Questions about older Toyota vehicle lubrication

[PerfectTommy]

Have been aware of BobisTheOilGuy for a while, and seen excerpts from tests, reports, etc., but first time registering and digging into the site. This is a great resource!

2 Questions: one regarding an owned-from-new 2012 Sienna, and one regarding a newly acquired 2000 5-speed manual SR5 4Runner.

The Sienna:
has just passed 126,000mi. Always dealer-serviced. Oil changes at 5,000 miles. So, presume it has always been OEM filters and oil. Does not burn anything between changes; no issues. A great vehicle. After reading through here about engine/crankcase cleaners, intervals, and high-mileage oils I am now confused. Would it be advisable, given the mileage, to: i) switch to a ‘high mileage’ oil, and ii) is it advisable to run a cleaner through the system, even as a preventative measure? If so, what is recommended (it seems that HPL and Rislone get the highest marks).

The 4Runner:
just acquired. 191,000mi (we’ve added 1000 already). Not a lot of history on maintenance, but do know that significant service (timing belt, water pump, thermostat, etc) were all done in a timely manner. The vehicle runs very well from what we have seen so far. Next oil change, if on a 3000mi schedule (which, it seems, has been the interval since 170k miles, at least), is @193,000. Fram filter is on it now. Not sure which one, or what has been used over the past 24 years.

Question here is the same: recommend high-mileage synthetic oil? Recommend an engine cleaner? Which one?
Stick to OEM filters, or are there better/less expensive alternatives?
Note: looking into the crankcase from the oil fill aperture, it looks like there is some varnish/deposit; it is not all shiny metal, there is some discoloration/film. Not totally black, not thick, but some brown(ish) discoloration.

Thanks for any input. And, please, keep it at the simpleton level.

 

[Astro14]

Simple?

Sure - if the engines look ok, then keep doing what got them this far.

A reasonable oil change interval, with a good oil, and a decent filter, is all you need.

High Mileage, oil is designed to fix a certain set of problems, like leaky seals. If you don’t have those problems, then you don’t need that oil. Save your money.

Also, I mean it sincerely, if you’re looking for simplicity, then I wouldn’t try to fix a problem without first determining that there is a problem.

So, if you’re up for experimenting, then I would run a quart of HPL‘s engine cleaner, along with the oil of your choice, and at your next oil change interval, see what got caught in the filter.

But, if your engine doesn’t need cleaning, then I wouldn’t try to clean it. I wouldn’t spend a lot of money on stuff that you may not need. Fixing things that aren’t broken is a great way to run out of money.

 

[Astro14]

Allow me to add, that I enjoyed fooling around with stuff in the garage. I own 7 cars, technically, though I still keep up with the two Volvos my kids drive, that were once my cars.

So yes, I’ve changed over to HPL. It’s the best oil on the market. It’s also more expensive than regular oil. I’ve had some interesting results, particularly with the Volvos. Lots of carbon in the filter. In the Mercedes, the results were remarkable for how well the oil held up over 10,000 miles, and the cleanliness of that engine is still remarkable. It was spotless on Mobil 1 0W40 as well.

But all of the cars were running fine before I switched over, they didn’t even use oil. This is more my desire to investigate, perhaps experiment.

My Toyota Tundra is a flex fuel vehicle. Toyota specifies of 5000 mile oil change interval for flex fuel. I’m not sure why, perhaps they’re worried about alcohol contamination of the oil.

So, at 80,000 miles, the Tundra has had nothing but Pennzoil Ultra Platinum (bought at $21/jug when Amazon had a good sale) at 5000 miles intervals with a Toyota filter.

Nothing fancy.

What I can see of that engine is encouraging. Also, spotless. No need for any cleaning.

Perhaps, when my stash of inexpensive Pennzoil Platinum runs out, I will change the truck over the HPL, too, but that’s more indulging my curiosity than a recommendation. It certainly isn’t a requirement.

 

[PerfectTommy]

Simple?

Sure - if the engines look ok, then keep doing what got them this far.

A reasonable oil change interval, with a good oil, and a decent filter, is all you need.

High Mileage, oil is designed to fix a certain set of problems, like leaky seals. If you don’t have those problems, then you don’t need that oil. Save your money.

Also, I mean it sincerely, if you’re looking for simplicity, then I wouldn’t try to fix a problem without first determining that there is a problem.

So, if you’re up for experimenting, then I would run a quart of HPL‘s engine cleaner, along with the oil of your choice, and at your next oil change interval, see what got caught in the filter.

But, if your engine doesn’t need cleaning, then I wouldn’t try to clean it. I wouldn’t spend a lot of money on stuff that you may not need. Fixing things that aren’t broken is a great way to run out of money.

Thanks for the quick response. I meant I am a simpleton, not necessarily looking for a simple fix. But, as you state: will try the HPL cleaner in the 4Runner first, since I can see some deposit. As for the Sienna, it’s clean and problem-free. Might try, after reading so much about it here, HPL oil (v. Cleaner) for a few changes and see ‘what comes out’.

I am a former car guy (kids ended that), so not adverse to some experimenting. If the HPL is as good as it seems, may switch to it too: bought-when-new 1991 Miata, the Sienna, the 4Runner, and my wife’s new Ascent and my new (2021, last of the V8) Sequioa.

BTW: see you are in VaBeach. “Retired Military”, so Navy? What did you do in the Navy? I lived in VB for 17 years! Bay Colony. Moved about four years ago. Was back for a couple days of surfing in June. What part of town do you live in?