Good Morning all, I have been a follower of BITOG for about 6 years and finally joined. This has been a very useful and informative board. I have a newer 2011 Toyota 4runner Trail Edition with the 4.0 liter V6 that takes the 0W-20 Synthetic Oil. I live in Phoenix Arizona where the temps during summer are over 110 daily. How durable is this oil? Toyota dealerships are saying its good for 10K miles, but the manual states 5K miles. The other day I heard a little engine noise that concerned me and wondered with the heat could this oil break down faster than the recommended oil change? I do almost 80 percent highway driving by the way, normally around 70 mph and 70 mile round trip daily. I have intentions when I reach the 5k mile mark to test a sample of the oil and have it sent in to the lab where I had all my previous oil testing done. I guess right now I'm looking for any pre-cautionary stories. I have read some very good things about Toyota's oil on this site and found nothing negative yet. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank You, Jeffro
Durability Toyota 0w-20 oil
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I am going to get flamed for this but I would NEVER run it 10k. Toyota makes great vehicles...but they have made so many huge mistakes on oil over the past 2-3 decades that I always question their judgement. My dealer has always told me to use synthetic and never go beyond 5000 miles and be sure you won't get a sludger. Frequent oil changes are cheap peace of mind IMO.
Ok gotta put my flame suit on
Ok gotta put my flame suit on
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I think your plan is sound. Sample and go from there.
I started a similiar thread about a 12 Camry and whether to go 10k or not:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...283#Post2991283
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...283#Post2991283
Welcome to BITIOG! Nice to see someone from Phoenix, that's where I'm from. I think you should stick to 5K for now until you get it tested.
If it'll ease your mind there's no reason to not run 5w30 synthetic and change it every 5,000 miles.
It's not like 0w-20 vs 5w30 will make any noticeable difference in gas mileage when we're talking about a 270-something horsepower V6 pushing a 4500+ lb vehicle down the road.
It's not like 0w-20 vs 5w30 will make any noticeable difference in gas mileage when we're talking about a 270-something horsepower V6 pushing a 4500+ lb vehicle down the road.
Welcome to BITOG!
Highway mileage is the easiest on motor oil (and your engine) and will maximize oil life. Under these conditions 10,000 miles should be a piece of cake.
You can look up a number of 10,000 mile used oil analysis on TGMO under less favourable conditions than yours.
I wouldn't bother testing at 5K, too soon. Let it go for 10,000 miles and then test. Even on the off change that the UOA indicated the oil was done, one slightly lengthy oil change won't affect your engine.
Highway mileage is the easiest on motor oil (and your engine) and will maximize oil life. Under these conditions 10,000 miles should be a piece of cake.
You can look up a number of 10,000 mile used oil analysis on TGMO under less favourable conditions than yours.
I wouldn't bother testing at 5K, too soon. Let it go for 10,000 miles and then test. Even on the off change that the UOA indicated the oil was done, one slightly lengthy oil change won't affect your engine.
Is TGMO 0W20 a great oil? Absolutely. It has been discussed very often here.
Is it ideal to run TGMO 0W20 for a 10,000 mile OCI in every vehicle? I tend to think not. The only way to prove this to me is for oil analysis on my specific vehicle in my driving conditions. I would want a baseline such as a 5,000 mile OCI and then begin to increase my OCI. I'm sure Toyota has performed similar tests to mandate the 10,000 OCI on TGMO, but Toyota also has a motive for profit. And don't take this as my thought being Toyota wishes to "kill my car with extended OCI." Absolutely not, but they do wish to sell oil change services and TGMO by the quart.
I feel TGMO 0W20 when allocated for ~$5-6 per quart is a great choice. I don't completely accept the 0wXX synthetic aspect though. 2010_FX4 has proven in a 2010 F150 that conventional motor oil, Mobil Super 5000, 5W20 specifically, has endured a 10,000 mile OCI and still offered exceptional protection, however, he has the data on his vehicle with a baseline to extend his OCI. What his data shows me is to consider conventional 5W20 for my application, '11 Corolla also specifying 0W20, for a minimum OCI of 5,000 miles. This habitually coincides with my tire rotation interval and is simply easier to follow FOR ME AND MY APPLICATION.
