Should I use Mobil 1

[John Lee]

I attempted to post this earlier. not sure what happened. I purchased a used Toyota Sienna 2004 a couple months age. I' m ready for an oil change. On Toyotas web site they state that once you start using synthetic oil you must keep using it. On the Sienna Club site that question was asked several times and Toyota states that the reason open to the public. Toyota also states that they have not seen any evidence that sythetic workes any better than dino oil in thier test. Toyota does recommend 7500 mile OCI.

I have used Mobil 1 in the past. The 1st time was in the 70s when it was 1st interduced. I had 74 Capri with a 2000cc engine. My gas milaged jumped alot along withthe idel. If memorary serves me right I had to lower the idel speed after the oil change from 1400 back to 850 RPM. I also ran it for 1 year or 24000 miles with oil filter change at 12000 miles. I still use Mobil 1 in my daughters 99 Concord with the 2.7 sludge-a-matic.

 

[SSDude]

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=51

 

[ruking77]

I have been doing 15,000 mile OCI intervals with Mobil One (mainly 5w30) for app 694,000 miles and on mainly I6 Toyota engines.

Let's us face it, some Toyota engines (as you indicate) are sludge a matic monsters.

So if you have a sludge monster like I did (in a 1985 Toyota Camry 4 cylinder) it almost doesn't matter what your oil change intervals are. Or whether or not synthetic was used. You are at way higher increased risk way for sludge development. An engine that runs INXS of an oils flash point will tend to sludge. It is just that synthetic oil has a slightly greater flash point and leaves less residue than say a conventional oil when "burned." Mine did sludge up and I did 2-3k OCI's with Castrol GTX. (1985)

So if you have a "good engine" defined as non sludge a matic, It is almost a non brainer to do 15,000 mile OCI's and above with almost no concerns.

[ May 15, 2005, 12:07 PM: Message edited by: ruking77 ]

 

[ruking77]

quote:

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Originally posted by LT4 Vette:
Ruking77,

Won't the TBN be shot around 12,000 miles even if you use Mobil 1. Have you done a UOA after 15,000 miles with Mobil 1 ?? Thanks.

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In my cases no. But then it would depend on the definition of "shot" To me that is TBN of 2.0 or less. I haven't done long term consistent UOA's such as:

http://neptune.spacebears.com/index.html

But spot UOA's over the years have confirmed life left on the TBN side. One 87 Toyota Landcruiser I sold at 14 year mark, 250,000 miles, spotless innards (as per dealer mechanics doing app 16/17 valve adjustments over the 14 years) I offered it for sale at 9k (16k new) and the buyer at first hinted it was too much. I just told him if he wanted, to take it to whatever mechanic and bring it back with a full tank if he didn't want it. He brought back the full asking price. I am almost convinced I sold it for too little!

I also have an LS6 V8 engine with app 68,000 miles. Outside of an old school oil and filter change at 1,600 miles (which was a complete and utter waste of time and resources) I have kept to 15,000 mile intervals per oem recommendation/ DIC or driver's information center. The way I actually drive, indicates a useful life of between 13,800-14,800 miles. So I have changed oil 6 times total. Mobil One 5w30 is oem specified and I have continued using Mobil One 5w30.

[ May 15, 2005, 02:38 PM: Message edited by: ruking77 ]

 

[John Lee]

It sounds like it would be on the very safe side to use Mobil 1 5w-30 and change it 7500 miles. (Still under warranty.) I may spend alittle more for the oil change and change the oil and filter twice a year. We average about 14000 miles a year. Sounds like a no brainer.

 

[ruking77]

As you probably know, I would concur! Even at the 7500 mile marker, if you are in anyway in doubt, hey a UOA is a can do easy. The only real impediment is the cost of the UOA, but sometimes one can have an itch that can only be scratched by confirmation: a UOA.

On the other hand there are folks that would not do "longer" UOA's and it doesnt matter one bit what the UOA actually shows.

While it is neat that one can actually compare oils, verify whether oils are still good or RIP, or even if the air filter is functioning correctly; the original design and intent of a UOA is to show engine wear trend lines as mirrored in the analysed oil media.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

quote:

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Originally posted by John Lee:
On Toyotas web site they state that once you start using synthetic oil you must keep using it. On the Sienna Club site that question was asked several times and Toyota states that the reason open to the public. Toyota also states that they have not seen any evidence that sythetic workes any better than dino oil in thier test. Toyota does recommend 7500 mile OCI.

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The idea that "once you go synth you can't go back" is ridiculous. It only shows a lack of knowledge of oil.

Your 3.3L is a derivative of the 3.0L Sludge-ball. Your version isn't as prone to sludge as the 98-mid2002 models were. Your 3.3L has the relaxed PCV, instead of the agressive one that was what put things over the edge for those older Siennas. I'm sure Toyota licked it's wounds from the past and won't be repeating them in your iteration of the Sienna van.

7500 miles is a LONG way to go on dino on that engine in dino IMO. It may not have the agressive PCV setup, but it's still the same engine design! Mobil1/Amsoil/GC? Surely 7500 miles is a good number and M1 seems to be a lubrication match-made-in-heaven with Toyota engines. A UOA or two will go a long way to putting your mind at ease.

Then go back to dino to show Toyota's legal writers that your engine won't blow up by switching back!

 

[1maniac]

quote:

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Toyota also states that they have not seen any evidence that sythetic workes any better than dino oil in thier test.

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[SWS]

John Lee,
I recommend that you use synth in your nice van. I have used M1 5W-30 in my 3 cars for 1 year now and am quite pleased. I have a '97 Camry 4-Cyl (one of the "minor" Sludge Motors) and ran Dino successfully for 55K miles, with OCI every 3K miles. With synth's ability to tolerate higher heat, I am pleased that I now have extra thermal margin, and the oil does not look "beat up" anymore. Best Wishes as you motor along!

ToyotaNSaturn,
What do you mean by "relaxed" and "agressive" PCV systems? Thanks.

 

[Mr Nice]

Ruking77,

Won't the TBN be shot around 12,000 miles even if you use Mobil 1. Have you done a UOA after 15,000 miles with Mobil 1 ?? Thanks.

 

[John Lee]

The 3.3 v-6 is not a sludge-a-matic as far as I know. My OCI would stay within the 75000 miles or twice a year. I'm not sure why Toyota would make a statement that would let you believe synthetics are not needed when they have designed engines that are prone to develope sludge. Toyota also stated that once you start not to go back to dino. I have used Mobil 1 and then gone back to dino several times on three or four cars and trucks.

My other option would be to go to blend and chang out around 4000 miles.

 

[John Lee]

That is 7500 mile not 75000. I know I would have sludge if I had a engine.