My new '05 Corolla LE just surpAssed the 900 mile mark today. At what mileage interval should I have my first oil change? At the first 1,000 miles? I'm used to the "old school" of thought which states that you change the oil at the first 1,000 miles since there's going to be a higher concentration of metal particles and shavings because of the new engine components wearing together.
I talked to a serviceman at my Toyota dealer and he said it really didn't matter if I had it changed this early. He did say that the mileage interval for oil changes on new Corollas is 5,000 miles! I was surprised to hear this. He said Toyota did a study of test vehicles which had oil changes at 3,000 miles, 4,000 miles and 5,000 miles. From the data they collected, they concluded that 5,000 miles should be the recommended interval.
Well, that explains the Mobil sticker in the upper left corner of my windshield (put on by some guy on the line who filled my car with oil at the Toyota Fremont, CA facility) which reads "5,000 miles" for next oil change.
Thanks for your advice. This new Corolla is awesome!