10K miles before switching to Synthetic oil? Sound right?

[Casper]

Ive been reading up here on the board, as a new member should do before posting. Still have a mental issue with something though. As someone that comes from the realm of all cars have synthetic oil in them already, im re learning the conventional to synthetic swap. Dealer told me that they have some research by one of their techs that states that you should swap at 10K miles. Any truth, any additional info?

All the other cars ive ever had have either been syn from day one or were used and had 10K+ on them already.

As a sorta side note, they did mention that using a blend was ok, but not full syn. I understand that crank bearing seating and ring seating is important but im just not following 100% here. In aviation (my field) new engines use a mineral oil that actually allows abbrasive metal shavings to help seat and seal the metal and then after than you swap to a ashless dispursant that acts like normal oil....so maybe thats the case here.

thoughts?

 

[<<<<]

Second oil change sounds fine. I switched to syn @ 7,500 miles.

 

[Casper]

Thanks man,


im still interested to know the theory behind it....but works for me

 

[bulldog-yota]

Theory:
Synthetic oil is far less likely to break down than dino. So it provides superior protection to your engine. The issue is that a new engine still needs to "break in" so by running syn oil, this process will take longer.

With all that said, some cars are supplied with syn from the factory and some people never "break in" their engines. Neither seem to have an ill effect on engine life. Syn does provide better protection and does seem to be less likely to break down. SO it costs more but gives you some benefit.

I ran dino for 20k miles before switching, but I noticed at about 10k the engine loosened up properly.

All in all switching at 10k should be fine.

 

[Boaz]

FWIW
Here is Amsoil's advice on converting to synthetic oil

Switching to Synthetic

 

[Casper]

much appreciated guys...goes along the lines that I had set, but it is nice to have some toyota automotive backing...

 

[DaveS]

If you are going synthetic you may want to think about the TRD air filter as well - better air filtering to reduce the particles which end up in the oil from the air in the fuel-air mixture - more relevant when your oil changes are less frequent - it also washable and reusable unlike the regular paper filters.

I think there is something about the use of better air filters in conjunction with Synthetic oils in the Motor Oil bible (there is a link to that somewhere on this forum).

 

[Casper]

Dave,

thanks for the info and I have looked into pannel filters already but as someone that came from a car that had Mass Air Flow Sensor problems from a K&N filter, ill probably stay away.

I also took a darn good look at the stock Toyota air filter and as someone who comes from the very high end performance market, that is one well designed filter. Sure you might be able to pick up a bit more power but in the end its not going to make a huge difference especially when your not racing it or towing ALL the time.

Sure i would love a little more induction noise under harder acceleration but as someone who has expereienced the ups and downs of modifying a vehicle, generally you loose out.

Thanks for the heads up though, its great to have members of a board that are interested in leading newer members to ideas and thoughts.

 

[Jase810]

I've searched the forum high and low and couldn't really find the answer to my question. I would like to know will switching from full syn to a syn blend will harm my 4R. I have a 2007 with about 35K on the clock.

A little history on the truck:
Bought it with 19K on the clock. Oil changed every 5k miles with reg oil. Last oil change I went to full syn. Now im wondering if i can go back to reg oil or a syn blend?

Thanks in advance.