I’ve been watching videos about RAV4s and these new 2024 models are like ‘computers on wheels’—kinda stressing me out! Car Care Nut suggests changing the oil at 1,000 miles to clear out debris from the assembly, like tiny metal shavings. I’ve got a RAV4 XLE Hybrid and I’m almost 70. This could be my last car, so I want to do things right. But I know the dealership’s oil change plan probably won’t cover this. Should I just pay for it myself? Thoughts?
If you bought the car or financed it, go ahead and do it. If it’s a lease and you’re not planning to buy it, I wouldn’t worry about it. Car Care Nut gives solid advice
Flippa said:
If you bought the car or financed it, go ahead and do it. If it’s a lease and you’re not planning to buy it, I wouldn’t worry about it. Car Care Nut gives solid advice
Totally agree with this comment. Well said.
Flippa said:
If you bought the car or financed it, go ahead and do it. If it’s a lease and you’re not planning to buy it, I wouldn’t worry about it. Car Care Nut gives solid advice
I’m doing the oil change early, just to be safe. I paid for a brand-new RAV4, and I want it to last a long time. I’m using full synthetic Mobil One and plan to change it every 6 months.
@Laurel
I use full synthetic too. My old Toyota has been running great with oil changes every 10,000 miles.
Flippa said:
@Laurel
I use full synthetic too. My old Toyota has been running great with oil changes every 10,000 miles.
Yeah, but they don’t build things like they used to. That’s why I’m nervous about my new RAV4. I’ve got a 20-year-old Corolla with 170k miles, but I want to enjoy life a bit, so I finally upgraded. Maybe even a Lexus… but I’m too frugal to pay for premium gas!
@Laurel
I hear you! That’s why I’m holding onto my older cars too. Plus, new and used car prices are just ridiculous right now.
@Laurel
Any decent person won’t care about your car size! What I do appreciate with the new one is the safety features. Around here in Oregon, people drive like stop signs don’t exist! The new tech makes me feel a bit safer, even if my 17-year-old car was simpler.
@Alexander
Honestly, you wouldn’t have gotten much for an old car anyway. Dealerships only offer a few hundred for cars that old.
Laurel said:
@Alexander
Honestly, you wouldn’t have gotten much for an old car anyway. Dealerships only offer a few hundred for cars that old.
True! I sold it to my mechanic for $1,000. He was happy, and so was I!
Flippa said:
If you bought the car or financed it, go ahead and do it. If it’s a lease and you’re not planning to buy it, I wouldn’t worry about it. Car Care Nut gives solid advice
Why not just do it anyway so the next owner benefits from a better-maintained car?
@Gerald
I know people who don’t even bother with oil changes on their leases! Not doing it at 1,000 miles and sticking with 10,000 miles is enough. No need to go the extra mile for a dealer or future owner—no good deed goes unpunished.
There’s no such thing as a synthetic blend for 0w20 or 0w16 oils. Also, don’t cheap out on oil. Doing an oil change properly with the right oil won’t hurt anything. Modern engines are built to high standards and are shipped ready to go, so the ‘break-in’ oil change isn’t really necessary anymore. But hey, an extra oil change doesn’t hurt if it helps you sleep better! Just make sure you’re using 0w16 for your RAV4.
@Marsden
I don’t agree with the ‘break-in’ oil change being a thing of the past.
LillyGrace said:
@Marsden
I don’t agree with the ‘break-in’ oil change being a thing of the past.
I think doing an early change makes sense. Engines do break in during those first few hundred miles, and I’d rather get rid of any metal fragments sooner rather than later.
LillyGrace said:
@Marsden
I don’t agree with the ‘break-in’ oil change being a thing of the past.
That’s just nonsense.
LillyGrace said:
@Marsden
I don’t agree with the ‘break-in’ oil change being a thing of the past.
Engines are run at the factory before they get to assembly. But sure, go ahead and change the oil early if it makes you feel better.
@Marsden
Yeah, but those first few hundred miles still matter. Small metal pieces get knocked off, and I’d rather clean that out at 1,000 miles instead of waiting until 5,000 miles.
@Marsden
Running an engine in the factory for a few minutes isn’t enough. When I run engines on the dyno, I can see them breaking in over many hours.
LillyGrace said:
@Marsden
Running an engine in the factory for a few minutes isn’t enough. When I run engines on the dyno, I can see them breaking in over many hours.
Can you show us some data on that? I’m curious.