Is it ideal to run TGMO 0W20 for a 10,000 mile OCI in every vehicle? I tend to think not. The only way to prove this to me is for oil analysis on my specific vehicle in my driving conditions. I would want a baseline such as a 5,000 mile OCI and then begin to increase my OCI. I'm sure Toyota has performed similar tests to mandate the 10,000 OCI on TGMO, but Toyota also has a motive for profit. And don't take this as my thought being Toyota wishes to "kill my car with extended OCI." Absolutely not, but they do wish to sell oil change services and TGMO by the quart.
I feel TGMO 0W20 when allocated for ~$5-6 per quart is a great choice. I don't completely accept the 0wXX synthetic aspect though. 2010_FX4 has proven in a 2010 F150 that conventional motor oil, Mobil Super 5000, 5W20 specifically, has endured a 10,000 mile OCI and still offered exceptional protection, however, he has the data on his vehicle with a baseline to extend his OCI. What his data shows me is to consider conventional 5W20 for my application, '11 Corolla also specifying 0W20, for a minimum OCI of 5,000 miles. This habitually coincides with my tire rotation interval and is simply easier to follow FOR ME AND MY APPLICATION.
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Originally Posted By: JethroBodine
I am going to get flamed for this but I would NEVER run it 10k. Toyota makes great vehicles...but they have made so many huge mistakes on oil over the past 2-3 decades that I always question their judgement. My dealer has always told me to use synthetic and never go beyond 5000 miles and be sure you won't get a sludger. Frequent oil changes are cheap peace of mind IMO.
Ok gotta put my flame suit on
I agree so I'll join you with the flame suit.
I am going to get flamed for this but I would NEVER run it 10k. Toyota makes great vehicles...but they have made so many huge mistakes on oil over the past 2-3 decades that I always question their judgement. My dealer has always told me to use synthetic and never go beyond 5000 miles and be sure you won't get a sludger. Frequent oil changes are cheap peace of mind IMO.
Ok gotta put my flame suit on
I agree so I'll join you with the flame suit.
Do you know why there is a discrepancy between the dealer and the manual?
If Toyota put out information that superseded the manual, then so long as you follow that, you should be ok.
As CATERHAM says, your driving pattern is very easy on oil. And 0w20 is of higher quality than conventional 5w20 which was allowable for 5k intervals by Toyota for a while.
In your position I would:
1) Clarify Toyotas official position
2) If your oci is 10k, then I would sample at 7k, maybe further depending on how brave you are. A 5k UOA is too early if you're objective is to verify 10k is possible, especially if Toyota say it is and your driving pattern is mainly moderate highway speeds.
If Toyota put out information that superseded the manual, then so long as you follow that, you should be ok.
As CATERHAM says, your driving pattern is very easy on oil. And 0w20 is of higher quality than conventional 5w20 which was allowable for 5k intervals by Toyota for a while.
In your position I would:
1) Clarify Toyotas official position
2) If your oci is 10k, then I would sample at 7k, maybe further depending on how brave you are. A 5k UOA is too early if you're objective is to verify 10k is possible, especially if Toyota say it is and your driving pattern is mainly moderate highway speeds.
Are you sure your manual shows 5k OCI? I just looked it up and that is for the 4 cylinder. the V6 shows 10k OCI. If that is the case and you use the TGMO 0w-20 oil you should have no worries to follow the manual. Get an UOA at 10k just to check the condition of the oil and sleep well at night.
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: JethroBodine
I am going to get flamed for this but I would NEVER run it 10k. Toyota makes great vehicles...but they have made so many huge mistakes on oil over the past 2-3 decades that I always question their judgement. My dealer has always told me to use synthetic and never go beyond 5000 miles and be sure you won't get a sludger. Frequent oil changes are cheap peace of mind IMO.
