I just purchased a new 2009 Toyota RAV4 with a 2GR-FE V-6 engine this week. It currently has about 100 miles on the ODO. The total sump capacity is probably around 7 quarts, with 6.4 quarts changed out every OCI. I would like to make this an ARX vehicle from start to finish.
When do you recommend that I start using ARX, and what dose should I give it? I'm tempted to start right now, but I don't want to interfere with the rings seating properly for a proper break-in.
My guess is that you will be doing an initial 500-1000 mile original OCI. I would consider starting the maintenance dose on the following oil change. New tight motors by nature have a lot of hot spots during the break in process. A good example is rings mating to cylinder walls. Oil gets subjected to very high frictional heat sources, possibly leaving deposits.
The maintenance dose will in no way interfere with optimal break in, typically enhance it.
My guess is that you will be doing an initial 500-1000 mile original OCI. I would consider starting the maintenance dose on the following oil change. New tight motors by nature have a lot of hot spots during the break in process. A good example is rings mating to cylinder walls. Oil gets subjected to very high frictional heat sources, possibly leaving deposits.
The maintenance dose will in no way interfere with optimal break in, typically enhance it.
I would definetly go with what Richone has said and start the Maintenance Dose on your next oil change.
My plan right now is to change the OEM oil and filter around 2000 miles, then change them again at 5K miles (3K OCI). Then I'll just get on a 5K OCI schedule as recommended by Toyota. I looked in the FAQ and the application section for maintenance dose, but don't see anything for a new car. If I don't hear anything from Frank on when to add the ARX or how much to use, I'll just start with 3ozs. when I change the oil and filter at 5000 miles.
My plan right now is to change the OEM oil and filter around 2000 miles, then change them again at 5K miles (3K OCI). Then I'll just get on a 5K OCI schedule as recommended by Toyota. I looked in the FAQ and the application section for maintenance dose, but don't see anything for a new car. If I don't hear anything from Frank on when to add the ARX or how much to use, I'll just start with 3ozs. when I change the oil and filter at 5000 miles.
The reason you do not see your question in the FAQ section is that most people use this product after they have had the car a while.
You may be 1 of the 1st people to do this on a new vehicle, I started doing a Maintenance Dose on a vehicle that I bought with 10,000 miles on it.
I would say a well maintained car 25,000 miles or under to be a candidate for below application.
If your using a synthetic oil (high mileage-semi synthetic) I like 4 ounces with each OCI. You can safely extend your OCI a minimum of 25 % with this program.
If your using Group !!! than 3 ounces with each OCI is fine. Again you can safely extend your OCI a minimum of 25 %. with this program.
I changed the OEM oil and filter yesterday at 516 miles with 6.4 quarts of Valvoline Premium conventional 5W-30 and added 3 ozs. of ARX. I plan to repeat this again at 2K miles and then 5K miles. The Toyota recommended OCI is 5K/6mos, so that's what I'll do after the 5K mile mark. At some point (10-15K?), I'll have Dyson Analysis take a look.
A friend of mine bought a brand new Toyota FJ Cruiser, and inquired about Auto Rx. I had him start on the maintenance dose (3 oz) as soon as he drained the factory fill. After continuing to see reports of sludge problems in the Tacoma (same motor), I am recommending that he switch to a 4 oz dose just to be safe. By the way, this is in addition to Mobil 1 5w 30 (he's afraid of the 0w 30) and a Mobil 1 filter.
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2001 Ford Ranger, 4.0 V6. Mobil 1 0w-30, Motorcraft FL 820s filter, 3oz Auto Rx
Excellent, I had the same question regarding my 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid. Since the maintenance dose doesn't interfere with the seating of the rings in the cylinder (or any other part of the break-in process), I went ahead and added 3 oz to the factory fill at 600 miles. Honda doesn't recommend changing the factory fill until 5,000 miles. Hope that's OK?
Auto-Rx worked great on my "Sludge Monster" 1997 Toyota Camry V-6. I went through two cleaning cycles at 100,000 miles. Then I used Red Line 5W30 with the maintenance dose. At 200,000 miles I had the valves adjusted. The mechanic said the inside of the engine was just as clean and unworn as an engine with 20,000 miles. It pulls like a new engine. Yes, the Red Line oil kept the engine clean, but the Auto-Rx did the very heavy initial cleaning.
When I changed the oil in my RAV4 at 600 miles, the canister oil filter element looked brand new with no dirt or grit inside the pleats. When I changed it again at 2000 miles (1400 miles later), the filter was very dark in color and there was some dirt and grit in the pleats. I'll be changing the oil and filter again at 5000 miles in a couple of days. I'll let you know what I find.
I've been using Valvoline Premium 5W-30 (conventional) with 3 oz maintenance dose since 600 miles. My next OCI will be 5K miles or 6 months using Valvoline until I do a UOA on this vehicle.
Wow, that's strange that the second oil change was dirtier than the first. The better cleaning must have been either the 3 oz maintenance dose or else the additives in the Valvoline.
I seriously doubt the additives in the valvoline. By the same token valvoline is generally real clear in apperance right out of the bottle. It onlyt takes a slight amount of carbon or dark material to make valviline oil look black.
Actually, the oil (especially on the dipstick) looked very clean still. The Valvoline is very light in color and very hard to read on the dipstick until you get some miles on it, even with the 3 ozs of ARX. The filter is were you notice the difference in how the oil is cleaning the engine, even in a brand new engine. It was very surprising to me when I saw the filter. I'm glad I decided to start this vehicle right off with ARX.
