Oil recommendation for Toyotas

[Nonstoprammstein]

Hello,
I would like some advice on proper oil and filters to use on my vehicles.

First is a 98 Camry 4 cyl with 175,000 mi. OCI is about 5000 mi. I live in Houston where it's always hot and my drive is mostly highway but the 22 mi drive can take 1 1/2 hours sometimes. Car is driven easy. This vehicle has valve seal leakage and uses about 1.5 qts per OCI.

Second is 2003 Highlander V6 with 135,000 mi. OCI is also 5000 mi and is a combination of highway and city driving. Vehicle is driven hard, wife has a lead foot. No issues with this car and uses about one qt per OCI.

I usually buy the specials at Autozone which most of the time is Castrol high mileage combined with either Fram or Bosch filters. I am interested in synthetics though.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Welcome! Q-How many miles per year on each vehicle?

 

[Nonstoprammstein]

Camry 12,000 per yr
Highlander 15,000 per yr

 

[hypervish]

Lets make it simple:

Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30 for both cars. And, an OEM toyota filter, or a high quality filter such as PureOne.

 

[HerrStig]

I have found Rotella T6 to reduce oil consumption. I use it in a 99 4 cyl with about 300K on it.

 

[bepperb]

I'd use whatever 5-30 in the Camry. That's not terribly particular. At 5000 miles a conventional would be fine. A high mileage or 40 weight oil might help the consumption, but those valve stem seals get chewed up and if that's where all the oil is going I doubt it.

The 2003 Highlander with the 3.0 isn't a great engine. I would stick to a synthetic at 5000 miles on that.

 

[lexus114]

yes the 3.0 does have issues on conventional oil. Best to run 5W-30 Ultra or any really good cleaning oil in that vehicle for sure.

 

[Eddie]

Why change what is working?

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
Why change what is working?



I agree.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

On the highlander 2x oci per year (i.e: late fall/ late spring) and QSUD or Edge w/fst or PU at 10w30 or 5w30 grade. Change the filter if you hexperience excessive engine noise part way through the oci. AC Delco work well on toyota. IME, Nix the OE service Thailand mfg Toyota Denso filter. They look good but ...

 

[Nonstoprammstein]

The reason I posted was to ensure that the engines will run efficiently for years and to prevent issues later on. I know the oil I use now is fine, but improvements can always be made. It is anagolous to my own well being. I am in great health now, but I am always making modifications to my lifestyle to prolong that health. Something that ain't broke can always be made better and more efficient with proper care and knowledge.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
Why change what is working?



Because it might not necessarily be working. I have first hand experience with the 3.0 motor. While it is a good motor, preventive maintenance to keep it sludge free are VERY important.

 

[dave1251]

But I doubt changing to a synthetic on a 5K OCI and the OP is adding 1.5qts of fresh oil due to leaking will do any good. I would not change to a synthetic but stay with the HM oil routine.

This is a prefect Auto-Rx candidate IMO.

 

[HK_Ace]

I use German Castrol 0W30. I have used Pennzoil Platinum and all work well, though my 4Runner is a V8 that is ridiculously easy on oil. So basically, any good oil will be as good as another in an engine easy on oil. My Camry did well on all as well. It was pretty easy on oil too.

My Subaru is a different story. That 4 cyl NA Boxer engine, contrary to what some say, is not easy on oil. It does well on German Castrol but it does burn Mobil 1 Extended Performance. No idea why, but it is going back to GC or Pennzoil Ultra. It does not burn any of those.

 

[RichR]

Hope you got to see Rammestein this past year!