Stupid oil question

[JohnnyJohnson]

Originally Posted by bbhero
Originally Posted by ZZman
I would run a high mileage SYN oil to protect from seal leaks.



This ^^^^^^^


And Quaker State high mileage is a fine oil.


That along with the fact I can get HM oil cheaper on sale often. By the way HM oil will allow you rebates as well it isn't just for the New car oil.

 

[Urshurak776]

I'm switching my wifes Santa Fe in signature to Supertech Full Syn high mileage at 150K. Good oil for $15 (5 quart jug.) Going to run it at 7,500 mile intervals. The car has been on synthetic 90% of it's life.

For your car, maybe a synthetic blend would be better (HM variety) since you ran on conventional most of it's life.

 

[ka9mnx]

I switched my F150 to syn at 180k miles. I switched the 4Runner to syn at 245k miles. Both HM and vanilla. No leak, drips or problems.

 

[Silver]

I'd use synthetic unless what you're using is better. I once had a Ford that used 10W40. Oil is a myth.

 

[bchannell]

It's a shame that these rumors/wives tales keep dogging people who are genuinely trying to make informed decisions. I, just the other day, had a neighbor, who worked for AutoZone, (you know that makes them mechanical experts, right?) tell me that I shouldn't be switching back and forth between dino/syn as it would greanade the engine, or at the very least cause massive leaking. I politely tried to explain to him that he had no idea what he was talking about and asked for his proof/data that supported his recommendations, which he, obviously couldn't produce. The funny thing is, I have mowed 5+ acres a week for years, with a number of both new and used tractors, and seldom had any real mechanical problems with any of them. He mows a postage size yard with a push mower that he constantly tinkers with until it will not run, go figure!

 

[aquariuscsm]

I've switched every car we've owned to synth. Never once a single leak. You can get QSUD at Walmart right now for $17.

 

[Bettez88]

Originally Posted by aquariuscsm
I've switched every car we've owned to synth. Never once a single leak. You can get QSUD at Walmart right now for $17.


Should I stick with 5w20 synthetic or go to 0w20 synthetic?

 

[Gokhan]

Originally Posted by Bettez88
Should I stick with 5w20 synthetic or go to 0w20 synthetic?

Synthetic is better than conventional.

Either 0W-20 or 5W-20 is fine. With 5W-20 you typically get a thicker base oil and more wear protection but in practice a good 0W-20 is usually sufficient in wear protection, especially in an easy-on-the-oil application like yours. With 0W-20 you get a little better fuel economy.

My current fill is Mobil 1 0W-20 Extended Performance SN PLUS (available in 5 qt bottles at Walmart). It's the best oil I've ever used in terms of how smooth my engine has been running and sounding and also the gas mileage. It's a PAO-and-AN-based "true synthetic" (not just full synthetic) and there are basically only three true synthetic off-the-shelf oils in US (M1 EP 0W-20, M1 AP 0W-20, and M1 AFE 0W-16). Note that M1 AFE 0W-20 is not a true synthetic but a full synthetic.

Last but not least, don't forget to pair it with a Fram Ultra full-synthetic oil filter, also available at Walmart and Amazon. I think the oversized Fram Ultra XG3600 would fit in your Toyota.

 

[blupupher]

What are you trying to gain by switching to a synthetic oil?
Does it use any oil?
Any visible sludge build up that can be seen in the fill hole?
What did the last drain look like?
What is you planned change interval?
What are your driving conditions?

IMO, that engine is nothing special and has gotten this far with bulk oil changed at whatever interval it was done at, why change anything?
You will gain nothing from moving to synthetic except more cost. Sure you can play the rebate game and get some deals, but that can be addicting, and then you have to plan you changes around rebates (not a huge deal if you build up a small stash of oil).

If I were in your shoes, I would just run to Walmart and grab a jug of Supertech 5w-20 for $13-14 (or get the high mileage for same price), grab a Supertech filter for $3, change it every 5000 miles and drive till the wheels fall off.
You will never have an oil related issue if you do this.
If you really feel you have to run synthetic, grab the Supertech synthetic (or HM synthetic) for $16-17.

If you have a Rural King nearby, they have their synthetic for even cheaper.