Oil Change

well.... i used the 5 dollar oil filter because my uncle is whack. and mobile 1 oil. but i will try royal purple next time. with the royal purple filter.

until toyota started using/stocking 0-20 i was using amsoil. i use the toyota synthetic since i get free oil changes. the jetta comes with free oil changes and will likely use the dealer for those services since they don't over charge for oil changes.

Depends on how you drive, what your budget is, what the engine is doing.

Recommended viscosity is a 5w-30 - I usually run a 5w-30 or 0w-30 motor oil, in the 2002 Corolla, preferring to stick with synthetic when possible. Oil filters - Toyota OEM, Mobil 1, Purolator PURE ONE, WIX/NAPA Gold, K&N, and Denso filters are ones that I've used over its lifetime so far.

I also run an extended oil change interval - as I drive mostly highway, run a taller filter, and back it up with periodic UOA from Blackstone labs. Usually averaging about 7500-8000 miles between changes. No makeup oil needed between oil changes, car doesn't consume any oil. Little more that 185K on the car. If I have to, I can push the oil out to 10K-12K miles, have UOAs to back up those oils - so I know I'm still protected. Even conventional motor oils now can run 5K miles on a change, no sweat. Quality and chemistry is more tightly controlled, current conventional motor oil can probably give some synthetics a run for the money.

On the 2009 Matrix - I stick with the recommended 5w-20 viscosity. Ran a 0w-20 this wintertime, just for grins, no significant difference than the 5w-20 previous to it - fuel economy wise. Same deal here - synthetic motor oil, same filters (luckily, the 2.4L engine uses the same, spin-on filters as my previous 2003 Matrix XRS - which also fit the 2002 Corolla - only have to buy one kind of filter). That sees oil changes at 5K miles, as it sees a lot more city driving than my Corolla.

Hey fishexpo, How many months do you go between oil changes?
Im only asking because I run synthetic and I haven't changed the oil in almost 8 months. I've barely driven 2500 miles in that time span. I do drive every day though.

Used Oil Analysis

i won't drive a full 10k miles for the oil change in the 4Runner, so I change once a year. without getting the oil analyzed you won't know for sure if the oil needs to be changed. i would do a filter change every 6 if you get the oil analyzed and it shows it's still good.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php

I change my oil every 3k just to be safe. I dont need my car crapping out on me so thats how I stay safe. and I run valvoline high milage (red can). 5w-30 is my favorite viscosity.

personally? i run either valvoline mobile 1 or castrol synthetic in a 5w-30. i love the valvoline a lot, tends to last awhile and also my oil pressure dosent seem to spike toooo crazy and warms up nicely. Generally tho i use castrol synthetic because my engine seems to love that alittle more even tho it tends to turn bad alittle faster then the others.

really tho as long as you grab a synthetic you should be good i would assume.

i just put some 10w 30 with some stp (stop oil burning) and that shit is wayyyy to thick. my car almost seems a bit boggy. 5w 30 is the way to go.

I just run what 5W30 synthetic w/filter is on sale at the local part store. Extended during the winter 6K-7K, because I don't want to crawl under the car in the snow. During warmer months about 3K-5K whenever I have a free weekend.

Used to run Castrol 5w-30 high mileage and change every 3k. Now I use Amsoil 5w-30 full synthetic and an Amsoil high efficiency filter and change every 15k.

No, this is my first go round with synthetic. I have thought about asking Amsoil to send me a kit. The oil is supposed to be good for 20k-25k but the filter is only rated at 15k. The oil on the dipstick is still a gold color. I'll probably order a kit soon.. Im around 6k on this oil now.

I'll get the analysis done. As long as it's still good, no sense in wasting money.

oil change? my dad corolla is next...going later to the dealership and buying 5 quarts and oil filter

I ordered an analysis kit today. I'll let yall know what it says, like I said I have about 6k on this oil so far

knowing stocktons roads i might get a flat tire