NewB - switch to synthetic? drain intervals?

[sapo]

I've searched the site quite a bit already, info overload! I am still on the learning curve, but I want to ask specific questions since my oil change is scheduled soon. background - Toyota Tacoma 2.7L 4WD, 20,000 miles per year, coming up on 80,000 miles very soon. Local driving is 50/50 freeway/city streets (8 mile commute) and I take about ten 1-2,000 mile road trips every year. Oil and filter changed at the dealer every 5,000 miles (manuafacture rec) with dino chevron 10w-30 (they say) and OEM filter. Reno gets pretty cold in winter and pretty hot in summer. I am planning on installing a filter relocator and performing the service at home now, and plan to keep the truck until it dies. That said, Q: If I switch to a synthetic oil, can I safely up the drain interval to 10,000 miles, with filter change at 5,000? Can I do this safely with Napa (Valvoline) synth 0W- or 5W-30? or this there another cost-wise product better suited to my plan? Not wanting to double-post, here's my filter Q: Can I safely use the Napa Gold filter for my plan? How about K&N? Other? Ultimately, I want to run the above plan for simplicity sake. However, it is important to me to keep my rig in excellent condition for the long haul. I mention the products above for economy, except the K&N. Sorry for the long post, Thanks for input. I hope to contribute in the future-

 

[unDummy]

Only a UOA will tell you if you can push your oil change interval to 10k with your driving style/vehicle. Simplicity: change the oil & filter every 7.5k miles using Mobil1 and any filter(like supertech for $2 or purolator for $3). Check and topoff the oil as needed. Check oil filter clearance for available oversized options.

 

[Amkeer]

You should be able to go 6 months, 10000 miles on the synthetics, however you have been running dino for the past 80,000 miles. You will have some deposits left from the dino that may not enable you to do extended intervals at first. Now when we say synthetics we are taliking about Amsoil, Mobil 1, Castrol (german), etc.. I would do an interval at 7,000 miles with Mobil 1 5w30 or 10w30 and pull a sample to send for UOA. This will give you a baseline to see if you can even get to 10,000 miles per change. I would use a Wix or equivilent filter. Don't try to cheapen out on oil or filters when you are going for extended drains especially since you want this vehicle to last. Daily Drives: -2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner XtraCab, 2.7 Liter , Mobil1 Synthetic SS 5W-30. ODO 9600 Miles. -1995 Toyota 4-Runner 3.0 V6, Mobil1 Synthetic SS 10W-30. ODO 91800 Miles. http://community.webshots.com/user/amkeer