mobile1 supersync'ed

[Koz]

Under normal use, using dino oil and changing it at 5K miles, you will not have any problems. Toyota engines are very gentle on oil. The only problem Toyota had was sludge in a couple older V6s. I had an Avalon with one of those engines and when I checked the engine at close to 100K miles it look spanking new, of course I ONLY used synthetic. It seems that the people who used synthetic didn't experience this problem. That should tell you something.

The ONLY reason the factory doesn't put synthetic motor oil in is cost. Why would they put in oil that cost 3 times more and has to be changed on a regular basis that they decide when. Also oil related failures do NOT happen. But think about this; why do they now use synthetic trans fluid? Because by using synthetic fluid they WILL reduce expensive failures. Also you will see that high performance engines (with turbos, etc.) that have experienced failures mandate synthetic. The bottom line is; either one will do but there are many other aspects and purposes of the motor oil and synthetics do it much better. If you take the time to research this subject you will see that there is a big difference between the two.

You may find this interesting! A 1999 Explorer that used a special filtering system has proven to keep synthetic oil safe to use for over 20K miles so far. Lets see Dino oil do that!


http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=003212;p=0

Koz

 

[07runner]

Did a search on the Lexus web site under synthetic oil. It said synthetic can be used at the first oil change, stay with synthetic dont go back to regular oil, does not extend maintance schedule. Said nothing about (Not Recommended)

Something that did get my attention was the official statement from Lexus on the web site concerning excessive oil consumption. If you burn more than 1 quart of oil in 1200 miles then Lexus considers it excessive. ( THIS IS A OFFICIAL STATEMENT)!!!!!!!!

Maybe the use of synthetic oil in the 4 Runner is not such a bad choice after all. To make a official statement, yes they say (Official Statement) that to burn that much oil in only 1200 miles is OK, you better do everything that you can, to protect the engine.

I really believe that petro is all you need, but after this thing on oil consumption, I may use synthetic after all, it will cost about $650 more over the course of 100,000 miles.

But to be told that burning a quart of oil every 1200 miles is not excessive to me is bull sh*t.

Based on the official statement regarding oil consumption, it is now my opinion that synthetic oil may be a smart choice after all.

 

[07runner]

What fluid are they using in the auto transmission? What is (WS?) What is the current maint schedule for the transmission.?

 

[boston_kevin]

07Runner - I think almost everyone agrees with you that Synthetic is an amount of extra protection over Dino oil that may or may not be needed. I think a lot depends on the owner and what they are willing to pay for and how much they believe that extra protection is worth. The other thing is how long do you plan to keep your vehicle and what do you want to do with it? All of my vehicles I keep for ~150k miles and I tow and offroad many times per year.

Manufacturers are not going to recommend synthetic per se because of 2 reasons. 1) You are excluding a vast number of people who may not be able to afford synthetics (that extra $25-30 per oil change can add up) or who don't want to spend the money - this is not limited to 4runners but to all non-luxury autos. and 2) If they did recommend synthetics, they would have to start producing them (because they only recommend their brand of oil and filter) which would piss off one of their major partners - the oil refineries. They are also not going to equip their vehicles (again non-luxury, non-special interest) with synthetic from the factory because they have shown that switching from synthetic back to dino and back again a couple of times will damage the seals and truly damage the engine. The generic public does not read the owner's manuals until it a problem occurs, until then, they are happy doing what they have always done since their parents owned cars.

Personally, the extra degree of protection from Synthetic is worth the small amount of extra cost.

 

[Koz]

What fluid are they using in the auto transmission? What is (WS?) What is the current maint schedule for the transmission.?

A special Toyota ONLY synthetic that requires NO maintenance. If service is needed there will be some type service light indication on the dash.

Koz

 

[Boston_Runner]

It is not only the non-luxury Toyotas that dont use synthetics, The Lexus GX and RX doesnt use them from the factory either. Let me ask you guys a question, do you think you get better mileage, or improved performance or cooler running temperature when you switch over synthetics?

 

[tcpoob]

Let me ask you guys a question, do you think you get better mileage, or improved performance or cooler running temperature when you switch over synthetics?

probably nothing appreciably noticeable in the short run but hey it's the "warm and fuzzy feeling" ;-)

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

Hey, guys I'm going to stop wasting my money on synthetic oil from now on and start using regular oil so I can save my money so I can dine and have wine tasting sessions , brook brothers shopping, and country club golfing with my high class buddy and have all the hot chick out on my Fountain line drinking crys-tal light out of my fine dollar tree crystal glasses. Even if they get drunk and happen to break one it no big deal as long as they drink it out of the glasses and not the bottle I'm down with that! :cheers:

 

[Koz]

Let me ask you guys a question, do you think you get better mileage, or improved performance or cooler running temperature when you switch over synthetics?

