Changing oil weights/type

[simple]

Hey guys,

I remember reading awhile back on here (but can't find the thread) that mixing synthetic and regular, or switching back and forth isn't really an issue. I also read TSB on here that 5w20 was approved for the 06 and up v6. I figured that my 04 has the same engine as the 06 v6, so for the past 6-7k I've been running fully synthetic 5w20. Well, thought I would switch back to 5w30 so I bought some valvoline max synthetic blend for really cheap at walmart. Its only been 1k since my last change, but over 5 months. I'm driving cross country on friday so thought I should change the oil. Anyway I had no plans to change the filter, but compltely forgot I have 5w20 in my engne right now. Whats my best course of action?

1.) Go buy a filter, change out oil
2.) drain filter, put it back on then change out weight
3.) Exchange the 30w for 20w and leave the filter

I hope you can understand what I wrote...I feel like a teenage schoolgirl wrote it.

 

[CookieRoe]

1) change oil AND filter.

If you leave the filter, it will have some "use" on it. I'm sure its negligible (even ofter ONLY 1K of use). Besides, it's only, at most $12. If you're driving cross country, wouldn't you want the 20W oil for better fuel econ?? And yes, as far as I know, the V6 is unchanged throughout the 4gen (correct me if I'm wrong).

Have a safe drive!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

1) change oil AND filter.

If you leave the filter, it will have some "use" on it. I'm sure its negligible (even ofter ONLY 1K of use). Besides, it's only, at most $12. If you're driving cross country, wouldn't you want the 20W oil for better fuel econ?? And yes, as far as I know, the V6 is unchanged throughout the 4gen (correct me if I'm wrong).

Have a safe drive!

x2:iagree:

Another thought is just run it... I wouldn't hesitate to run run up to 7k or 7.5k on the 5w-20 synthetic blend especially with a non-towing cross-country drive. If your towing I'd opt for a fresh start and (at this time of year) I'd use 10w-30. There's so many opinions on this subject... Who knows what the perfect answer is. I don't think you can go wrong if you don't exceed 7.5k (non-towing) especially considering lots of highway miles.
:cheers:

 

[NCSCOTT]

x2:iagree:

Another thought is just run it... I wouldn't hesitate to run run up to 7k or 7.5k on the 5w-20 synthetic blend especially with a non-towing cross-country drive. If your towing I'd opt for a fresh start and (at this time of year) I'd use 10w-30. There's so many opinions on this subject... Who knows what the perfect answer is. I don't think you can go wrong if you don't exceed 7.5k (non-towing) especially considering lots of highway miles.
:cheers:

:iagree:

I would run it the way it is. I have been going 6k between changes on my 04 since 50k miles. I now have 108k with no problems. I have been running 5w20 full synthetic in my 04 since Mar 08/76k miles with no problems. I also read the same TSB and asked the Dealership service Dept and they said they were putting 5w20 in everything 2000 and up. I would not hesitate to switch between 5W30 & 5W20.

 

[Nuke]

Just drive.

I use M1 oil & filter AND I tow frequently and I do my oil changes at 8,000 mile intervals (10,000 miles when I wasn't towing). After more than 200,000 miles on each of my previous 2 T4R's doing oil changes in the same manner, I'm comfortable.

The 5W20 vs 5W30 is a preference; I don't believe one is any better than the other but since my OM says 5W30 for my V6, that's what I stick with. I think 5W20 helps meet the CAFE requirements.

And synthetic and dino are compatible so don't sweat if you ever need to mix. I just wouldn't allow my "mixed" oil to go beyond 5,000 miles or 6 months.

 

[VNT]

I would stick with what the OM recommends...