Recommend an oil choice to me - used 2005 Highlander V6

[Rock_Hound]

My ‘03 Avalon has the predecessor engine: 1MZ-fe. It is a great family of engines.

If it hasn’t had a timing belt change, you are due for one. Every 100k/decade, I do the timing belt, water pump, cam seals, valve cover gaskets, and spark plugs. These motors will run forever if you keep these things up.

As for oil, I have been changing with a quality full synthetic (Mobile 1, Valvoline, Pennzoil, I am not to picky) and a Toyota YZZn1 (or f1, or d1) filter every 5k miles. I know that is probably overkill, but oil changes are cheap, and it gets me under the car often enough that I can spot any maintenance that will need done before it becomes a problem. Maintenance is cheaper than new car payments.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Hi all. Just purchased a very nice 2005 Highlander V6 3.3L. 125k miles and impeccable carfax with regular 5k oil changes - most at dealerships, but some at other quick lube places. The seller indicates dino oil was likely used although the last oil change was supposedly hybrid oil. 5W 30 is recommended in the manual. Two issues I wanted to note: 1) the valve cover gasket is leaking in case that impacts oil choice votes. 2) In the oil filler "neck" area, I noted the metal "baffle" has a hard carbon-like oil coating that most folks on the mechanical board didn't find concerning, nor did a reputable shop that I had inspect the car. But I can't help but wonder if perhaps I should look at an oil that might have better cleaning power than others.

I'm partial to Mobil. So am thinking:
1. Mobil 1 5W-30 full synthetic
2. Mobl 1 5W-30 High Mileage - full synthetic
3. Mobil Super 5000 synthetic blend
4. Mobil Super conventional

Years ago, folks claimed switching to full synthetic could cause oil leaks and I think this is the origin of the Mobil1 1 HM version that supposedly has additives that help swell seals to avoid leads. Any issues with using straight Mobil 1? Consider the HM version? Go with a blend (considering conventional has likely been used in the car since 2005) to be on the safe side yet still get synthetic qualities, or just stick with a good quality conventional like Mobil Super and be mindful of the 5k change intervals.

TIA in advance oil gurus for any and all input!

Switched my 2004 Toyota to full synthetic at 66,000 miles drove it for 16 plus years it never leaked or used much oil. Burned about a 1/2 cup in 5000 + mile OCI's.

 

[Chris142]

what has worked for the last 20 years?

 

[Intelligent Molecule]

Have the same engine in my 2005 Sienna, but with 267k miles on the clock.

Introduced regular Mobil1 to it awhile back after a lifetime of synblend changed at 5k miles without fail. Started to leak within weeks-pretty substantial leaking.

Changed out to Valvoline Maxlife blend, and it stopped the leaking completely in a fairly short amount of time. This isn't the first time this has happened to me with high mileage vehicles.

Your engine is a lot fresher than mine was, so maybe it won't be a problem. But it seems like very little to gain and something to lose with a switch at this point.

 

[Dorian]

First off, great car and underrated engine. While I wouldn’t hesitate to run M1 0W40 in that pup, I would actually give Valvoline Restore and Protect a good run to clean things up a bit. Though I will say, the biggest difference we noticed with ours was running it on mid grade. Loads more torque and better mpg.

 

[Carlostrece]

Hi all. Just purchased a very nice 2005 Highlander V6 3.3L. 125k miles and impeccable carfax with regular 5k oil changes - most at dealerships, but some at other quick lube places. The seller indicates dino oil was likely used although the last oil change was supposedly hybrid oil. 5W 30 is recommended in the manual. Two issues I wanted to note: 1) the valve cover gasket is leaking in case that impacts oil choice votes. 2) In the oil filler "neck" area, I noted the metal "baffle" has a hard carbon-like oil coating that most folks on the mechanical board didn't find concerning, nor did a reputable shop that I had inspect the car. But I can't help but wonder if perhaps I should look at an oil that might have better cleaning power than others.

