Oil recommendation?

[MikeInNH]

If synthetics are overkill, then why are they standard in my of todays motors.

Less then 10% of all engines made and sold in the US require synthetic. And of the ones that do...do so because of 0w-20 oil weight requirement. That weight oil only comes as a synthetic.

Also....I can show you MANY MANY vehicles with well over 400 and even 500 thousand miles that used nothing but regular dyno oil.

Is it overkill?? Depends on your situation. I do a lot of towing during the summer. And a lot of skiing during the winter where sometime temps can get down t0 -20. I also tend to keep my vehicles well past 300k miles. So in my situation synthetic isn't overkill. But for MOST people...synthetic oil is overkill. You live in a more tempered climate...and don't do much towing (if any) and not a lot of off-roading..then yes synthetic is overkill.

 

[jwyshrek]

Ah, motor oil thread...ranks right up there with religion and politics...eace:

 

[Houligan]

I just picked up an 04 4Runner with the 4.7L V8 with 160k miles on the clock, and am trying to decide if I should stick with the same oil I have been using on my Subaru’s that I have been driving for the past 9 years.

Does anyone have expertise using Shell Rotela T6 in the Toyota motors? If so, please let me know your thoughts. Or if anyone has any info or input at all, give me a shout. Thanks!!

 

[AuSeeker]

Shell Rotella T6 is a diesel oil, which aren't recommended for use in gasoline engines becuase of the additive package, it would be better to use a oil recommended for use in gasoline engines.

 

[bombventure]

I like Mobil 1 FS. Went 7k before I did my oil change last week, no notice in any oil loss and the color was still good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Houligan]

Shell Rotella T6 is a diesel oil, which aren't recommended for use in gasoline engines becuase of the additive package, it would be better to use a oil recommended for use in gasoline engines.

Saying it is not recommended for gasoline engines is a very ill-informed and misguided statement. Using a desiel oil in a gasoline motor application has many upsides for added protection and longevity due to its more robust formula.

 

[AuSeeker]

Saying it is not recommended for gasoline engines is a very ill-informed and misguided statement. Using a desiel oil in a gasoline motor application has many upsides for added protection and longevity due to its more robust formula.

If your VERY WELL INFORMED AND WELL GUIDED statement is true then why is it that all motor oils are not forumulated the same as a diesel oil!!

Shell Oil itself will recommend a non diesel oil for gasoline engines, they recommend Formula Shell Full Synthetic Oil for gas engines and NOT Rotella.

 

[RedSled]

Saying it is not recommended for gasoline engines is a very ill-informed and misguided statement. Using a desiel oil in a gasoline motor application has many upsides for added protection and longevity due to its more robust formula.

I e-mail Shell about that, because i was using it in my 02 Runner, and they said it is NOT recommended for gas vehicles because it will ruin the cats. over time.

 

[Guyerst]

I've always just grabbed whichever name brand synthetic or semi-synthetic is on sale.

This last change, Motorcraft semi was on sale... and how much quieter the engine is while driving has astounded me. I've seen people comment on that bob is the oil guy forum about how their car/truck seems to run better on a certain oil. I've tried just about every brand out there and have never noticed a difference until this time.

Still not convinced an oil can make this much difference, so I plan on using a different oil at the next change and see if it gets "noisier." However, the engine is significantly quieter right now than it has been for the last 50k miles, and the only difference is this is the first time I have used motorcraft oil on this vehicle. I have used it on other vehicles and didn't notice a difference.

Would be interested to see someone else try it and see if they notice a difference.

 

[Houligan]

If your VERY WELL INFORMED AND WELL GUIDED statement is true then why is it that all motor oils are not forumulated the same as a diesel oil!!

Shell Oil itself will recommend a non diesel oil for gasoline engines, they recommend Formula Shell Full Synthetic Oil for gas engines and NOT Rotella.

Again. Ill-informed. Sir you are clearly getting heated, and making claims of what Shell would say about their oil per applications when you are in fact, not any way affiliated with shell. Is not helpful. I asked for input, and I have received yours. Thank you for your time and $.02. You may carry on.

