I have always changed my oil with 0W-20 (usually Mobil 1 but occasionally Toyota ENEOS brand) whenever the maintenance required light comes on. It came on this week. I took my car in today for an oil change, but the person in the Express Oil change dept told me that since I used synthetic 0W-20 last time, I didn't need an oil change until 7,500 miles passed. My last change was at 49,083 miles and the car is now at 54,130 miles. So she claims I still have about 2,000 miles I can drive before an oil change. She had the mechanic turn off the Maintenance Required light, put a new maintenance sticker on the windshield, and sent me packing.

I think it would be great if I really can go 7,500 miles, but how come no other service rep has told me this? And why is this not in the car manual?

I do not check my oil dipstick between oil changes, either. So even if I can go 7,500 miles each oil change, do I need to do top it off at least?

Thanks!

 

Sounds right to me. Many new vehicles go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes with full synthetic or semi synthetic oils. You should check the oil level at 4,000 miles and 6,000 miles and add a quart if it shows a quart low on the dipstick.

 

Toyota recently began telling dealers that most of their cars can use 7,500 mile intervals for oil changes. The new Prius owners have been notified that they can extend to 10,000 mile intervals if they are using 0w-20 synthetic oil.

Toyota has not released a TSB that I know of at this time to the public but I would be willing to bet it will be out soon revising the service intervals for owners using synthetic oil.

 

Our '01 Porsche C4 came with 15,000 mile oil/filter change interval recommendation.

 

what year is your Toyota Camry hybrid?

 

I'd stick to the recommended interval, regardless of oil type. Also, you should check your own oil level periodically, say twice a month or so.

 

I personally never come close to the mileage limit so I just change oil on the 12 month interval required for my warranty. Make sure your not exceeding the "age" issue while extending the oil change to 7500 or what ever.

 

I thought the Toyota-required time limit was 6 months.

 

I don't know what Toyota has for months as a limit. Just wanted to point out that time could happen before miles depending upon driving habits. My HAH is 12 months or the oil life indicator which ever comes first. In my case it gets changed at 12 months & about 50% oil life. (Likely a waste of good oil.)

 

It is a 2007. Also, this may just be just psychological, but after the Maintenance Required light comes on, my car always feels more sluggish to me. I will check my oil level and add if needed.