Stay or switch (dino to syn in 04 camry 4 cyl)

[LarryOil]

Hi Everyone,

Currently running Toyota 5w30 and toyota filter. Monthly mileage is approx 500 to 800 km, most (50-80%) in the city.

Engine (2.4L 2AZ-FE) has approx 210,000 kms on it. Does not burn oil, and has never run synthetic. Previous owner ran high mileage with monthly changes because he was a commuter with 6000 kms/month.

I'm eying PP 5w30, Amsoil 5w30 XL, or possibly GC. For dyno I would use PYB and OEM filter.

Right now I'm running 6 month OCI, would I keep the same interval with the synthetic?

Cheers,

 

[94supraonchrome]

how many miles will you put on it in 6 months? do you do a lot of stop and go driving?

 

[LarryOil]

6 months probably less than 4000 miles.

I'd say stop and go is not terribly excessive. Winter starting and warm-up is an issue since my commute to work is approx 7 km (4.4 miles)

 

[bepperb]

I'm sure any conventional will handle that interval fine, but personally I use Synthetic in the winter... it's worth an extra five bucks to me every time I hear an engine barely start.

 

[LarryOil]

Since I'm in Canada the cost structure is a little skewed.

GC is approx $10/quart
PP is $32-36/gallon (4.73 L)
PYB approx $17-$20/gallon (4.73 L)
M1 approx $36-$42/gallon (4.4L)

M1 extended is close to $55/gallon

Some food for thought

 

[bepperb]

Cough... choke.. cough.

Yeah, I'd be sticking with Dino at those prices.

That's worse than buying beer there.

 

[Steve S]

Depends what you expect to gain from the syn oil.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: LarryOil
Since I'm in Canada the cost structure is a little skewed.

GC is approx $10/quart
PP is $32-36/gallon (4.73 L)
PYB approx $17-$20/gallon (4.73 L)
M1 approx $36-$42/gallon (4.4L)

M1 extended is close to $55/gallon

Some food for thought


5L of M1 at Walmart is like $39.00, last time I bought TDT it was $42.00 for 5L, and that was a couple weeks ago.

 

[deven]

Simply don't fix what aint broken. The car got to 210000km on whatever dino juice in it so why change to a synthetic? Just make sure you change your oil religiously every 5000 miles and you should be fine! Keeping up on maintenance is more important on a 210K km car than using synthetic.