I e-mail Shell about that, because i was using it in my 02 Runner, and they said it is NOT recommended for gas vehicles because it will ruin the cats. over time.

This may be a stupid question due to my lack of Toyota knowledge, but was your 02 Runner a V8 or V6? And how long did you run the T6 before stopping?
And that’s a good tip, I’ll have to shoot them an E-mail and see exactly what they say. Thanks!

And just to recap, I’m asking specifically about the Rotella T6 because it has been a solid lubricant for me over the past 9 years in all of the Subaru’s Iv owned. All of which were over 100k Miles, and ranged from stock, to modified, Turbo, and naturally aspirated models. My best one that I had was a 2000 2.3L N/A motor that I had for just under 6 years and I had ran that motor cleanly too 230k miles before I traded it for another car. So again, Iv had a really good past with T6 in my gasoline Subaru’s. Trying to see if anyone has had any positive or negative feedback of running T6 in a Toyota motor. Not looking for a pissing party over a diesel oil/gasoline oil debate. (Caugh-AuSeeker-Caugh)

 

[Houligan]

I've always just grabbed whichever name brand synthetic or semi-synthetic is on sale.

This last change, Motorcraft semi was on sale... and how much quieter the engine is while driving has astounded me. I've seen people comment on that bob is the oil guy forum about how their car/truck seems to run better on a certain oil. I've tried just about every brand out there and have never noticed a difference until this time.

Still not convinced an oil can make this much difference, so I plan on using a different oil at the next change and see if it gets "noisier." However, the engine is significantly quieter right now than it has been for the last 50k miles, and the only difference is this is the first time I have used motorcraft oil on this vehicle. I have used it on other vehicles and didn't notice a difference.

Would be interested to see someone else try it and see if they notice a difference.

Lol I don’t think swapping from oil to oil and checking for different noises in result of is the route I’d personally take! You sir like to live on the edge haha. And I partially agree, I personally don’t think buying the top of the line synthetics are necessary at all, but I do feel that consistency within the motor is best for its longevity. I am in the market for just that, but for around the $22 a gallon range

 

[fihnguy]

I run Mobil 1 synthetic 5w-30 in my 2008 Runner since I bought it 5 or 6 years ago with 80,000 kilometers on it. I did my first oil change at the dealer (because there was some whatever power train warranty) and that was a mistake. Mistake in terms of me paying about $150 or so for that oil change. They also used Mobil 1 from jugs at the dealership, FYI.

I buy 2 or 3 jugs of Mobil 1 when I see it being on sale for about 35-40 CAD per jug, so I always have a couple of jugs sitting in the garage when I need it.

The change interval actually varies for me significantly, but almost never less than 10,000 km. I think the longest I went without an oil change was about 16,000 km. Oil is always black, regardless whether i change it at 8,000 or 10,000+, so not sure about the comment that stated the colour is always nice or whatever it said. Granted, black is also a nice colour - my 4Runner is black, lol.

I used to use Toyota filters, but then I ran out (the closest dealer is over 200 km away from me) and used Fram or whatever a couple of times, but then started buying Mobil filters when they are on sale (I buy two at time and always have one available), but do think I am wasting my money. I still use those though and have been for a few years now.

Why one would use something other than the recommended spec is beyond me though, unless "required" by a specific application. Especially using diesel engine oil in a gasoline engine. But to each their own. Usually, "don't try to invent a wheel when one has been invented and tested" works pretty great in practice, try it!

Also, comments like "I used this particular oil/brand of oil for 300,000 in my vehicle" are all completely irrelevant because for the most part "high-end" oil is all the same and there is always another guy who will say the same about another oil/brand.

Lastly, some people say this stuff is cheaper than that stuff. Well, not really. Either you change oil more often or you pay for the consequences down the line. Personally, I don't see myself buying Walmart oil and changing it every 3 or whatever thousand miles. Throw in my time and it costs you more to do so at the end of the day (pretty sure this statement is still true if I don't take my time into account).

OK, I think I am done now, lol.

