Timing Oil Change before big Trip

[crinkles]

Hello, I am new here. Lets just say enigne oil confuses the living daylights out of me.

I got a used Camry the other day. Has 33,000 km (20,500 miles) on it. It's a Gen 5.5 (I think) Australian built May 2005. It is a 2AZ-FE engine (4 cylinder).

They were kind enough to give me an oil change and new filter when I pciked it up. It was serviced at 15,000km (9,300 miles) and 30,000 km (18,600 miles) only , just the basics I guess. So it's had two runs with batches of oil that went 15,000 km.

I am not sure what the Toyota dealer used.

Thing is I am planning on a cross-country drive of 4,300km (2,700 miles) in July. It's winter here then so tmeperatures should be under 35 Celcius (about 90 F).

My question is should I change the oil just before I go on the drive, or leave it till after. My work will refund me the service once I get on the other side of the country.

Another thing - the manual recommends 5w30 or 10w30 but the manual also says that 15w40 and 20W-50 is acceptabel based on the temperature ranges. It hardly ever gets below freezing so $-wise i'd go for the 20W-50, but is this too thick for the 2AZ-FE? Also, in Australia's hot climate, kinda like southwest America, should I be going for thicker than the 10w30?

 

[mitchcoyote]

You should change oil before your trip using 15w40.....

 

[crinkles]

Thanks. I can get some Castrol GTX3 conventional 15w40 for relatively cheap. (By Australian Standards

does the fact that the timing chain is lubricated by an oil jet require the oil to be thinner? like a 30 weight when hot?

 

[Thatwouldbegreat]

In the US 15,000km on an oil change seems like a lot of kms.

We'd probably go 6000km for severe service to 11,000km for normal service.

You can look in your manual for what is severe or normal...but usually severe involves cold, traffic, short trips, towing, mountains, dust or off road etc.

But in other countries they do charge a lot more for oil and they often go for longer oil service intervals.

I'd call a few Toyota dealerships and independent Toyota garages and get some opinions.

Based on a quick internet search, and a bias towards slightly thicker oils premium oils and medium length service intervals....I think I'd go with the Castrol Magnatec 10W-40 at 11,000km intervals and change the air filter before the trip.

The Magnatec 10W-40 has good approvals and seems suited for extended service:

http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_int...ec_B1766_04.doc

You could also see if there are other 10W-40 oils in your market with API SM/CF and ACEA A3 /B3 ratings and meet at least Mercedes 229.1 and VW 502, 505.

Whatever you do pick an oil that Toyota shops like in your new area for you model. It will probaly be a 10w30, 10W-40, or 15w40.

I stick with a name brand like Shell, Mobil, Valvoline, Castrol etc. ..or find if there's a well respected oil that is less expensive.

There may be oils that are better value. Castrol makes good products but they love their marketing. Magnatec's special molecules most likely means thay added a little ester a synthetic oil to the blend.

I used the Castrol web site for Australia to see what was reccomended for you vehicle:

-----======-----
TOYOTA
Camry ACV40 Series, 2362cm³ 2AZ-FE VVT-I Eng. (2006-2007)


Crankcase

CASTROL GTX3 MODERN ENGINE 10w30
Castrol GTX3 Modern Engine 10w30 uses the latest technology to meet the needs of today's more demanding modern engines. Its more than oil. Its liquid engineering designed for longer drains and/or smaller sump sizes of modern engines. Castrol GTX3 Modern Engine 10w30 extends the life of your modern engine via improving the engine efficiency for reduced oil consumption, catering for 4, 6 and 8 cylinder engines built by most manufacturers since 1997. Castrol GTX3 Modern Engine 10w30 is suitable for vehicles such as Ford, Holden and Toyota requiring a 10w30 oil.

CASTROL MAGNATEC
Castrol Magnatec 10W-40 combines Intelligent Molecules with synthetic technology for a stronger layer of protection from the moment you turn the key. Whether its during start-up, or on the road in demanding driving conditions, your engine needs more than just ordinary oil. You need the advanced protection of liquid engineering. Castrol Magnatec keeps your car at its peak for longer as its Intelligent Molecules cling and bond to metal surfaces of your engine, protect during all driving conditions and temperatures. Castrol Magnatec meets and exceeds API SM/CF, ACEA A3/B3 requirements.

Service Refill Capacity: 4.3* Litres (See Note 521)

* 521 May also use CASTROL GTX3 MODERN ENGINE 15w40.


Manual Transmission

CASTROL VMX-M 75W/85
Mineral transmission and transaxle fluid especially formulated as a factory fill fluid for Mitsubishi vehicles and used in passenger cars, 4WD's and light commercial vehicles. SAE 75W/85, API GL4.

