Oil Real vs. Synthetic

[Kanab]

Best post in this thread!!!!!!

It's always the simplest solution that end up being the best solution

 

[bulldog-yota]

It's always the simplest solution that end up being the best solution

SO true, at least that way the owner and the 4Runner stays well lubed

 

[Koz]

You have to remember that the cooling system is designed to do exactly that, cool the engine. The passages in the engine are strategically located through the engine to absorb heat as efficiently as possible. The coolant is designed to absorb and dissipate heat from the engine. The thermostat stays closed until the engine reaches operating temperature, so there is no circulation until it opens. The oil system's main purpose is to provide lubrication, so the oil is circulating while the engine is starting. The oil also provides cooling but is secondary. So the cooling system is going to reach operating temp. sooner then the oil/sys.

P.S. Synthetic oil typically runs approx. 10 to 20 degrees cooler.

Koz

 

[Larry]

I can't believe this conversation. Water heats up quickly, oil takes a lot longer. Most cooling systems have a by-pass so that the water pump circulates water through the block when the theromstat is blocking flow to the radiator. The temperature gauge in the 4Runner (and almost all other vehicles) is stabilized. In other words, when the water temp starts moving up the gauge moves to a position determined by a resistor and stays there. It only moves if there is a big change in temp. You need the water to heat up quickly so the heater works. A rule of thumb for most cars and pickups is that it takes about 15 minutes of highway driving to get the oil temp up to operating temperature. You can try your heater out and figure how long it takes to get some heat out of the cooling system. I just can't believe there's any doubt about oil taking longer to heat up than water. If you're still not sure and have a source of heat and some water and oil you could......

 

[XJeepguy]

IMO I think a lot of people that use synthetic really dont need to be using it . For MANY years I drove 70 miles each day to work , I had a Honda Prelude and put well over 500,000 KM's on it ( 300,000+ miles) , original engine . I changed oil every 10,000 KM's and when I sold it , it barely used a liter of oil per oil change. After fuel went way up I bought a little 1986 Ford Escort with a factory 2.0L diesel in it . 600,000KM's I logged on the original motor . Both of these cars I used Penzoil dino in . Never had a issue with either. Dont know what ,if any advantage it would have been buying Synth .

My 2 cents

XJ

I-Force:

With all due respect, maybe you should read my question a little better before you respond. AS you will notice that Yes, I did make mention that there are a ton of oil posts and YES I am aware that I can use the search button. I was looking for a synopsis on your opinion. I know how to use the search button.

"OK, I know that many, if not all of you have had something to say about oil on this site. How long to wait until changes and what type. I have also searched and found a few complaints about engine knocking and etc."

You should also read further to see that I did post what octane of fuel that I use...

" have found that my engine will ping a little bit (I use 93),"

I understand the idea/premise behind trying to keep the posts together for efficiency purposes but the idea behind a msg board is to post. I didn't ask for a lecture on your idea of what the board is for and the proper way to use it.

I am LOOKING for OPINIONS for my question...Thanks guys!

CV

 

[kn38ms]

If I resided in Alaska or Cali deserts I would be using synthetics for sure.
I'm still thinking about it once my ride gets over 5K miles on it.

 

[<<<<]

If I resided in Alaska or Cali deserts I would be using synthetics for sure.
I'm still thinking about it once my ride gets over 5K miles on it.

You can get Syn cheaply these days (21.00 for 5 quart jug). There is no excuse not to use it.

 

[kn38ms]

You can get Syn cheaply these days (21.00 for 5 quart jug). There is no excuse not to use it.

I totally agree.

 

[97hb]

I use real oil. So far, put about 65k miles on the runner and 120k on the civic. Both look great under the valve covers. Cam lobes still look nice and shiny. No sludge in oil pan either. Used to run syn in my other cars, but was told by an experience engine rebuilder that changing more often is better than running syn with a longer change interval.

