Add new comment

Should you change the oil in your new Toyota Tacoma every 10,000 miles like, Toyota recommends?

Toyota recommends that new fourth-generation Tacoma owners change the engine oil every 10,000 miles, but not all owners agree. As I delved into the 4th Gen 2024+ Toyota Tacoma Facebook Owners page, I stumbled upon this intriguing post by Joe Carter, a proud owner of a 2024 Tacoma. It ignited a heated debate over oil change intervals on the new Tacoma, making the discussion even more compelling.

Joe says, "I'm getting my free oil change with Toyota at 1,100 miles for peace of mind and to take care of this beautiful engine. Break in contaminants are real, but peace of mind is more real."

So, Joe barely had 1,000 miles on his pickup before he went to the dealer for his first oil change. After another 4,000 miles, he took his 2024 Tacoma in for his second oil change. His third oil change was at 10,300 miles, for an average of 3,500 miles between oil changes. 

Is This Overkill?  

He says, "My second oil change was at 5,000 miles. Now, I'm getting my oil changed at 10,300 miles; this is my third oil change since I bought the truck. I'm not messing around. You need to protect those turbos. This Tacoma will last the test of time."

It's as if Joe is speaking directly to us: "I change the oil in my 2024 Tacoma every 3,500 miles. I don't really care that Toyota says I should wait and change it every 10,000 miles. I want my truck to last." 

Joe Loves His New Tacoma

Joe continues, "The Lord showed me a long time ago that when we take care of the blessings He bestows upon us (spiritual and material), it's indicative of our degree of gratitude towards Him….and…. here's the beauty of it, He will entrust you with more!"

What are Other Tacoma Owners Saying?

Paul Biondi: I do mine at roughly 3700 intervals and don't care what anyone else says. Turbos need clean oil, and it's cheap to do it yourself. If it weren't for the cover, we would need to remove it. I would do it in 15 minutes.

Jeff Young - I did my first at 4000 km, then 10,000 km. I plan to do every 10,000km, which is 6000 miles.

Aries Cruz - Mine is almost 10k; this will be my first oil change.

Owen Watts: I'm a service advisor at Toyota. The engine is rated for 10k miles between oil changes and full synthetic. You can do what you wish, but this is simply a waste of money.

A Reddit user says, I used to machine and build engines for a very reputable shop and was good at my job. What I do for myself is based on these experiences and knowledge.

I change my oil every 5k with full synthetic. I have a 2022 V6. Toyota recommendeds 10k. 

The 2 main reasons you change your oil are so it doesn't break down and to keep the inside of your engine CLEAN. Your oil picks up the shit that's in your engine. The dirtier it is, the more I wears out your bearings and journals in the engine. Oil filters do not pick up all of that debree. They're not perfect. The more frequently you change the filter and oil, the cleaner your engine is and the less these components wear.

What Does Toyota Say about the 4th-gen Tacoma engine oil change interval?

Toyota says the 2024-2025 Toyota Tacoma, which requires 0w-20 synthetic oil, has been approved for extended oil change intervals of 10,000 miles/12 months. (However, you should continue to check the oil level regularly and top it off if needed. This will help your engine get the full benefit of synthetic oil.)

What type of oil is recommended?

The Tacoma runs best on synthetic oil, calling for SAE 0W-20 or SW 5W-20. Toyota says if 0W-20 is unavailable, 5W-20 may be used, but it must be replaced with 0W-20 at the following oil change. 

Are there any exceptions to the recommended 10,000-mile oil change interval?

Toyota says that if the vehicle's operation meets the standard criteria for "Special Operating Conditions," such as driving off-road, on dirt roads, towing a trailer, making repeated short trips under 32 degrees F, or extensive idling, the engine oil must be replaced at 5,000-mile intervals, regardless of the type of oil used.

Even if the vehicle uses 0W-20 synthetic oil, the traditional 5,000-mile maintenance procedures should still be performed.

Other Toyota Tacoma 10,000 maintenance procedures.

The Tacoma's 10,000-mile service also includes: 

• Inspecting and potentially replacing the cabin air filter
• Inspecting the truck's brake drums and linings

Final Thoughts and Questions For Tacoma Owners

Many Tacoma owners fall into the Special Operating Conditions category unless they live in a warm climate, drive for longer distances with minimal stop-and-go traffic, and do very little city driving. 

Even if you don't pull a trailer, drive on dirt roads, or go off-road, changing it every 5,000 miles is a good idea. It's a small price to pay for the long-term health of your engine. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your Toyota Tacoma, which you've invested $40,000 to $50,000 in, in top shape. 

Oil changes are cheap compared with replacing a new engine. 

It's Your Turn

How often do you change the oil in your Toyota Tacoma? Please let us know by clicking the red Add New Comment link below.

Check out my Toyota Tacoma report titled; I Didn't Think My 2024 Toyota Tacoma Off Road Would Lose So Much Value After Just One Year, the Dealer Only Offered Me $38,000 Trade-In

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Joe Carter