Oil Reco - City Driving & Fire Response

[NYSteve]

Hi Everyone,
Looking for my next oil recommendation. Vehicle is an 2008 GX470 with the Toyota 4.7 V8.

I drive 80% city driving with the other 20% highway. I am also a firefighter and respond to calls with this vehicle so can go from cold engine to 'spirited' in the middle of the night to extended idling.

In Philly area so everything from 0 - 100 degrees. Drive about 7000 miles a year and looking for annual full synthetic oil change. I'll be running Fram Ultra filter.

Currently running Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 but open to staying with M1 or moving to Castrol Edge, PP or even Redline, Amsoil etc - cost isn't an issue or changing out early. Engine spec is 5w30 and willing to run 0w/5w/10w-30.

Changing the oil Christmas weekend and looking for suggestions.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Ramblejam]

Also a firefighter.

Splitting hairs over top-tier synthetics won't make any (real-world) difference. Pick whatever you like.

Focus on brakes, and transmission.

 

[Tech819]

If your running Mobil 1 Extended Performance then stay with.

 

[simple_gifts]

I maintain a Tundra with the same engine; I use Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 to get thru the winter without having to change the oil; My friend also short trips so it gets drained @ about 9K miles. 205K; no consumption between changes.

As with all discussions regarding this engine, i mention that this is a timing belt vehicle; interval is 90K.

 

[bioburner]

If you want to cover your cold bases get a oil pan heater pad, battery blanket or battery tender and a block heater. When I was on call that's what I had hooked to my vehicle when the weather went below 10. Oils are better now for the cold. If the FMO doesn't make it to the party no one gets to ride. $60 to 80 bucks should make the midnight tones less of an issue

 

[MarcS]

Also in the Philly area, former paramedic. Been a very long time since I was a volley whacker bluelighting it to the firehouse. If i were doing it now vs way back in my beater of a ford, I'd install a remote starter. When the tones drop, hit the remote start. By the time you get on your pants and boots and get to your car, you'll at least have had a couple minutes for the oil to flow.

 

[69GTX]

Originally Posted By: bioburner
If you want to cover your cold bases get a oil pan heater pad, battery blanket or battery tender and a block heater. When I was on call that's what I had hooked to my vehicle when the weather went below 10. Oils are better now for the cold. If the FMO doesn't make it to the party no one gets to ride. $60 to 80 bucks should make the midnight tones less of an issue


This. Whatever you can do to get oil temp up before a jack rabbit "cold" run. Agree with the remote starter as it could give you a couple minutes of at least idle warmup...better than nothing. If you can, keep the RPM's under 3,000, preferably under 2,500 for 3-5 minutes. But, do keep them up at 2,000 rpm for 3-10 minutes if possible to speed up the warmup.

 

[CrAlt]

block heater means you also get working defrost and heat quicker.