Service Refill Capacity: 2.5 Litres




Automatic Transmission

Refer to Dealer

Service Refill Capacity: 3.5 Litres




Differential

Combined with Transmission






Power Steering

CASTROL PS FLUID
A mineral based fluid suitable for most power steering systems where the following specifications are nominated: Dexron®, Dexron® II & Dexron® III, SAE 10W or 10W-20 engine oil, ISO 32 or 46 hydraulic oil, Ford M2C-33 F/G, Ford M2C-138 CJ, Ford M2C-166H, Ford Mercon, Ford SQM-2C-9010A and Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid.

(See Note 516)




Notes
* Includes Oil Filter
516 May also use CASTROL TRANSMAX M, CASTROL TQF or CASTROL TQ DIII.
521 May also use CASTROL GTX3 MODERN ENGINE 15w40.


http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/castr_au/default.asp?Section=1&Make=70&Model=1829

==================================================

TOYOTA
Camry ACV36 Series, 2362cm³ 2AZ-FE VVT-I Eng. (2002-2006)


Crankcase

CASTROL GTX3 MODERN ENGINE 10w30
Castrol GTX3 Modern Engine 10w30 uses the latest technology to meet the needs of today's more demanding modern engines. Its more than oil. Its liquid engineering designed for longer drains and/or smaller sump sizes of modern engines. Castrol GTX3 Modern Engine 10w30 extends the life of your modern engine via improving the engine efficiency for reduced oil consumption, catering for 4, 6 and 8 cylinder engines built by most manufacturers since 1997. Castrol GTX3 Modern Engine 10w30 is suitable for vehicles such as Ford, Holden and Toyota requiring a 10w30 oil.

CASTROL MAGNATEC
Castrol Magnatec 10W-40 combines Intelligent Molecules with synthetic technology for a stronger layer of protection from the moment you turn the key. Whether its during start-up, or on the road in demanding driving conditions, your engine needs more than just ordinary oil. You need the advanced protection of liquid engineering. Castrol Magnatec keeps your car at its peak for longer as its Intelligent Molecules cling and bond to metal surfaces of your engine, protect during all driving conditions and temperatures. Castrol Magnatec meets and exceeds API SM/CF, ACEA A3/B3 requirements.

Service Refill Capacity: 4.3* Litres (See Note 568)

* 568 May also use CASTROL EDGE 0W-40.

==================




Manual Transmission

CASTROL VMX-M 75W/85
Mineral transmission and transaxle fluid especially formulated as a factory fill fluid for Mitsubishi vehicles and used in passenger cars, 4WD's and light commercial vehicles. SAE 75W/85, API GL4.

Service Refill Capacity: 2.5 Litres




Automatic Transmission

CASTROL TRANSMAX J
Castrol Transmax J is premium part synthetic automatic transmission fluid specifically designed for Japanese vehicles. Nissan and Subaru have approved this product for use in all their vehicles with automatic transmissions (non CVT), especially those with lock up torque converters.

Service Refill Capacity: 3.5 Litres (See Note 682)




Differential

Combined with Transmission






Power Steering

CASTROL PS FLUID
A mineral based fluid suitable for most power steering systems where the following specifications are nominated: Dexron®, Dexron® II & Dexron® III, SAE 10W or 10W-20 engine oil, ISO 32 or 46 hydraulic oil, Ford M2C-33 F/G, Ford M2C-138 CJ, Ford M2C-166H, Ford Mercon, Ford SQM-2C-9010A and Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid.

(See Note 516)




Notes
* Includes Oil Filter
516 May also use CASTROL TRANSMAX M, CASTROL TQF or CASTROL TQ DIII.
568 May also use CASTROL EDGE 0W-40.
682 For outside warranty period.

http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/castr_au/default.asp?Section=1&Make=70&Model=1828


-----===========-============-============-========

There is a Penrite engine oil and lubricant formulated for every type of automotive application.
Our recommendation for your enquiry is on the basis that it is to be used under the typical Australian motoring and climatic conditions. For your engine oil, use the next heaviest grade listed if operating under severe conditions or if oil consumption is an issue.
Recommendation for: TOYOTA Camry 2.4L (2002-2006)


Engine oil HPR 10 [ a semi synthetic 10W-50 oil ]
Engine capacity 4.3
Manual transmission oil TRANSAXLE 75
Manual transmission capacity 2.5
Auto transmission oil ATF MHP
Auto transmission capacity 3.5
Transfer case oil
Transfer case capacity
Front differential oil ATF MHP and (see note F3)
Front differential capacity 1.6
Rear differential oil
Rear differential capacity
power steering oil ATF TOP UP FLUID
notes F3 Differentials with auto transmission only !


