Toyota recommends waiting 10,000 miles between oil changes. Mechanics warn that’s exactly how engines die

A Toyota salesperson sparked a spirited debate on TikTok after claiming drivers only need to change their oil every 10,000 miles. Mechanics — as you probably guessed — didn’t see it that way and quickly became some of the loudest critics of the claim.

The salesperson is Kaitlin Stambaugh, who posts on TikTok under the username @kaitlinstambaugh. She works in the sales department at Doggett Toyota in Beaumont, Texas. After repeatedly being asked about Toyota’s oil change recommendations, Stambaugh decided to make a video breaking down the manufacturer’s reasoning for why modern Toyotas can go twice as long between oil changes.

Normally, salespeople rank among the least trusted figures in the auto industry. At the same time, Toyota is consistently ranked as one of the most trusted brands. That’s where the tension lies. Sometimes the message is sound, but the messenger complicates how it’s received.

Stambaugh explained that most of the pushback she gets actually comes from Toyota owners — specifically those driving older models. “The shorter answer is that modern engines, modern oil, modern filters — they’re built differently than they were 15 to 20 years ago,” she said. She added that newer engines have tighter internal tolerances, better cooling, improved oil flow, and advanced fuel injection systems, which results in less oil contamination compared to older vehicles.

She also pointed to the type of oil Toyota now uses. According to Stambaugh, full synthetic oil lasts longer, handles heat better, and resists breakdown more effectively than conventional oil. ToyotaCare backs this up, offering two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance and recommending 10,000-mile oil change intervals when using approved full synthetic oil.

Still, the comment section was anything but convinced. One user wrote, “They recommend 10k when Toyota is paying for it. They recommend 5k when I’m paying for it. True story.” A mechanic added, “27 years as an L1 Master tech. DO NOT CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY 10K! We replace more engines today than ever due to lubrication issues.” Another commenter struck a more ominous note: “The damage from long intervals doesn’t show up under warranty. It shows up near the end of the engine’s life. A 5k engine might last 350k–500k miles. A 10k engine might only make it to 200k–250k.”

According to Motor1, two studies compared engines serviced at 5,000-mile intervals versus 10,000-mile intervals. The findings showed chromium particle buildup beginning around 5,600 miles and a sharp decline in oil’s protective qualities after roughly 7,450 miles. However, it’s worth noting that these studies were conducted before modern full synthetic oils became the standard Toyota now recommends.

As is often the case, the truth likely sits somewhere in the middle. If you plan to stretch your oil change intervals, you’d better be sure you’re following the manufacturer’s guidelines to the letter — and understand the long-term trade-offs that might come with it.

Stambaugh later joked about the chaos she sparked, writing, “I just sell the trucks. Y’all can keep arguing about the engines. I’ll keep peacefully drinking coffee while my comment sections turn into cage matches. Carry on, gentlemen.”