2007 Camry 4cyl synthetic oil required?

I hope this doesn't set off a religious debate, but here goes:

I just had the dealer perform an oil change on my '07 Camry (4 cyl) and they used synthetic oil and said it was required. I went to my owners manual and took a quick look and found only grade recommendations and didn't see anything specific about synthetics (I'm not saying it wasn't in there, I didn't do an exhaustive search but checked the places that mentioned lubricants and engine specs.)

A quick google search on synthetics returns an almost overwhelming amount of information and a lot of difference of opinion. Much of this information may be outdated now so I'm not even sure what still applies. My questions:

1) Are synthetics really required for this car or was this just a way for the dealer to pull an extra $14 out of my pocket?

2) Do using synthetics prevent going back to using non-synthetic oil at some future point (read this somewhere but again, article was dated

2000, so could just be false or perhaps no longer true)?

3) Should you really wait for the engine to break in and seal the piston rings before switching to a synthetic? My Camry currently has

5,000 miles on it.

Thanks for any clarification. I hope there is somewhat of a consensus or I'll just get more confused :-)

dc

Reply to
d_cymbal
Loading thread data ...

I don't think that synthetics are required. I would recommend reading your owner's manual carefully and see if it says anything about synthetics.

If it doesn't say anything about synthetics, I would talk to the service manager, tell him or her that you feel that you were ripped off and you want a refund of the difference because synthetic is not required.

There should be no problems switching to conventional oil.

5,000 mi is plenty of time.

It doesn't matter what the other people say: I'm right. ;-)

As far as synthetic oil being required, either it is or isn't. If the dealer claims it is, the dealer should be able to demonstrate this to you.

As far as switching back to conventional, I don't know if people will disagree with me.

Reply to
Jeff

According to the faq section in Toyota's web site updated in May of 2007, all Toyotas come from the factory with conventional oil, so the implication is that synthetic oil is not required.

Reply to
Ray O

Bingo!

As Ray O says, the cars come from the factory with conventional oil. You might give the dealer that information (which he must not be aware of ), and ask for your 14 bucks.

Reply to
mack

If that doesn't work, write to Toyota, letting them know of the technical abilities of the Toyota dealership's when looking up information and that you won't be returning to that dealer any more for service. Send a copy to the president of the dealership and the service manager.

But wait!

There is a technical bulliten on this EG018-06 GF-4 Engine Oil Recommendation. I think TSB recommends 5W-20 motor oil without requiring synthetic.

I don't have the ability to read the TSB without paying for it.

It could be that the toyota dealer only had synthetic with that weight.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

you got hosed... they tried the same sh_t on me when i went to get my oil changed on my Yaris...

Reply to
GO Mavs

So I did complain to the dealer and pointed them to the FAQ on Toyota's website regarding the position on synthetics. They offered to refund the cost of my oil change as a gesture of "good will" but then go on to say (sorry for the caps, this is cut & paste from their email response) "TOYOTA SHIPPED ALL 4 CYLINDER 2007 CAMRYS WITH 0-20 SYNTHETIC OIL. THIS IS THE OIL THAT THEY RECOMMEND FOR YOUR ENGINE - HOWEVER YOU CAN INDEED SWITCH TO CONVENTIONAL OIL".

Who to believe??? If this *is* the recommended oil, shouldn't it be reflected in the manual, or at the least in an update on the website? It's awfully confusing if this is the case. Everything "official" I have been able to find goes against this, so I am still wondering if the dealer is just blowing smoke....Maybe I should just contact Toyota directly and see what they say.....

Reply to
d_cymbal

Yes.

Remember, the dealership isn't related to Toyota. It's an independent business. And they will tell you anything they can to get you to spend more money.

Have the services done that the manual specifies, and use the parts the manual specifies. That goes for oil as well.

Reply to
Elmo P. Shagnasty

I think they changed the recommendation in June, 2006. I don't think that the recommendation is for synthetic oil, but is just for 5W20 whether or not it is synthetic.

