02 Camry has 104K miles; should I switch engine oil?

I saw an ad where someone suggested changing engine oils after 75,000 miles. My 2002 Toyota Camry (2.4L V4) has 104,953 miles on it. So far I've been using the standard 10W30 oil. I get it changed about every 3,000 miles to 3,500 miles (Because I put a lot of road miles on it, sometimes I let it get a few hundred miles over the 3,000 mark). The engine has been running like it should; I can see no reason to change engine oils. Would anyone on here recommend it? (Also, is it alright that I let it get 3,500 miles between oil changes, or do I need to do it right after 3,000?) Thanks. :)

Your oil change intervals are fine. That 75,000 mile ad you saw is just that IMHO, an ad meant to increase the profitability of the oil manufacturers. Their "high mileage" oils cost a bit more than their conventional oils. They supposedly contain additives that are intended to help the seals keep oil leaks from happening. If you are not consuming any oil between oil changes, I would also continue to use the oil viscosity you are using, although I would check your owner's manaul or the oil cap itself for the recommended viscosity for your engine. I would suspect 5W-30 would be the recommended oil, although I am not certain of that. Later generation 2.4 liter 2AZ engines recommend 5W-20 or 0W-20.

Mike

I'll second everything Mike has to say. Just want to add you don't have to be concerned with fudging a few hundred miles on oil changes, especially since you're changing it at 3k miles and on top that, it's mainly "road miles". Stop and go city traffic is what is hard on oil. Recent reports have come out stating conventional oils can readilly handle 7.5K miles between changes. Consumer Reports came out and said the same 20 years ago. I have always thought the 3K mile oil change edict was suspect. I've changed mine every 5K miles for decades with zero engine problems. I've known people that put 100k miles on cars and never changed their oil. I'm certainly not recommending that but it's one example of the abuse engines can take and still keep you on the road.

BTW - My 94 4 cyl has 240K miles on it. It started leaking oil about 15k miles ago. I've been using the "high mileage" oil designed to prevent leaks the last few changes and it's still leaking. So much for those "wonder additives".

Your doing a good job with oil change's, but I would go 4kmiles before change.
Check oil after oil change for shortage.

Don't forget the Air filter, and fuel filters.

Its better that you switch the oil before the time it reaches its required mileage.I will suggest you that you don't take any risk.

It can't hurt you and it might help. You'll just never know definitively. I've run Valvoline MaxLife in my '92 Camry for years, almost since the oil has been on the market. I didn't have any oil leaks until about 180k miles, then it was the camshaft oil seal...changed them all since they were brittle anyways. I'm chasing another oil leak now which I think is the valve cover (another common leak for this Gen).

Did the MaxLife delay the onset of leaks? I can't say. Would regular oil do the same? Can't say that either. Unless someone else can chime in with their experience, I have only one perspective...no oil will prevent leaks indefinitely. An engine gets hot, and heat ages rubber of all types. Seals/gaskets WILL grow old and become embrittled, it's just a matter of when.

Since your car has a timing chain, periodic replacement of a timing belt is unnecessary. So, replacing the cam, crank, and oil pump seals on your car may be more daunting. But a leak here won't be as harrowing on a chain as it would be for a belt. Hate to sound wishy-washy on the subject, but for me, running the high-mileage oil is and has been at the least peace of mind.

Mine (92K) uses 5W-30, and is changed at 6-7K.
The manual and the oil filler cap expressly state 5W-30.
While I'd be loony to argue with 104K, You might get better mileage and certainly better cold weather starting with the 5W.

I saw an ad where someone suggested changing engine oils after 75,000 miles. My 2002 Toyota Camry (2.4L V4) has 104,953 miles on it. So far I've been using the standard 10W30 oil. I get it changed about every 3,000 miles to 3,500 miles (Because I put a lot of road miles on it, sometimes I let it get a few hundred miles over the 3,000 mark). The engine has been running like it should; I can see no reason to change engine oils. Would anyone on here recommend it? (Also, is it alright that I let it get 3,500 miles between oil changes, or do I need to do it right after 3,000?) Thanks. :)

Stick with the regular oil. The only things I would consider is a) switching to 5W-30 and b) extending your oil changes to at least 5,000 miles.

Good luck