Should you require any further advice, recommendation or information that relates to your enquiry please call us on 61 (03) 9801 0877 or email us at [email protected]

http://www.penritedata.com/au/db/vehicle...;x=203&y=14


http://penrite.com.au/files/QGP5WI62JK/HPR 10.pdf


------=============---------===============----------====


TOYOTA
Camry ACV40 Series, 2362cm³ 2AZ-FE VVT-I Eng. (2006-2007)
Crankcase
SHELL HELIX PLUS LB 10w30 or SHELL HELIX PLUS ECO 10
Service Refill Capacity: 4.3* Litres (See Note 874)
Manual Transmission
SHELL XGO 75/90
Service Refill Capacity: 2.5 Litres (See Note 684)
Automatic Transmission
Refer to Dealer
Service Refill Capacity: 3.5 Litres
Differential
Combined with Transmission
Power Steering
SHELL ATF IIIG or SHELL HELIX POWER STEERING
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
684 May also use SHELL HELIX SYNTHETIC GEAR OIL.
874 May also use SHELL HELIX PLUS.

http://www.shell.com/static/au-en/downlo...ve_products.pdf

 

[ChiTDI]

Post your pictures (and I don't mean oil pictures) after;
but change the oil before.

 

[Auto-Union]

No, change after a trip. The hot running time will clean the engine, thn dump it for 15w40. If the car had old or unknown oil in it, change before, imo, use that fresh oil to clean the engine, then pick a nice replacement.

 

[Alcibiades]

I'd definitely change the air filter before the trip. How many kilometers are on the current oil? If not many, then change to 10w30 or 5w30 after the trip. If it's been in there a while, change before. If it were mine, I'd change before, simply so that I know exactly what is in there.

 

[crinkles]

Thanks for all the info, it really helps. Yes I used Magnatec 10W-40 in my previous car, a 2005 1.5L Hyundai 4 Cyl. and it worked just fine. I couldn't tell by ear if there was any difference after I did the change.

Over here, the heavy service intervals are usually 7,500 km or 5,000 miles. Now, and escpecially from July I will be driving short trips to and form work mostly. As little as 3 to 7 miles one way so I'd want to follow the heavy schedule, or even do a 3 months OCI.

Good advice about the air filter. Do I need to go with Toyota Parts or can I get something like a valvoline filter at the auto ahop down the road for generic use.

Just for comparison, a 5 L (a 1.3 gallon) batch of Magnatec 10W-40 set me back $32 australian. About $26 US. Filters are about #@$%!15 for brand names.

 

[crinkles]

Quote:

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No, change after a trip. The hot running time will clean the engine, thn dump it for 15w40. If the car had old or unknown oil in it, change before, imo, use that fresh oil to clean the engine, then pick a nice replacement.

---

This makes some sense to me. The oil hasn't even done 500km since I got it so I don't feel like dumping it beforehand - seems like alot of effort to prevent something that is extremely unlikely to occur!

And yes It'd be great to use it (a free oil change from the selling dealer) to burn the engine clean on the road trip. Then change to a 10W30 or 10W to 15W40 once I get on the other side.

 

[crinkles]

Quote:

---

Post your pictures (and I don't mean oil pictures) after;
but change the oil before.

---

I'll try with the pictures, but mostly it will be flat and barren

Might take an oil pic too

 

[01rangerxl]

Quote:

---

Good advice about the air filter. Do I need to go with Toyota Parts or can I get something like a valvoline filter at the auto ahop down the road for generic use.

---

Any brand will be fine, just make sure that the gasket is thick enough to seal the air filter housing.

 

[RogerKlugerAus05]

Crinkles,I also live in Australia and use Castrol Edge 5w30 synthetic in both my Toyotas, a Corolla and a Kluger/Highlander. If it were my Camry I would do my journey then do a change of oil/filter to synthetic then follow Toyota service till warranty expires. The dealer I have to go to uses Valvoline 15w40 which I believe is a blend but in any case far too thick. I take my own oil.
Roger

 

[Alcibiades]

15W-40 does seem very thick for that motor. For whatever reasons, instructions are different between countries/continents for the same motors. Here the recommendation for that motor is 5w30.

I don't know what kinds of air filters you have available there, but I've been using Frams from Walmart. I'd never, ever, use a Fram oil filter though.

 

[deven]

I'd go with Roger's advise of 5w30 or 10w30 the most. Why dont you use 15w40 for a few oil changes then use 10w30 for a few oil changes and get a few used oil analysis to trend the best oil for the car and pick one you're more comfortable with in light of the used oil analysis?