal with the warranty issues as oppose to a new car coming from the factory with regular oil. If we switch to synthetic the manufacturer can argue that we didn't recommend you do that.

I use Redline oil in the diffs and transfer case. Then in the transmission I have Mobil 1 and same for the engine.

 

[mabrodis]

IMO any dealer that sees a switch to full synthetic oil and tries to blame something on that should be avoided at all costs. On my wife's Lexus IS300, it comes with dino oil from the factory, at the first oil change which is free from Lexus (~2000 miles) I put M1 oil in the passenger seat with a note for them to use the M1 I gave them instead of normal dino oil, even though I had to provide the oil. They had no problem with that, the techs I talked to said every new car should come with M1 in it from the factory, but the factories are to cheap to buy expensive oil.

 

[ELLTEE]

The local Toy dealership offers M1. The nearest Lexus dealership does not. The Lexus top mechanic tried to talk me out of M1 -- says the same thing that Cary says on the 80s board: If you always meet or beat the recommended change interval, dino is as good as synth at a cheaper cost.

I just want the flexibility to go a little longer than the interval, in case life gets a little hectic and I can't get around to it right away.

By the way, do a search in Cary's posts for the oil faq sticky. There is a ton of posts, but Cary is the IH8MUD go-to guy on oil and lights.


LT