Toyota Synthetic Oil Update

While one can, why would one?

After trying Mobil 1, I might find I really don't put on enough mileage to justify synthetic oil. The dealer recommends changing oil every 3K or 3 months, whichever comes first. I would like to go 5K or six months using synthetic oil. It looks like I will average only 8,000 miles a year on this

2004 Sienna. However, it still makes me wonder why Toyota is making this statement. What is the real potential downside in switching oils? Do they use a different oil seal material or design? They certainly know something we don't know about this. I sure would like to hear from a Toyota tech to get the real skinny. Charles Ranheim

They certainly know something we don't know about this. I sure would like to hear from a Toyota tech to get the real skinny. Charles Ranheim

I used only 5W-30 Mobil 1 in my 1990 Accord 4. With 132,000 miles on it a local mechanic took it upon himself to switch me to conventional oil. Within

2,000 miles I needed to have the pan's seal redone to cure a leak. Scientific proof; no. but very interesting.

Richard.

All the official Toyota dealers in my SouthEast region offer either Toyota oil 5W-30 or Mobil1 5W-30. For my 04 Sienna, the Toyota Express Lube outlets charge a $ 25 - $ 30 surcharge for Mobil1 service.

The Mobil 1 oil costs them about $15-$20 more for the 5 quarts needed. The rest is the normal profit margin on all parts. Mobil 1 is well worth it IMO, especially if you extend your oil change interval more than you would with conventional (up to 7,500 miles max).

I agree with your assessment. However, as long as my car is under warranty, I'd hesitate to stretch the oilchange mileage beyond the factory schedule.

"Mark A" wrote>

What assessment?

Does it hurt?

If there is no sludge problem why did they change the owners manual to read

5,000 miles for 2004 model newer v6 engines from 7,500 miles for 2002 models, even after the engine change in August 2003 ????

Gordon

From my perusing various re petroleum vs.. synthetic it has been stated by people smarter than I that synthetic oil screws seals and gaskets quicker than petrolemu based oil

Gordon

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==========================================================================> > Want one? GET one!

> > ==========================================================================> >

Raneman-GR wrote: || If there is no sludge problem why did they change the owners manual || to read 5,000 miles for || 2004 model newer v6 engines from 7,500 miles for 2002 models, even || after the engine change in August 2003 ????

I've always had the SYNTHETIC oil, in my 99 Camry V6 changed every 6000 KILOMETERS!! And NO sludge.

Raneman-GR wrote: || From my perusing various re petroleum vs.. synthetic it has been || stated by people smarter than || I that synthetic oil screws seals and gaskets quicker than petrolemu || based oil || || Gordon

Bullshit. I have NEVER had any leaks using synthetic Toyota oil in my 99 Camry V6.

|| || || "Herb Ludwig" wrote in message || news:xOUNd.15262$ snipped-for-privacy@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net... ||| Does it hurt? ||| ||| ||| ||| "Gary L. Burnore" wrote in message ||| news:cu8qkn$5k4$ snipped-for-privacy@badtz-maru.databasix.com... |||| On Mon, 07 Feb 2005 13:05:48 GMT, "Herb Ludwig" |||| wrote: |||| ||||| I agree with your assessment. |||| |||| What assessment? |||| -- |||| gburnore@databasix dot com ||| ||| -------------------------------------------------------------------------- || - |||| How you look depends on where you go. ||| ||| -------------------------------------------------------------------------- || - |||| Gary L. Burnore | || Ý?º??º?³Ý???º???º?ÝÝ? |||| | || Ý?º??º?³Ý???º???º?ÝÝ? |||| DataBasix | || Ý?º??º?³Ý???º???º?ÝÝ? |||| | Ý? 3 4 1 4 2 ?? 6 9 0 |||| 6 9 Ý? Black Helicopter Repair Svcs Division | Official Proof |||| of Purchase |||| || ==========================================================================|||| Want one? GET one!

|||||| =========================================================================

Are these "people who are smarter than you," or just people with strong opinions? I never used synthetic oil in the "early years" but have used it in various vehicles for the last 8 years and I have never seen any problem related to the use of synthetic oil. I think the "smarter than you" people have strong opinions based on obsolete data. I have strong doubts (i.e. opinions) about the economic advantage of synthetic oil. For instance, I do not give credence to claims of significant fuel economy improvements related to using synthetic oil instead of a similar grade of fuel conserving conventional oil. I do believe (another opinion) Mobil 1 is "better" oil than say Havoline conventional oil of the same grade. However, I doubt that this "goodness" really results in a net savings to the typical car owner. I think (another opinion) the vast majority of drivers can drive almost any car (even a Toyota) 200,000 miles or more using a good quality conventional oil changed at 5000 mile intervals. I believe most oil related failures are related to improper maintenance and not to the type of oil used (conventional or synthetic). There are a few people out there who really work their engines hard (lots of cold starts, high speed driving, or towing), or who live in extreme conditions (really hot or really cold) that might benefit from using a true synthetic oil, but they are the exception rather than the rule.

Ed

It was true when synthetic oils for street use appeared on the market. It is NOT true anymore.

SNIP

SNIP

Good quality synthetic oils DO reduce wear and improve gas mileage. When I switched my minivan over to synthetic oil (Amsoil and Mobil 1) I noticed a

7-8% reduction in gas used. JP