[KKM]

I performed my first DIY oil change on the CT at 6200 miles. It's 9 months old so not a lot of miles since I also drive another vehicle several times a week. I was really surprise at how dark the oil was compared to the new oil. The odor from the oil was a fairly strong burnt note as it was draining, I didn't even have to put my nose too close to the oil. I don't drive my car hard at all.

Knowing this, I wish I had changed it 4,000 miles especially being the first oil change after break in. I know they say that the new cars these days with synthetic should be able to go 10k in between oil changes but I think my next change will be at 5k and will go from there. I have a tendency to keep my cars for a very long time so this is cheap insurance.

I would suggest that those who take it in for the 5k free maintenance pay for an oil change or DIY.

BTW, was there suppose to be a gasket on the drain plug? It was fairly dark under there and didn't see one. Do I believe that they always change the filter housing gasket that comes with filter? I doubt that they bother with it, that's why I DIY.

 

[kalo925]

BTW, was there suppose to be a gasket on the drain plug? It was fairly dark under there and didn't see one. \

Yes there is a gasket that is supposed to be changed out, same as the filter cap o-ring. Oops..

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxhookah66]

KKM - I couldn't agree with you more on this subject! I am also strongly opionated that the first oil change should be done at around 5K miles, instead of the recommended 10K. I know the CT engine runs cooler, and being a hybrid the actual ON time is less than a regular vehicle. But without fail, in my all "first oil" changes I found what appears to be "metallized sludge" in the oil. No, I haven't perfomed any oil analysis but by visual inspection of the oil, it was quite obvious that there were metal in the oil. Kudos for you KKM !!!

 

[emejay]

I changed mine at 3K, as I usually do for new cars I buy There were visible, tiny metalic flakes seen in the pleats of the filter, and the drained oil showed same. I don't worry about the flakes big enough to be caught by the filter, it is the tiny bits I don't want. Another reason I changed early was to change the OEM drain plug with a magnetized one...the amount of metalic "paste" you find on that drain plug at the next oil change will get your attention. Those tiny particles making up the "paste" can't be good for bearings. Also, I like to know with certainty which brand and viscosity of oil goes in the car....research on Bobistheoilguy gives the highest accolades to Toyota 0-20 oil, so that is what I use. I would like to think that is what they use at the dealer, but I certainly wouldn't bet my life on it.
If I leased the car or traded it in at 30K miles, I wouldn't waste my time or money, but I keep my cars 200K + miles and frequent oil changes will help me get there. I have changed it twice since the initial change at 3K....once at 10K and then at 17K. Next change I will get an oil analysis and have more information as to the best interval for me.

 

[lostchild]

I would like to see the result of the oil analysis. When I had my Mini, I was reading the forum religiously and everyone who sent their oil in for analysis said that the synthetic oil is good for 10,000 miles + on normal driving. Some people who track their Mini has to change it every 5000 miles. I did the first oil change at 5000 miles on the CT just to be safe. After that I got the 10000 miles and 20000 miles oil change. Also I drive over 500 miles a week, so 10000 miles is only about 4.5 months. I don't feel too bad about changing the oil every 4.5 months.

 

[KKM]

Yes there is a gasket that is supposed to be changed out, same as the filter cap o-ring. Oops..

As it turns out, I had replaced the oil with the wrong viscosity, 0W-30 instead of 20, although it probably would've been fine, I didn't want to take a chance with the higher viscosity especially with winter coming. I was really surprise to see how dark the new oil looked as it was draining, picked up a lot of gunk, kicking myself for not changing my oil earlier.

Anyways, I looked closely this time and saw that there was like a washer or maybe that is the oil drain plug gasket surroung the hole. I could'nt budge it with my fingers, is that the gasket stuck? I'll keep an eye on the garage floor for any leaks.

 

[emejay]

Anyways, I looked closely this time and saw that there was like a washer or maybe that is the oil drain plug gasket surroung the hole. I could'nt budge it with my fingers, is that the gasket stuck? I'll keep an eye on the garage floor for any leaks.

It is the gasket that goes between the oil pan and the oil drain plug. It can get stuck, but easily pried off with a screwdriver. I wouldn't worry much about it, people often reuse the gasket several times with no problem, but if you see a dribble, this would be my first suspect.

 

[ca94123]

I am in the Bay Area.
After reading this thread, I plan to bring my oil to the dealer at 5k service.
Is Mobile1 0-20W good? Or do you have other recommendations?