Ok gotta put my flame suit on
I agree so I'll join you with the flame suit.
Strength in numbers. They can't light us all up. 5k oci. It's hot out there,it's a thin oil,and it's a $35,000 vehicle.
Originally Posted By: JethroBodine
I am going to get flamed for this but I would NEVER run it 10k. Toyota makes great vehicles...but they have made so many huge mistakes on oil over the past 2-3 decades that I always question their judgement. My dealer has always told me to use synthetic and never go beyond 5000 miles and be sure you won't get a sludger. Frequent oil changes are cheap peace of mind IMO.
Ok gotta put my flame suit on
I agree so I'll join you with the flame suit.
Strength in numbers. They can't light us all up. 5k oci. It's hot out there,it's a thin oil,and it's a $35,000 vehicle.
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Originally Posted By: TrevorS
Do you know why there is a discrepancy between the dealer and the manual?
If Toyota put out information that superseded the manual, then so long as you follow that, you should be ok.
As CATERHAM says, your driving pattern is very easy on oil. And 0w20 is of higher quality than conventional 5w20 which was allowable for 5k intervals by Toyota for a while.
In your position I would:
1) Clarify Toyotas official position
2) If your oci is 10k, then I would sample at 7k, maybe further depending on how brave you are. A 5k UOA is too early if you're objective is to verify 10k is possible, especially if Toyota say it is and your driving pattern is mainly moderate highway speeds.
I would also do 7k. I'd change it t 7k mark and see what you get. Chances are you can go to 8,9, and possibly 10k with how you drive.
Do you know why there is a discrepancy between the dealer and the manual?
If Toyota put out information that superseded the manual, then so long as you follow that, you should be ok.
As CATERHAM says, your driving pattern is very easy on oil. And 0w20 is of higher quality than conventional 5w20 which was allowable for 5k intervals by Toyota for a while.
In your position I would:
1) Clarify Toyotas official position
2) If your oci is 10k, then I would sample at 7k, maybe further depending on how brave you are. A 5k UOA is too early if you're objective is to verify 10k is possible, especially if Toyota say it is and your driving pattern is mainly moderate highway speeds.
I would also do 7k. I'd change it t 7k mark and see what you get. Chances are you can go to 8,9, and possibly 10k with how you drive.
A few things....
1.) Is the vehicle still under Manufacturer warranty? Follow their schedule and recommended oil to avoid warranty claim grief.
2.) Why not sample the oil at 5000 miles and send it out for analysis? That way you know if it sheared, how its holding up, etc.
1.) Is the vehicle still under Manufacturer warranty? Follow their schedule and recommended oil to avoid warranty claim grief.
2.) Why not sample the oil at 5000 miles and send it out for analysis? That way you know if it sheared, how its holding up, etc.
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Originally Posted By: FZ1
Strength in numbers. They can't light us all up. 5k oci. It's hot out there,it's a thin oil,and it's a $35,000 vehicle.
Amen- especially when a good shopper can score a good synthetic oil and good filter for $30 or better. Why gamble? At least get a used oil analysis and decide from there how long you can go.
Strength in numbers. They can't light us all up. 5k oci. It's hot out there,it's a thin oil,and it's a $35,000 vehicle.
Amen- especially when a good shopper can score a good synthetic oil and good filter for $30 or better. Why gamble? At least get a used oil analysis and decide from there how long you can go.
This brave, principled stand you are taking is based on what again? Because everything I have seen on here points to a 5000 mile OCI with that oil as being pointless...
Originally Posted By: FZ1
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: JethroBodine
I am going to get flamed for this but I would NEVER run it 10k. Toyota makes great vehicles...but they have made so many huge mistakes on oil over the past 2-3 decades that I always question their judgement. My dealer has always told me to use synthetic and never go beyond 5000 miles and be sure you won't get a sludger. Frequent oil changes are cheap peace of mind IMO.
Ok gotta put my flame suit on
I agree so I'll join you with the flame suit.
Strength in numbers. They can't light us all up. 5k oci. It's hot out there,it's a thin oil,and it's a $35,000 vehicle.