The anwser is YES. I have done dyno testing on motorcycles that have shown up to 3hp gains just from using synthetic motor oil. I have seen tests that show a 10 degree drop in oil temp when using it and there have been many documented (small) increases in gas mileage.

There is NO question that synthetic oil is better in EVERY way. The question is does it matter and is it worth the cost!

Koz

 

[mikeynavy1]

I agree. I am a brand new owner of a 2006 4Runner, and traded in a modded 2002 Nissan SE-R Spec V. I used synthetic in that car exclusively, and swapped out 1 time for a synthetic blend. There was a noticeable difference in how smooth the engine ran. I also noticed a small fuel mileage gain, though not a whole lot. You can also run the synthetic for longer, and I'm not sure how Toyota would figure out if you went 7500 miles (Mobil 1's claim) vs. 5000. You aren't required to use the dealer for oil changes so they won't know. I went with the older Mobil 1 Supersyn for 8000 miles, before their 7500 claim, and when I checked my oil it still looked new. The new Mobil 1 7500 is even better. When I hit the 5K mile mark, I'll be putting in Mobil 1.

On another note, the comment before on the oil consumption. That isn't limited to Lexus...Nissan has the same policy. They made a crappy 4-cylinder in the QR25DE that had major oil consumption problems, and some people were burning off over 1 quart/1000 miles. On an engine that only holds 4.5 quarts there's no way it would ever make it to the next oil change. That is why you always keep a spare quart at home and check your oil frequently, regardless of the vehicle you drive. Keep it at the top of the cross-hatch on the dipstick If you have any kind of oil consumption...take it to the dealer and get it tested.

 

[Koz]

Just to clarify; the Mobil 5000 is conventional oil, Mobil 7500 is a synthetic blend, and Mobil 1 Extended and Mobil 1 (original) are full synthetic. Each oil is supposed to last the indicated miles that is in the specific title, Mobil 5000 lasts 5K miles, Mobil 7500 lasts 7.5K miles, etc. The regular Moble 1 lasts 1 year and does not specify miles. When the original first came out it had a 25K mile warranty until the OEMs pitched a fit and Mobil soon removed the 25K mile wording. ALL these oil's warranty state that you should change the oil at the OEM recommended change interval. I've seen UOA that shows the top full synthetics can provide safe protection up to 1 year with mileage over 10K miles.

I recommend using full synthetic and having a UOA done after 1 year. This will verify the oil is safe to use up to a year and you will have proof in case of a warranty issue.

Koz

 

[Toyboomer]

oil change

I have a 06 Sport V8. After reading this thread and my owners manual, and other sources over the years, I have several thoughts. I live at 8,700 ft., drive in cold and hot conditions from 4,000 ft. to 10,000 ft and do some light towing. The vehicle is garaged so I don't do many cold starts at very cold temps so intend to stay with 5W30. I pull several mountain passes that challenge any engine for at least 5 miles at a stretch. I plan to change at 1,500 mi. using regular dino oil and, as recommended by Toyota if going to synthetic, begin using synthetic at my first scheduled 5,000 mi. change. While I don't do serious offroading I think my circumstances may qualify for "extreme" conditions in which case I think the synthetic has an edge. In addition, at 8,000 ft. I've already lost about 25% of the stated horsepower. The comments here have helped me reach a conclusion on the matter that I think is reasonable.

 

[rockinrobin47]

Re: mobil1 supersync'ed

You can get it done at a Wal Mart Tire and Lube Express for under $40 for up to 5 quarts of oil. You'd then need to pay the cost of the 6th quart which is somewhere around $5. So, it would be around $45.00. In addition, they vacuum it, check the air pressure in the tires, clean the windshield and check the other fluids.

QUOTE]Originally posted by tcpoob
today is the 1st time i'd the 05 runner v6 filled with synthetic oil - mobile1. costed nearly $60 out of the door with 10% off toyota coupon. is that a fair price? hope it's worth it. on the plus side, i get a $10 dunkin'donuts gift cert from toyota. this is the coupon from mail, for registered toyota owners, i am guessing. must be a regional thing what perk comes along.

i never figure out this stealership service dept - years ago they were horrible. last year or two it aint too bad - when i replaced timing belt on a '97 camry, they suggested to NOT replace the water pump as according to the tech, it's still good. and today when i wanted the tires on the runner also rotated (never rotated for 14k miles), they said no need as it showed even wear.

the reason i went for the synthetic is, in addition to the valued recommendation from many here, the regular dino oil always checked out dark brown not too long after an oil change - making me wonder if they really did the work.

we'll see how mobile1 fares in a month or two. [/QUOTE]