Hey everyone, been a member for a few years when I had a question early on about my 2008 4Runner SR5 V6. It is and has been running great since I got it in 2009.

I recently got my oil changed, 135,000 miles, and the guys recommended synthetic. I went with dino oil as I wasn't looking to spend $70 or whatever the price was, I stuck with my typical $22 deal.

That being said, since I am getting up there in mileage and plan to drive it for a long time into the future, is it a good idea to switch over now? If so, from this point on, I will take it over (up until now, it wasn't worth my time).

I am not an expert by any means, but I can change my oil. Any recommendations on type of oil or any other tips? I have actually never changed the oil on the 4Runner.... Any precautions to changing over? Once I start synthetic, am I married to that for the future?

No you are not married to it but as a rule of thumb I pick one oil and stick with it. For as long as I can remember I have been using mobil 1 with excellent results. I change every 10,000 miles and have no problem. currently at 160k on my 4runner and 100k on my wifes gx.

As for tips, the oil filer in the top of the engine bay. Which sucks because it gets oil every where. But! there is a little cup that catches the oil that comes out of the filter and it has a hose bib on it that you can hook come 3/8" (?) ID tubing to, and just run that down to your oil catch pan. Works great.

However! Last time (a week ago) that I changed my oil I let the oil underneath run longer and drain longer (I think I was under the car looking at something else) and because I let it go so long, When I went to "catch" the oil that dumps out of the filter, the filter was empty and the tubing was not needed.

Also, I use the 5 quarts jugs of mobil1 (Yes I know our vehicles use 5.5 quarts) but I find the 5 quart jugs handy to dump the old oil into to send back for recycling. EDIT: No I do not short fill my trucks. I just buy multiple jugs or an extra quart as needed.

And yes you will want to drop the skid plate to get to it.

Thanks Morphyne

Do you use 5w or 10w? I am in South Carolina, if that makes a difference.

Yep -- one or the other. Don't flip-flop, and make sure you change it more often if it's standard oil.