 

[Camprunner]

I use real oil. So far, put about 65k miles on the runner and 120k on the civic. Both look great under the valve covers. Cam lobes still look nice and shiny. No sludge in oil pan either. Used to run syn in my other cars, but was told by an experience engine rebuilder that changing more often is better than running syn with a longer change interval.

This brings up a good point ......... My old man would run the cheepest oil and filters you could get and never had any problems with sludge or excessive wear. He would always change it every 3 months or 3k on the dot and live by it.

He would always get 200 to 300K out of all his cars or trucks without a hitch.

I think we all worry about the best oil or the best filter to much just drive the darn thing and change it often it will last a long long time.

 

[peter78]

I agree with the last two posts changing oil often is the key. You read about people going 15,000 to 20,000 on one oil change. Right now I use 3,000 for dyno oil and 5,000 for synthetic. My old Honda has 222,000 miles and still gets good mileage.

I feel a lot of the problems with people getting into trouble is going too long in the changing of oil. To me changing often is more important than the type of oil or filter you use.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I also consider how much time the oil has been in the engine.

I use M1 syn/Puralator PureOne filter and I go about 8000 miles or 9-10 months whatever comes first and my Runner now is a shade under 140k and just had a t-belt/water pump,compression check and a few other maintenance items and fully inspected by Toyota and it's in perfect health for it's age;the only thing that doesn't work is the power antenna which went at 130k.

I drive my 4Runner hard and it sees intermediate trails about 10 times a year and it's been surprisingly trouble free......knock on wood. :biggrin2:

 

[jayhackett03]

So you don't think your synthetic oil gets contaminated at the same rate that convential oil does??????

I can't understand how so many people have this misconception. Sorry, but there's nothing magical about synthetic that prevents it from getting contaminated less than conventionall motor oil.

If you were selling your 4Runner at 50,000 miles and you told me that you only changed the oil 5 times since you've had it, I'd tell you that I'm not interested....

Contamination is one thing, breakdown of polymers and lubrication properties is another.

The oil filter should get rid of any solid contaminates

Its believed that synthetic oil will "break down" less at a molecular level.

 

[jratoll]

I have a V6/2000/4X4/LE and have about 172000 miles, I've been putting M1 Syn Oil since 90K miles on it. I changed oil/oil filter regularly between 7500-8000 miles. Never have problem with pinging, except my gas mileage been about 16/19mpg city/highway. Not sure if this is the norm gas consumption. Muffler and cat converter still original.

 

[bigbsvo]

I agree

So you don't think your synthetic oil gets contaminated at the same rate that conventional oil does??????

I can't understand how so many people have this misconception. Sorry, but there's nothing magical about synthetic that prevents it from getting contaminated less than conventional motor oil.

If you were selling your 4Runner at 50,000 miles and you told me that you only changed the oil 5 times since you've had it, I'd tell you that I'm not interested....

You sir are 100% correct. How can synthetic not get contaminated the same as conventional oil? It can't! It will be just as contaminated as the regular oil and will need to be changed like regular oil needs to be changed.

PERIOD!

 

[Paul_R_Canada]

I could say something directly but not being an engineer I'll keep my trap shut or this becomes a cyclical shouting match of "who's right"

Here's three articles to check, the first two short and too the point, the third a longer more indepth look at synthetic vs dino oils.

MANY of the myths about synthetics, some which USED to be true many many years ago have been once again brought up in this thread - but are not understood, take a few minutes to read these or search for yourself and find the truth. Toyota now sells full synthetic (a large sales sign in my local stealership service dept last week) for your runners - if Toyota NOW says it's good does that make it so? Of course not BUT then if they say NO, that then is also not true..

Both have their place, and it's owners that decide what they prefer.

Three "random" articles I picked of a quick search

Synthetic Oil VS Regular Oil

Synthetic Oil Vs. Natural Oil | eHow.com

Synthetic Versus Conventional Oil- Car Craft Magazine

Okay you can flame the skin off me now :ak472: my .02