Oil and filter recommendation
 

I was wondering what the best choices for oil and filters are. All I can find in the manual is that Toyota recommends SAE 5W-30 Toyota Genuine Motor Oil, 5.2L (5.5 qt.). Since the 4th-gen was designed almost 20 years ago, there might be better oils out there by now. What are currently the best available choices for engine oil and filter?

• SAE 5W-30 or different viscosity?
• Full-Synthetic, Synthetic-Blend, Conventional or High-Mileage oil? (most 4th-gens have a lot of miles on them)
• Toyota Genuine Motor oil or other brand?
• Best filter choice?

Additionally, I would imagine that oil filters come in different shapes and sizes and I can't find any info in the manual about the actual diameter of the filter. How can I tell what size filter to buy?

I’ve been running Mobil 1 5w-30 full synthetic since I purchased it with about 90k on the clock. No issues and it runs great. I have been considering the “high-mileage” variant (just hit 150k) but haven’t done research to see what the difference is.

For filters get Toyota YZZD3 if you have the V6 (1GRFE), this Amazon deal for half a case (5 filters) comes out to less than $5 a filter to your doorstep.


Toyota Genuine Parts 90915-YZZD3 Oil Filter 1/2 Case (QTY 5) Amazon.com: Toyota Genuine Parts 90915-YZZD3 Oil Filter 1/2 Case (QTY 5): Automotive


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Another vote for Mobil1 5w30.

Costco recently started selling a Kirkland branded full synthetic 5w30 by Warren. Same company that distributes amazon oil, which tested well on Project Farm. I haven’t tried Kirkland oil, but if I were to guess, it’s probably quite good.

Been using Mobile1 5w30, then to 5w20, then onto 0w20. I've recently returned to 5w30. I went down in cold viscosity for better cold starts. Yes, this motor was designed 20 years ago, but you sure don't want to run high tech oil in it if it's not required (say 0w16). I'm no oil expert, but just run what the factory calls for. The end.

Filter? I've been using Toyota OEM since the day I got her.

Good luck

oh boy, another oil thread! do a search & you will get all the oil opinions you could ever wish for...

quick & easy answer is, any oil that is API rated & of the correct weight will do fine. all modern oils are more than adequate & most dont vary that much in additives, especially the SN & SN+ rated oils that are dexos1/gen2 rated. pick a brand you like & find it on sale, walmart usually has the best prices on any brand. & if you do some research you will find even their house brand supertech, is an excellent oil & does very well even compared to top $$ oils like amsoil & redline. but you do NOT need to use toyota brand oil!

based on your oil change intervals you can use a synthetic & get 6000-7500+ miles, or use a conventional & change at 3000-5000 miles. oil samples tested show todays oils are more than capable of going that many miles, if the engine is in good shape.

high mile oils are fine to use as well, even in cars with less than 100k miles, HM oils are just a little more robust on the additives & have seal conditioners to keep seals & gaskets in good shape. most brands are about the same price so thats your choice on using HM oils, wont harm anything & you can change back & forth with HM or synthetics all you want.

for filters, the best value are OEM toyota filters bought in bulk as linked to above. or spend more for a good filter like mobil1, k&n, wix, etc, but they are no better than toyota filters & cost more.

for more oil specific questions & education, check out bobistheoilguy.com, they have very knowledgeable members there & guys do all kinds of oil sample tests to show & prove what oils are made of & capable of.

Thanks for the tip. I just paid $11 for one filter from Amazon and I don't remember seeing a "suggestion" for the five pack.

I think I searched “YZZD3 half case” or something along those lines


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Starting 12/26 Sam's is selling Mobile 1 case of six for under $30, 2 case minimum.

I was just looking at the one I had in my cart and it was only 6.xx Prime..

Stick to factory filters and Mobil 1 5w-30. Cant go wrong

Been using Castrol GTX High Mileage Conventional Oil since I got her at 143K with Toyota OEM Filters from the link above.

My mechanic told me that switching from a conventional oil to synthetic when the car has used conventional its whole life can cause some leaking (not too sure if this is true).

But car has 190K now and is running great!

Havoline Pro DS synthetic in the 6 qt box from Walmart for $20 and a Toyota oil filter. Hard to beat the price.

Do the V6 and V8 use the same oil filter? Toyota 90915-YZZD3?

Never mind, found the answer. Yes they do. Also the same filter the 3.4 V6 in my '99 Taco uses so I already have a bunch.

Check out amazon basics fully synthetic oil. I just did an oil change with it and I have no regrets, and it’s way less than mobile or anything else.
https://youtu.be/a9DWGtXpYUc