Originally Posted By: FZ1
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: JethroBodine
I am going to get flamed for this but I would NEVER run it 10k. Toyota makes great vehicles...but they have made so many huge mistakes on oil over the past 2-3 decades that I always question their judgement. My dealer has always told me to use synthetic and never go beyond 5000 miles and be sure you won't get a sludger. Frequent oil changes are cheap peace of mind IMO.
Ok gotta put my flame suit on
I agree so I'll join you with the flame suit.
Strength in numbers. They can't light us all up. 5k oci. It's hot out there,it's a thin oil,and it's a $35,000 vehicle.
Thank you so much for all the input. I will go and test the oil at 5k miles and post the results. If they look good and the oil can go longer I will do that, otherwise I will change it at 5k. Peace of mind is what I'm looking for and I have some sound advice to use. BTW I usually do most of my own oil changes, and will be using the TGMO oil or Mobil 1 with the Toyota filter.
Hi,
JethroBodine - Wow, 250 Posts in less than a month and you need a Flame Suit? Is this the correct Forum for you...............?
JethroBodine - Wow, 250 Posts in less than a month and you need a Flame Suit? Is this the correct Forum for you...............?
Originally Posted By: kschachn
This brave, principled stand you are taking is based on what again? Because everything I have seen on here points to a 5000 mile OCI with that oil as being pointless...
Originally Posted By: FZ1
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: JethroBodine
I am going to get flamed for this but I would NEVER run it 10k. Toyota makes great vehicles...but they have made so many huge mistakes on oil over the past 2-3 decades that I always question their judgement. My dealer has always told me to use synthetic and never go beyond 5000 miles and be sure you won't get a sludger. Frequent oil changes are cheap peace of mind IMO.
Ok gotta put my flame suit on
I agree so I'll join you with the flame suit.
Strength in numbers. They can't light us all up. 5k oci. It's hot out there,it's a thin oil,and it's a $35,000 vehicle.
In my case because blanket statements can get a person in trouble, and Toyota has made a few sludge monsters in the past. So I suggested at the very least the OP gets a used oil analysis and goes from there. At least he'll know for sure in his application and use if he's doing the right thing or not.
I already proved to myself that 3K conventional OCI's didn't keep the engine in my Buick clean in severe service use. Had I followed blanket statements and upped the OCI to 5K when I took the car from my father I'd have more of a mess to clean up. It has been said time and time again 5K OCI's are easy for conventional oil. I say not always.
OP all I'm saying is play it safe and get the oil checked if you plan on going more than 5K with the oil. You owe it to yourself and to the investment you made.
This brave, principled stand you are taking is based on what again? Because everything I have seen on here points to a 5000 mile OCI with that oil as being pointless...
Originally Posted By: FZ1
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: JethroBodine
I am going to get flamed for this but I would NEVER run it 10k. Toyota makes great vehicles...but they have made so many huge mistakes on oil over the past 2-3 decades that I always question their judgement. My dealer has always told me to use synthetic and never go beyond 5000 miles and be sure you won't get a sludger. Frequent oil changes are cheap peace of mind IMO.
Ok gotta put my flame suit on
I agree so I'll join you with the flame suit.
Strength in numbers. They can't light us all up. 5k oci. It's hot out there,it's a thin oil,and it's a $35,000 vehicle.
In my case because blanket statements can get a person in trouble, and Toyota has made a few sludge monsters in the past. So I suggested at the very least the OP gets a used oil analysis and goes from there. At least he'll know for sure in his application and use if he's doing the right thing or not.
I already proved to myself that 3K conventional OCI's didn't keep the engine in my Buick clean in severe service use. Had I followed blanket statements and upped the OCI to 5K when I took the car from my father I'd have more of a mess to clean up. It has been said time and time again 5K OCI's are easy for conventional oil. I say not always.
OP all I'm saying is play it safe and get the oil checked if you plan on going more than 5K with the oil. You owe it to yourself and to the investment you made.
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