I'm partial to Mobil. So am thinking:
1. Mobil 1 5W-30 full synthetic
2. Mobl 1 5W-30 High Mileage - full synthetic
3. Mobil Super 5000 synthetic blend
4. Mobil Super conventional

Years ago, folks claimed switching to full synthetic could cause oil leaks and I think this is the origin of the Mobil1 1 HM version that supposedly has additives that help swell seals to avoid leads. Any issues with using straight Mobil 1? Consider the HM version? Go with a blend (considering conventional has likely been used in the car since 2005) to be on the safe side yet still get synthetic qualities, or just stick with a good quality conventional like Mobil Super and be mindful of the 5k change intervals.

TIA in advance oil gurus for any and all input!

I recommend conventional 5W30 if you can find a good brand of it. Otherwise a good high mileage synblend oil such as Valvoline Maxlife High Mileage Synblend (red bottle). Otherwise Penzoil 5W30 High Mileage that's conventional or blend, but not full syn.

There are are probably also some other good brands of High Mileage 5W30 that are not full syn, but I don't know which brands they are.

In my experience, Mobile One (any M1 product) is the worst possible choice if you want to avoid oil leaks. Put some M1 in that car and you'll likely see increased leaking and maybe also decreased oil pressure. M1 is extra thin and slippery (even moreso than most other brands of synthetic). M1 is not what an old car needs.

I base that on my own personal experiences trying the brands mentioned in several old 80s, 90s, and early 2000s cars and trucks.

 

[Patman]

In my experience, Mobile One (any M1 product) is the worst possible choice if you want to avoid oil leaks. Put some M1 in that car and you'll likely see increased leaking and maybe also decreased oil pressure. M1 is extra thin and slippery (even moreso than most other brands of synthetic). M1 is not what an old car needs.

Maybe you would have had better luck with Mobil 1 instead of Mobile 1

Seriously though, M1 is not more slippery or thinner than other brands. That’s nonsense

 

[kschachn]

In my experience, Mobile One (any M1 product) is the worst possible choice if you want to avoid oil leaks. Put some M1 in that car and you'll likely see increased leaking and maybe also decreased oil pressure. M1 is extra thin and slippery (even moreso than most other brands of synthetic). M1 is not what an old car needs.

I base that on my own personal experiences trying the brands mentioned in several old 80s, 90s, and early 2000s cars and trucks.

What? Are you saying the oil does not meet the requirements for the SAE grade printed on the container? Is this all the varieties of Mobile One or just certain ones? How about the HT/HS, is that low as well?

And how are you measuring slipperiness between brands? Being extra slippery sounds like a good thing for motor oil, isn't it?

 

[Carlostrece]

Maybe you would have had better luck with Mobil 1 instead of Mobile 1

Seriously though, M1 is not more slippery or thinner than other brands. That’s nonsense

Is it? Years ago I read the specs and compared Mobil One to Valvoline, Pennzoil, Shell, Chevron fully syn. Mobil One was a bit thinner in it spec sheet.

IRL I experienced more oil leaks and less oil pressure with Mobil One than with any other brand of synthetic.

If the OP doesn't believe me, then go ahead and put in Mobil One and see what happens. Please report back in this thread 3 months and again at 6 months after putting M1 in that old SUV. Let us know if your leaks increased. Also let us know if you notice any reduction in oil pressure.

 

[Carlostrece]

What? Are you saying the oil does not meet the requirements for the SAE grade printed on the container? Is this all the varieties of Mobile One or just certain ones? How about the HT/HS, is that low as well?

And how are you measuring slipperiness between brands? Being extra slippery sounds like a good thing for motor oil, isn't it?

I don't know what HS/HT means.

Slippery is good to a point, but if it's so slippery and thin that your seals can't hold it in, you get leaks, or in OP situation increased leaks. Also, decreased oil pressure can result.

Mobil One high mileage maybe OK. I think conventional would be best, synblend next best, any other brand of full syn high mileage oil would be my next to last choice. My last choice would be Mobil One high mileage.

Any other Mobil One product and I predict it'll leak like a sieve. Try it. If I'm wrong then laugh in my face.