How often should I have the oil changed on an '02 Solara?

[PlayaDelReyDave]

I've been doing it at 3,000 and the Solara runs great. Just wondering if this is necessary or if I can stretch it out. I don't do the change myself. How often do you Solara owners change your oil?

[krawzyazn]

I've been doing it at 3,000 and the Solara runs great. Just wondering if this is necessary or if I can stretch it out. I don't do the change myself. How often do you Solara owners change your oil?

5-7500 dealerships do it ever 5k miles

[Jakecallun20]

I change mine myself, with Castrol Syntec 5W-30 and Mobil One oil filter every 5000 miles.

[Midias]

3k and no problems with sludge at 160k miles.

[PlayaDelReyDave]

What is, "5-7500 dealerships do it ever 5k miles?"

That is, what's the '5-7500?'

[campfire9]

I change my oil myself and change it every 2000 miles. To me its the cheapest thing I can do to keep the engine clean and extend the life of the car. I use 5-30 and toyota filters.

[krawzyazn]

5K-7500K miles the manual says 7500 miles dealers change it at 5k

[Sentinel]

I used to do 3k with conventional, but after sludge at 155k I now use full synthetic, every 5k.

[Jon11582]

5K-7500K miles the manual says 7500 miles dealers change it at 5k

You mean 5K to 7.5K. I hope!

Used to run Mobil 1 and changed every 3.5K.
Gotten lazy lately, so now I run Mobil 1 EP. Bottle says good for 15K, I change every 6K to 7.5K.

Which engine you got? I know the V6 is notorious for sludge. Not sure about the 4cyl though. Probably more sludge-proof since it was new for '02.

[woa_its_j3ff]

I change mine at every 2500 miles.

[Gadgetjq]

How often do you Solara owners change your oil?

Dave,

Oil changes are dictated by the kind of driving you do more than anything else.

If you make a lot of short trips where the engine doesn't get fully warmed up (I don't mean what the temp gauge reads) so contaminants can be burned off then changes every 3000 miles are definitely a good idea. This is the kind of driving that causes sludge buildup.

If most of your driving is highway, not much stop and go then 5000 is fine (and is actually Toyota's recommendation for the Gen II V-6).

As you've been reading there's also a big difference between conventional and synthetic motor oils. Amsoil, for example, says it's product is good for up to 35,000 miles in 'normal' service (highway/city mix) or one year whichever comes first.

That brings up another issue. It isn't just mileage, there's a 'time' factor. All sorts of terrible things build up in oil including some pretty serious acids. Allowed to just sit they'll eventually cause pitting of important things like rings, cylinder walls and bearings so even if you don't drive much, most oils should be changed at least every six months (all due respect to Amsoils claim).

Cheers

[onefiend]

I change mine at every 2500 miles.

what a waste of money

[DrLove]

That's the first time I hear about "sludge". I wrote it on Google and it link to WIkipedia, and WIkipedia say that Camry Solars had Sludge problem.. doh!!

I did my oil change every 3 or 3.5K since I bought the car. I put regular 5W30 oil. Next time Im gonna put synthetic, since I read that it's a good way to prevent sludge. When I open my oil cap I can see some deposit, but I read that it's "normal" and not a sign of sludge problem.

[Dawgz]

I change mine at every 2500 miles.

haha

[PTSOLARA]

5000 miles everytime. I have over 182,000 miles now and i just replaced my timing belt/water pump/seals/2 other belts. I will hit 200K by this year.

No sludge yet (i should say how do i know if i have it?).