Interestingly, Toyota doesn't even talk about 5W20 oil on its genuine Toyota site:

formatting link

On

formatting link
there's a tool for finding the proper motor oil. They recommend Mobil Clean 5000 5W20, or Mobil Clean 7500 5W20 or mobil1 synthetic - the same as for my '97 Ford with 140,000 mi.

Personally, if you plan on keeping the car for over 100,000 mi, I would recommend using the synthetic, otherwise, I would use 5W20 conventional.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

Not that I've ever heard of as far as toyota.. Synthetic oil is better though..

Not that I know of. Older cars that have used dino oil often have problems switching to synthetic.. Shouldn't apply to you..

Many modern engines are spec'ed so tight, it really doesn't matter. IE: corvettes, etc come with synth oil from the factory. Doesn't seem to bother GM.. But, if I rebuilt an engine, I'd generally prefer to use dino oil for break in. Then switch to synth later if I wanted to.. On a normal "older" engine, or maybe even a modern one that is rebuilt, using synth oil on break in can cause glazing, etc of the cyl walls.. It's too slippery in that case for a good break in of the rings, cyl walls.. Some of the "high spec" newer engines hardly need a break in... :/ The amount of wear during break in is real low on some of those.

Just my 29 cents worth.. Myself, I'd keep using the synth oil, unless you plan to change the oil every 3-5 k, which in that case it doesn't matter a whole lot. But say in my case, I plan to drive mine till it rots, so I use synth oil to slightly reduce the long haul engine wear. It's also less prone to gelling, etc.. It's also lots better in real cold weather.. But I use the castrol synth blend as a compromise.. I don't use full synthetic.. Costs too much being I change my oil every 5k no matter what I use. MK

Reply to
nm5k

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Toyota dealer who just happens to be out of 5/20 dino oil? Maybe he's out of oil filters too? Hardly likely.

Reply to
mack

I emailed Toyota directly. This is the response I received.

"Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We apologize for the concerns you are having with your 2007 Camry's recent service by the Toyota dealership.

Please be advised that all new Toyota vehicles are delivered from the factory with standard engine oil.

Use of synthetic oil, however, would not negatively impact your 2007 Camry, as long as the recommended oil viscosity is observed, SAE 5W-20 or 0W-20.

It is our recommendation that once you have selected type of engine oil you prefer, standard or synthetic, that you stay within that medium.

Please accept our apologies for this situation and for any inconvenience you have experienced. If you wish to discuss the matter in more detail, we encourage you to contact the Customer Relations Manager at your Toyota dealership; we feel confident that he or she will address your concerns in a courteous and professional manner.

It is through correspondence such as yours that we are able to continue to improve Toyota dealership services, and we sincerely appreciate the time you have taken to bring this matter to our attention.

If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us. Your email is documented at our National Headquarters under file #XXXXXXXXX

Toyota Customer Experience"

So it seems like the service department at my dealer is either seriously misinformed, liars, or have access to super double-secret Toyota information that mere mortals cannot access :-)

Reply to
d_cymbal

My guess is that the only 5W20 oil Toyota dealer only had in stock was synthetic.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

I suspect that nobody supplies 5W-20 non-synthetic oil.

Reply to
Ray O

Mobil and Quaker State (like Jiffy Lube, owned by Shell) both sell 5W-20 non-synthetic oil.

That doesn't mean that any retailers carry the oil, however.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

Looks like Mobil does....

formatting link

Reply to
Scott in Florida

OK, now TWO people have pointed out that my suspicions are wrong!

Reply to
Ray O

Yeah, but can you buy it at your local WalMart, NAPA or AutoZone? I looked at Target and couldn't find it.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

I'll never know about Target. I wrote to the CEO of Target to gripe about them making the Salvation Army bell ringers leave a few years ago. I told him, I would not spend a cent in Target till they let the bell ringers back.

He did send me a nice letter back explaining their reasons.

Nice letter or not, this guy does NOT do business with Target.

Reply to
Scott in Florida

Ford does, Motorcraft.

Reply to
RT

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.