Oil Changes - Yes. Again...

[StringPhan]

I know this topic always gets brought up, but I have yet to find a definitive answer: I just purchased a 2006 SE V6 and the recommended Toyota oil change - I think 4,500 or something like that - is coming up. Should I request any special type of oil? Bring my own? I know not the difference between synthetic and "dino" oil; which is better for my engine/my specific model? Brands? Suggestions? Anyone...

Thanks in advance.

- James
(The proud, but confused new 4Runner owner)

 

[alpha]

If you request synthetic and not do it yourself, it will be really expensive. You could bring your own, but I don't always trust that. Never know, they could just keep the good stuff to themselves.

My recommendation, do it yourself. You'll save money if go synthetic. Otherwise, just go for an oil change. Dealerships don't always carry too many brands, so..

As for brands if you do it yourself, a lot of people like Amsoil, expensive and not easy to find locally. A lot like Mobil 1. you can do a search on here, and also check out www.bobistheoilguy.com . I think the OEM filter does really well, unless you want to install an Amsoil bypass system.

The oil is really easy to change on the V6. Especially with the filter being on top.

 

[trd_style]

i have read an article about synthetic doesn't do much. so i just went ahead and did both blends. haha. but then i heard of Royal Purple. i'm not sure if that works well. i heard that Royal Purple releases more horsepower rather than losing it. so it's unleashing the true hp out of your car. which what i heard. anyone ever tried Royal Purple before? haven't find them at my local stores.

but yes, alpha is right. if you want to go synthetic, you should change your oil yourself. it's really not that hard. plus, dealerships of course usually use brand oils. but for mechanics, sometimes they use 'used oil' which was recycled and change that oil for you. not sure if those are good or not but that's what i heard from a friend.

 

[NCSCOTT]

I agree with both of the above post. You can do a synthetic oil change yourself for cheaper than you can get your oil changed at Jiffy lube or the dealership with dino oil. With the V-6 it is a piece of cake. I do not even put it up on jacks or ramps. I use the jack and jack stands to rotate the tires but not for the oil change.

$21 for a 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 at Wal-Mart. $5 for an extra quart to make a total of 5.5 quarts. Save the other half for the next change ($2.50/Change). $4-5.00 for a filter at the dealership parts department, or you can get a case of filters on ebay for $36 to $38 for 10 filters =$3.60-$3.80 a filter. Max total = $28.50 worst case for DIY.

$36 for dino oil or $50+ for Synthetic at Jiffy lube or the dealer.

Learning to change your own oil + a Job done right . Priceless

 

[lojeff]

$21 for a 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 at Wal-Mart. $5 for an extra quart to make a total of 5.5 quarts.

Is that a sale price or regular price? I have been paying 5.25ish for individual quarts. The 5-quart looks like the way to go. Is Walmart the cheapest you've seen?

BTW, I have the V8 which is takes more time (oil filter behind skid plates) and I feel that DIY is the way to go. I have 2 cars that I DIY and the way I see it, if I use dino, I do it for about 1/2 what Jiffy or Stealer charges. If I go synthetic, DIY is like a free oil upgrade.

 

[NCSCOTT]

Walmart usually has the Standard Mobil One 5 Quart Jug for about $21.00. They also have Extended performance for about $25.00 for the jug. These are not sale prices. They may vary from state to state. Yes Walmart is the cheapest I have found. They are the only place I have found that carries the 5 Quart jugs of Mobil 1.

I believe the V-8 takes 6.5 Quarts. If it were me I would just buy 2 jugs and use the second to make up the 1.5 quart difference for 3 changes. That is cheaper than buying the extra 2 quarts each change. Just save an old 1 quart bottle to measure out the oil. $21/3 changes = $7 per change.

I use the standard Mobil 1 since I am still using the 5000 mile interval. Yes it is overkill and I could go longer between changes but as long as I am still under warranty I will maintain the 5000 mile interval.

 

[peter78]

I know this topic always gets brought up, but I have yet to find a definitive answer: I just purchased a 2006 SE V6 and the recommended Toyota oil change - I think 4,500 or something like that - is coming up. Should I request any special type of oil? Bring my own? I know not the difference between synthetic and "dino" oil; which is better for my engine/my specific model? Brands? Suggestions? Anyone...

Thanks in advance.

- James
(The proud, but confused new 4Runner owner)

When you go to the dealer they use the brand they is best for them. My local dealer uses Kendall and of course they use the Toyota filter. I would make sure you use the correct wieght which is 5 W 30 and you change it often. I would say 5,000 or less. You will find different Toyota dealers use different brands of oil.

I do change my own oil. I use Castrol GTX 5 W 30 on my two older cars and I use Mobil 1 on my 4Runner. Recently Pep Boys has had ads in the Sunday paper for Castrol for $1.29 which includes a $7.20 rebate on a case. Still at $1.89 that is good, stores have been having a quart for about $2.30 a piece. I have 2 cases of Castrol, about a 1 year supply so I am in good shape. For Mobil 1 I buy in at Costco for $23 for a case of 6 bottles. That is a little less than $4 a piece. Of course the price can change, a few years ago it was $21 a case. For the filters and the teflon washers I buy from a on-line Toyota dealer for about 40% off.

 

[alpha]

Re: Re: Oil Changes - Yes. Again...

For Mobil 1 I buy in at Costco for $23 for a case of 6 bottles. That is a little less than $4 a piece. Of course the price can change, a few years ago it was $21 a case. For the filters and the teflon washers I buy from a on-line Toyota dealer for about 40% off.

The local Costco has raised the Mobil 1 price to ~ $28 I believe. I wish it was still cheaper. So next oil change, I may go to walmart to buy the 5 quart. I still have an extra 1.5 quarts from Costco packs. Hmm.. unless Costco lowers price sometime between now and the next oil change, which will be a while since i just changed it about a couple weeks ago.