How late to switch to synthetic?
- Thread starter RickC
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pat161
New member
Your 4runner is only at 58k, you will have absolutely no issues switching to synthetic. I picked up my 02 in 2006 and switched it to M1 at 58k and have had no issues whatsoever. I also switched my 97 Tacoma to synthetic at 1k and everyone said my rings would not seat, over 100k later I let the truck go and it never used a drop of oil. Many of these synthetic horror stories are no more than urban legends passed around so much some people begin to believe them. The one you are thinking of is that synthetic is more slippery and fits into smaller spaces, thus it will sneak past your older seals and leak, and perhaps if your seals are going anyway thats true, but if your motor is healthy synthetic oil will not hurt it.
Jeff Kleb
New member
As long as you don't have any leaks (gaskets, seals, etc.) and your engine is in great shape, then there should not be any problems at all.
Just keep an eye on the oil level from time to time - and don't go thinking that you can go >10,000 miles before changing it again.
:bash:
Synthetic oil is great stuff and does offer superior protection, but it still gets dirty from the normal processes with an internal combustion engine.
P.S. When I had my '05 4Runner, I still changed it every 3,000 to 4,000 miles; even though I could have gone much, much longer. Whoever has that truck now has a vehicle that will last them a long, long time.
:biggrin2:
Jeff Kleb
New member
RickC said:
Nice! I likey; I likey. 2005 to 2009 all kind of resemble each other, but they all look outstanding.
:awais:
A black car always looks great when cleaned up & shining in the driveway, huh?
I had my '08 GT washed & waxed on Sunday. She looked pretty - and seemed to be going fast while sitting still. Then there's the unmistakable sound of a V8 engine breathing through dual exhaust pipes. Sweet!
I was at the auto show two weekends ago and got to see a 2010 Mustang GT "in person" and up close. What a nice ride - and they're putting the 315hp "Bullitt" engine in all GT coupes. You should get a look at one soon if you can.
peter78
Super Moderator
I wouldn't say you would have any issues, but I feel it would be O.K. I bought the 04 with 41,000 miles and changed over. I went a little less with the first oil change just to hopefully get rid of some excess dirt. I also used a better filter that cleaned better, that way I might get any stuff out from the previous owner.
When I changed to sythentic oil in 01 with my 01 4Runner, I didn't change the older cars that had over 150,000 miles. I currently own a 91 with 154,000 and think it best not to change over. Last year I sold my 92 Honda to my brother in law and he is super happy with it, 225,000 miles on regular oil, well Castrol GTX every 3,000 miles, if you consider that regular.
I would think twice about a car over 100,000 miles. I might change over, but I might put something in it to clean it up before I changed over.
So, change over, I checked mine after I did it and the oil seemed to get dirty faster, but after the second oil change it got better.
When I changed to sythentic oil in 01 with my 01 4Runner, I didn't change the older cars that had over 150,000 miles. I currently own a 91 with 154,000 and think it best not to change over. Last year I sold my 92 Honda to my brother in law and he is super happy with it, 225,000 miles on regular oil, well Castrol GTX every 3,000 miles, if you consider that regular.
I would think twice about a car over 100,000 miles. I might change over, but I might put something in it to clean it up before I changed over.
So, change over, I checked mine after I did it and the oil seemed to get dirty faster, but after the second oil change it got better.
