2002 Toyota Tacoma Oil Change

JCKINNICK

MEMBER
2002 TOYOTA TACOMA
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

The last time I had an oil change was in early December of 2009, since then I have drove my care once a week for the last 6 months. Should I go by the mileage or the month date on the oil change sticker? The month date says February but the mileage is still good. Can the oil go bad?

Usually I get an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles but I have been out of work since December of 2009.

3 Replies

JIM SHIRRON

MECHANIC
77 POSTS

Your oil doesn't necessarily go bad, it just gets dirty. I try to change my oil & filter every 3000 miles, but sometimes it's 6000 before I get it done. Keep your oil on full on the dipstick, and good luck finding a job.

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Saturday, June 26th, 2010 AT 4:56 AM

JCKINNICK

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I did put some STP Oil Treatment in it about a month ago if that helped anything? So would it be dirty since its been drivn only once a week for 6 months?

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Saturday, June 26th, 2010 AT 6:51 AM

JIM SHIRRON

MECHANIC
77 POSTS

I might be wrong, but I've always believed oil treatments neither helped nor hurt anything. I've also always believed that mileage, not time, was the key to good oil change policy. I'm sure that the way a car is driven has something to do with it, too. All things considered, do what you can, when you can. Note: I've had 4 vehicles with over 250,000 miles on them .

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Sunday, June 27th, 2010 AT 6:33 AM