Hey guys, i have a 2021 rav4. It has 4k miles. I went to the Toyota dealership today to replace my oil but they said I don't need to replace the oil since its a new car. I thought I had to change the oil every 5k miles (synthetic oil). The only things they did was, they added little more oil and told me to replace the oil around 10k miles. They said first oil change is around 10k miles and then change is needed every 5k miles
Just want to know how accurate that is. Should I listen to them or change the oil somewhere else. Thank everyone!
Don't listen to them if you want that vehicle to last, change oil and filter no more than every 5000 to 6000 miles. If the dealer won't do it, do it yourself or find a good local mechanic to do it for you. (Stay away from chain shops and quick lube joints.)
Scotty says, "Oil is cheap, engines are expensive." The dealer only worries about getting the car to last long enough for the warranty to expire. You probably want it to last longer than that.
I would change the oil/filter at the first 5,000 miles (or once a year whichever comes first), and every 5,000 miles/once a year thereafter.
I never bring my car to the dealership for anything. I have a local mechanic shop I trust and I brought my brand new 2015 Fusion to him for its first oil change. Im doing the same for my new 2021 Camry.
I was wondering if the interval is 5 months or 5000 miles, whichever comes first. Some of us don't drive 5000 miles a year let alone every 5 months. Or we have multiple vehicles that might do 2000 miles per vehicle per year.
It’s usually every 12 months or 5000 miles, under normal driving conditions. <6 months is overkill unless your usage falls under harsh driving conditions.
Try practicing listening to the car and get a feel of the acceleration after a new oil change. That will determine the interval.
You didnt mentioned if your new car is a new car or a new 2nd hand car. If it is a new 2nd hand car, I will change everything I can change after purchase.
Example:
Driving behind a truck smoking heavy black fumes for a 30 mins drive. I will change my air filter immediately
Driving in a hazy air due to forest fire for 1 week. I will change my air filter immediately after the fire is gone.
Hash acceleration every day to work for 30 mins drive. Might want to change engine oil every 4 months.
Normal driving to work for 40 mins. Might want to change engine oil every 5 months.
Small engine like Yaris. Might want to change engine oil every 4 months.
Car sitting in the garage for 3 days a week. Might change the engine oil every 7 months.
