did they use synthetic?

[RockH]

Just had my second oil change on 2010 TE. Requested synthetic oil, same as last year. Last year my invoice showed under FP-Number: "PKA5 Oil Change Service", then "Toyota 0W20 Synthetic Oil".

This year my invoice has the same "PKA5 Oil Change Service", but no mention of synthetic oil.

How do I know if they used synthetic? Anyone know if "PKA5" denotes synthetic?

Thanks for any insights.

 

[Prolex7]

Just had my second oil change on 2010 TE. Requested synthetic oil, same as last year. Last year my invoice showed under FP-Number: "PKA5 Oil Change Service", then "Toyota 0W20 Synthetic Oil".

This year my invoice has the same "PKA5 Oil Change Service", but no mention of synthetic oil.

How do I know if they used synthetic? Anyone know if "PKA5" denotes synthetic?

Thanks for any insights.

Not trying to be a smartass but you should probably call them or go back up there and just ask. What's your reminder decal on your windshield say? It usually has the oil type on it

 

[Ukie]

You should look for a part # to know what oil have been used. Here's my info:
Name Part # QTY
REPLACEABLE ELEMENT 04152YZZA5 1
0W20-SINGLE QUART (W 002790WQTE01 7

Toyota Owners Toyota Owners might have this info on file for your 4Runner.

 

[Jeremy556]

"How do I know if they used synthetic?"

You don't, and never will. Either DIY or accept your fate at the hands of the dealership.

 

[Jaker]

The factory specifies synthetic, so dealerships are supposed to use synthetic. The only real way to check is to either send it off for analysis, or stand over the tech while he fills 'er up with oil.

Whether or not you call and ask about it won't really make a difference. Even if they didn't use synthetic, I highly doubt they would admit to it.

At the end of the day, I don't think it's really worth worrying about. If you're really worried, just change your own oil next time.

 

[brockeverly]

The factory specifies synthetic, so dealerships are supposed to use synthetic. The only real way to check is to either send it off for analysis, or stand over the tech while he fills 'er up with oil.

Whether or not you call and ask about it won't really make a difference. Even if they didn't use synthetic, I highly doubt they would admit to it.

At the end of the day, I don't think it's really worth worrying about. If you're really worried, just change your own oil next time.

It is worth worrying about if you stick to the 10k intervals. If you cannot trust your dealership to use the correct fluids you paid for, you need to find a new dealership.

 

[RockH]

Thanks for all the feedback. Where the Service Dept should have included the info on the invoice for the oil used they left it blank. I'll call them tomorrow and ask them what's up. I assume it was just an oversight in completing the invoice. Covered under the 2 year complimentary maintenance plan, so Toyota is paying for it.

 

[Ukie]

Thanks for all the feedback. Where the Service Dept should have included the info on the invoice for the oil used they left it blank. I'll call them tomorrow and ask them what's up. I assume it was just an oversight in completing the invoice. Covered under the 2 year complimentary maintenance plan, so Toyota is paying for it.

Register yourself and your 4Runner @ Toyota Owners...you'll see service records shared with Toyota corporate.

 

[RockH]

I checked Toyota.com/Owners, yesterday's invoice isn't posted there yet. The online maintenance history for prior visits has the exact wording that's on my paper invoices, so I don't think there will be any new info when its posted.

Spoke to the Service Dept this morning. Said they didn't list "7 QTS 0W20" on the invoice anymore because they now get it out of a large drum rather than individual 1QT containers. He also said that synthetic is Toyota standard for a 2010 4Runner oil change. I'm OK with that.

Thanks again for all the responses.

RH

 

[NYRunner]

Don't be

...JUST OK WITH THAT

I just had my 40K oil change done and the tech I normally have do my work had a busy day so he passed it to someone else since it was just an oil change~

Wouldn't you know when my guy checked for me the next day it turns out the other guy did NOT use synthetic!

Yes they're changing it out for me when I can bring it in but WTF????



Sorry to hijack a little, but does anyone have any recommendations as to whether I need to do my next oil change sooner to be sure there isn't any of the regular crap still in there?

 

[JB.]

Yes, .00375 days sooner.

 

[nevada]

regular oil will protect it just as well, especially for a one time deal.
im sure they spec synthetic to help with fuel economy. thats a huge struggle for manufactures, with recent legislation.

 

[RockH]

don't go 10,000 miles between oil changes with regular oil. the maintenance manual says every 5,000 miles if the last change wasn't with synthetic.

 

[Ukie]

im sure they spec synthetic to help with fuel economy. thats a huge struggle for manufactures, with recent legislation.

Here's what Toyota claims in a 0W-20 brochure:
Product Benefits:
• Improves fuel economy by increasing the efficiency of your
engines oil system. This can improve fuel efficiency by .4 - .6
miles per gallon when compared to conventional or nonsynthetic
motor oils. Results may vary depending on
temperature, operating conditions and vehicle base fuel
economy.
• Reduces engine friction and provides uniform lubrication
throughout engine to help prevent engine deposits.
• Helps protect engine during extreme operating conditions.
• Provides a quicker oil flow to critical parts of the vehicle
resulting in faster starts and better overall engine protection
over a wide variety of temperatures.
• Easier on the environment and your wallet. For many
consumers, the change to synthetic oil permits extending the
oil drain intervals, which means a reduced waste stream and
cost of ownership

 

[Deadly_Scionide]

This is what it says when I get my oil changed at my dealership.

Hope that helps give you some reference. Also I got my ecu programmed to do the nifty window roll down trick

 

[Deadly_Scionide]

This is what it says when I get my oil changed at my dealership. Note that it says customer pay, even though the maintenance was free.

Hope that helps give you some reference. Also I got my ecu programmed to do the nifty window roll down trick

 

[nevada]

Here's what Toyota claims in a 0W-20 brochure:
Product Benefits:
• Improves fuel economy by increasing the efficiency of your
engines oil system. This can improve fuel efficiency by .4 - .6
miles per gallon when compared to conventional or nonsynthetic
motor oils. Results may vary depending on
temperature, operating conditions and vehicle base fuel
economy.
• Reduces engine friction and provides uniform lubrication
throughout engine to help prevent engine deposits.
• Helps protect engine during extreme operating conditions.
• Provides a quicker oil flow to critical parts of the vehicle
resulting in faster starts and better overall engine protection
over a wide variety of temperatures.
• Easier on the environment and your wallet. For many
consumers, the change to synthetic oil permits extending the
oil drain intervals, which means a reduced waste stream and
cost of ownership

yep, thats what i thought.

imagine, doing that with a dozen different things?
its not a lot, but every little bit counts, it adds up.