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxhookah66]

The 5K oil change in the maintenance display is a misnomer according to my dealer. They would NOT do the oil & filter change at 5K. Mobil 1 Sythentic API Service designation with viscosity SN 0W-20 is one of the better sythentic oils, readily available at discounted stores such as Walmart. 0W-20 is the oil that Toyota/Honda generally uses for their engines. Mobil 1, API service designation SN is good for 10K miles or 12 months. If you are looking for long life oil, BMW recommends Mobil 1, Sythentic 0W-40 with European service designation LL04 which is far more stringent than API service designation SN; but their service interval is 25K or two years. Similar sythentic oils are available from MB/Audi. To counter the endemic problems of owners changing the oil prematurely, BMW has eliminated dip stick in ther engines since 2009; so the owners won't change oil just because it is brown. After 24 months/25K miles, the engine oil from my BMW came out as black and thick as tar. So I stopped following the BMW condition based service recommendations.

I don't see any issues to use any brand sythentic oil with viscosity 0W-20 provided it got API service designation SN or better in your CT if you change oil at around 5K miles intervals.

 

[jennypenny]

in singapore, the first oil change is at 1000km. second is 10k.


i noticed at 10k, the oil still looks rather good. clear oil color and no weird smells [i know, its not the most scientific way to judge (= ]


Lexus would void my warranty if i try to extend it till 16000km (10000miles). so i have no choice but to follow.

 

[KKM]

in singapore, the first oil change is at 1000km. second is 10k.


i noticed at 10k, the oil still looks rather good. clear oil color and no weird smells [i know, its not the most scientific way to judge (= ]


Lexus would void my warranty if i try to extend it till 16000km (10000miles). so i have no choice but to follow.

1000km? That's 621 miles for the first oil change? Wonder why the big difference with US at 10,000 miles for the first change. Also surprise that your oil is somewhat clear at 10k km. My first change. as indicated at about that same mileage, was soy sauce dark in color and the smell permeated, once you get a whiff it kinda lingers in your lungs, sorta like following a beater billowing acrid smoke.

 

[emejay]

I plan to bring my oil to the dealer at 5k service.
Is Mobile1 0-20W good? Or do you have other recommendations?

Mobil 1 is fine oil, but you might do a little research at bobistheoilguy.com to better educate yourself. The Toyota 0-20 gets the highest reviews. Personally, I would let the dealer provide the oil as it is free! you might get a little resistance from them insisting the first change is not until 10K, but just acknowledge you are aware and tell them you want your car to last at least 200K miles.

 

[jennypenny]

1000km? That's 621 miles for the first oil change? Wonder why the big difference with US at 10,000 miles for the first change. Also surprise that your oil is somewhat clear at 10k km. My first change. as indicated at about that same mileage, was soy sauce dark in color and the smell permeated, once you get a whiff it kinda lingers in your lungs, sorta like following a beater billowing acrid smoke.

do you drive your car hard? or drive in extreme temperatures? in singapore its around 30 degrees celcius daily.
i was surprised too, to see such clean oil. clean oil, dirty engine? or dirty oil, clean engine?

i drive at moderate pace. and rarely rev more than 5k.

 

[KKM]

I live in the San Francisco Bay area so the temperature is very moderate and ideal year round.
I don't drive it hard at all, been averaging about 46 mpg and try to keep it in the eco zone, haven't been using sport mode much.
A bit of a mystery regarding the difference, anyone else with observations?

 

[jennypenny]

yea, i think this would be an interesting find. whenever i serviced my CT, the oil seem to have at least another 5000km or so. its just "way" to clean to throw away.

 

[prosperity]

I can't see any mechanical problem if you change motor oil as regularly as you like. As for BMW, there was a big upset in Australia a few years ago. A batch of faulty oil was released from a refinery but all was well as long as it was changed at normal intervals. A number of BMW's, however, were caught out by their practice of extended service intervals. A rack of almost new BMW six and eight cylinder engines were sent back to the Fatherland for detailed inspection when the engines were totally ruined after the engine oil turned into sludge. Meanwhile, Lexus wasted no time in sending out a letter suggesting (gloating?) that their engineering recommendations for oil changes were a better idea.

 

[lostchild]

I can't see any mechanical problem if you change motor oil as regularly as you like. As for BMW, there was a big upset in Australia a few years ago. A batch of faulty oil was released from a refinery but all was well as long as it was changed at normal intervals. A number of BMW's, however, were caught out by their practice of extended service intervals. A rack of almost new BMW six and eight cylinder engines were sent back to the Fatherland for detailed inspection when the engines were totally ruined after the engine oil turned into sludge. Meanwhile, Lexus wasted no time in sending out a letter suggesting (gloating?) that their engineering recommendations for oil changes were a better idea.

My wife's BMW's and my Mini Copper's recommended oil change is based on the on-board computer analyzing your driving habit! When 10,000 miles came around, the light was still not on. When 15,000 miles came around, the light was still not on. According to the forums, unless you drive your car really hard, it doesn't come on until 16,000 to 18,000 miles! Many people said they sent in their oil sample to test and it started to go bad at around 15,000 miles. So I decided to change them at 10,000 miles... which happened to be the same interval as Lexus'