Camry oil preferences/opinions?

[GabeGallear]

I have a 94 Camry V6 XLE with 258k miles. Runs like a brand new car. (Of course, it's a Toyota.) I've owned it since Oct. 2010 when it had 250k.

I drive about half highway and half city, and usually put about 1200 miles a month on the odometer. I'm an average to conservative driver, try not to strain the engine or transmission unless absolutely necessary. I live in Oklahoma City, where temperatures and humidities can vary from 10 degrees fahrenheit with 10% humidity in the winter to 100 degrees fahrenheit and nearly 100% humidity in the summer.

As of right now, the Camry leaks no oil. (Knock on wood!) Just bought some O'Reillys house brand oil for an oil change. I've been considering switching to synthetic for the improved engine preservation properties and the prolonged oil change interval, but I've heard some horror stories about switching in high mileage engines.

Thoughts/opinions? Maybe I should start with a synthetic blend and see if any problems develop? Or any highly recommended mineral oils for this engine?Any Camry owners' opinions greatly appreciated!

 

[Bill in Utah]

I'd suggest any conventional API rated SM/SN 5w30 and change it every 4 months (which is 5000 miles) and get on with it. There will not be ANY engine "life" extended using Syn. Your temps are normal (the temps are not that extreme IMO)

Take care, Bill

PS:

 

[mjk]

I have a 1996 v6 Camry with 153k. Honestly, I'm sure you could go in a variety of directions. Not sure why at this stage you'd convert to Synthetic when there are so many good conventionals out there excellent 5k + used oil analysis.

Mobil Super 5000 - 12.00 at Walmart

Formula Shell - 1.68/bottle at Menards.

2 good choices to start out with. I am at the end of a Mobil Super 5000 Oil change, and it seems to be doing very well.

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: GabeGallear
I have a 94 Camry V6 XLE with 258k miles. Runs like a brand new car. (Of course, it's a Toyota.)


Call me when you hit 436,000 miles. Then you can say it runs almost as well as a Plymouth. Specifically my 1973.

Quote:
I drive about half highway and half city, and usually put about 1200 miles a month on the odometer. I'm an average to conservative driver, try not to strain the engine or transmission unless absolutely necessary. I live in Oklahoma City, where temperatures and humidities can vary from 10 degrees fahrenheit with 10% humidity in the winter to 100 degrees fahrenheit and nearly 100% humidity in the summer.

As of right now, the Camry leaks no oil. (Knock on wood!) Just bought some O'Reillys house brand oil for an oil change. I've been considering switching to synthetic for the improved engine preservation properties and the prolonged oil change interval, but I've heard some horror stories about switching in high mileage engines.



Horror stories about switching at high mileage are just that. Stories. I switched the above-mentioned Plymouth (318 v8) to synthetic at somewhere on the high side of 300,000 miles, and it didn't turn into a wicker basket of leaks.

That said, your mileage and driving mix is about as easy as it comes on oil, short of 100% highway. Anything you want to use in the recommended grade should do well, as long as its a quality product. If that were my car, I'd probably use either Valvoline MaxLife, Mobil Clean 5000, or Pennzoil conventional.

 

[synthetic_crazy]

Pennzoil conventional would work well in your application. At 258k miles, I don't think a synthetic is warranted. As a fellow Toyota owner, they are GREAT vehicles. I'm hoping to reach the mileage you have in your Camry in my Corolla.

Welcome to BITOG!

 

[RISUPERCREWMAN]

My daily driver is a 1993 V6 Camry LE! At 135K miles it is only getting broken in! I use Mobil 1 5w30 for winters & 10w30 for Summers!

 

[190E26FTW]

I put Mobil 1 Ow30 in my relatives 4 cyl Camry. He says its giving him better gas mileage than with 5w30. He is gonna stick with this formula.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I agree 100% with Bill - and I'm sure he's unhappy with that association

Also, I hope I never have to own MY toyota for 300K!

 

[moto94536]

I have good luck with Castrol Syntec 5w30 on my 2006 camry v6.

 

[dgee]

I switched to synthetic in my 01 Camry V6 near 200k. No leaking or consumption issues.
Since the 1mz-fe is a engine prone to sludging, I wanted to run higher detergent oil such as Pennzoil Platinum.


what is your current oil change interval?

 

[moto94536]

Every OCI is different on type of your driving..

OCI 10K with castrol syntec with the cheap FRAM oil filter. Most of my driving are low RPM, 65 MPH, 99% highway, use cruise control..

today there are alot of good motor oil.. I heard you can buy QS full synthetic for $17 with the coupon at Walmart.

Motor Oil are going up soon... so better load it up..

 

[LeakySeals]

Like others are saying there is no set "best". Each car is different. Here's my example.

My I4 02 Camry was at deaths door when I bought it. Couldnt idle, Valve/seals blowing blue smoke and rapping so bad at startup I had it towed after purchase. Turns out it was all related to oil. Without proper service, even Toyotas bite the dust. PCV clogged, cat was/is toast, CEL on for that. IAC, throttle body, 02s, everything completely covered in an oily carbony goo. I started with MMO and some short dino OCI's, then some HMO's each with different filters. Most of the filters gave this car a horrible RAP at startup after a few hundred miles. Even the Pure 1. I tried the lesser efficient Fram Xtended Guard 4386, no rap anymore. Thats contrary to all the Fram haters. This can is gold, heavy, not anything like the other Frams. Even has some sort of screen molded into the media. Everyones obscessed with the orange Frams, missing what I have found to be a great filter. I ended up with Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30 w/ 10/40 topoffs for oil. Consumption down to a half quart every 5k. Going 10k on OCIs. Car runs fine, and passed inspection (after I turned the CEL cat light off).