A little help from my friends
 

my wife brought a new 6 cylinder camry. i went to check out camry forums and was sorely disappointed. this site has spoiled me. question is about how long to wait before i do the first oil change. i was going to go to synthetic. she has about 400 miles on it but it going to drive from Oklahoma city to santa Fe. also the oil filter is a real pain as it is in a canister. so help with the oil change or referral to a good camry site.

Traditionally the first oil change is done around 1000 miles. There are folks here who advocate changing oil immediately. With 400 miles on the car and a long trip coming up, you could change it now.

BUT - check the owner's manual to see if it says anything about the first change. These days some cars come with special break-in additives in the oil. Don't know if the Camry is one, but when you have that you don't want to drop the original oil sooner than they say.

Changing the filter on a V-6 Camry is a bitch. On my wife's '94, it's under the exhaust manifold, but has to be reached from above. Upside down, too, so a mess is guaranteed.

BTW - I enjoyed your other post about whipping that service department into shape. My brother had a great technique. Whenever he had a problem with a service department, somehow he'd move the scene onto the sales floor.

Ken

thank you
 

i am going to the dealer this morning an will asked it there is special break in oil.

Royal Purple Break-in Oil is formulated to allow optimal ring seal and protect rotating assembly components such as the camshaft and valve train from initial start up wear. Royal Purple combines highly refined mineral oil, preferred for engine break-in, with advanced additives containing high levels of zinc and phosphorus to optimize protection in flat-tappet and roller engines.

Royal Purple Break-in Oil is fully formulated and does not require the use of any other chemical additives. Royal Purple recommends using their high performance motor oils after the engine is broken in for maximum engine performance.

try www.toyotanation.com pretty decent forum