 

[AuSeeker]

Again. Ill-informed. Sir you are clearly getting heated, and making claims of what Shell would say about their oil per applications when you are in fact, not any way affiliated with shell. Is not helpful. I asked for input, and I have received yours. Thank you for your time and $.02. You may carry on.



This may be a stupid question due to my lack of Toyota knowledge, but was your 02 Runner a V8 or V6? And how long did you run the T6 before stopping?
And that’s a good tip, I’ll have to shoot them an E-mail and see exactly what they say. Thanks!

And just to recap, I’m asking specifically about the Rotella T6 because it has been a solid lubricant for me over the past 9 years in all of the Subaru’s Iv owned. All of which were over 100k Miles, and ranged from stock, to modified, Turbo, and naturally aspirated models. My best one that I had was a 2000 2.3L N/A motor that I had for just under 6 years and I had ran that motor cleanly too 230k miles before I traded it for another car. So again, Iv had a really good past with T6 in my gasoline Subaru’s. Trying to see if anyone has had any positive or negative feedback of running T6 in a Toyota motor. Not looking for a pissing party over a diesel oil/gasoline oil debate. (Caugh-AuSeeker-Caugh)

Yes I did get a bit heated, first off you come here asking for input, I give you mine, you straight up put me down saying I'm ill informed, and then you continue to put me down, you have no idea of how informed I am or my experience in automotive and diesel mechanics, not that it matters to you but I have 45 years experience in these fields, but I still did my research before replying to back up what I think, I don't give out advice lightly, you are correct I'm not affiliated with Shell, I'm not making claims what I posted is straight from Shell Oil website, but you speak as if you are affiliated with Shell are you, if you are you may want to have them change the recommendations they have on their website!!

If you're so convince on Rotella being the best oil for a gas engine why even come here for advice you will not listen too, you obivious have already made up your mind about Rotella, so by all means use it in your 4R and happy motoring.

 

[Houligan]

Yes I did get a bit heated, first off you come here asking for input, I give you mine, you straight up put me down saying I'm ill informed, and then you continue to put me down, you have no idea of how informed I am or my experience in automotive and diesel mechanics, not that it matters to you but I have 45 years experience in these fields, but I still did my research before replying to back up what I think, I don't give out advice lightly, you are correct I'm not affiliated with Shell, I'm not making claims what I posted is straight from Shell Oil website, but you speak as if you are affiliated with Shell are you, if you are you may want to have them change the recommendations they have on their website!!

If you're so convince on Rotella being the best oil for a gas engine why even come here for advice you will not listen too, you obivious have already made up your mind about Rotella, so by all means use it in your 4R and happy motoring.

Sorry, but I’m not sorry that I apparently offended your old age. Although if your read my original post, the first thing I asked is if anyone has any expertise in running said oil. If I wanted simple information such as diesel oil is for Diesel engine and gasoline oil is for gasoline engines, why would I even post the question and waste everyone’s time? I would have just gone to wikipedia or gone to wal mart and read a label or two if I wanted an answer like that. Again, you gave your input. Thank you.

 

[lightfreak]

Rotella T6 doesn't meet the classification for gasoline engines oils because of the higher phosphorus content. If your engine is consuming noticeable oil like 1 quart per 1K miles, the phosphorus deposits will clog your cats pretty quickly..

I run T6 in my motorcycle since it has the JASO MA certification for Japanese wet clutches and there's no cat to worry about. Bought several jugs on sale years ago and did try it in the 4runner for one summer without any adverse effects. Did a 6000km/10 day road trip with it in fact. This was 7 years ago. Still have my original cats.
If I had been running it on T6 the entire time maybe things would be different.

My V6 doesn't consume any noticeable amount of oil so I wasn't all that worried. I'd run it again in the summer if I can find it for a good price. They used to go on special for about $25 CAD, now I can't find it for less than $40. It's a hardy oil and can handle long change intervals, the initial TBN is among the highest in its price range.

 

[RobD]

I run Mobil 1 synthetic 5w-30 in my 2008 Runner since I bought it 5 or 6 years ago with 80,000 kilometers on it. I did my first oil change at the dealer (because there was some whatever power train warranty) and that was a mistake. Mistake in terms of me paying about $150 or so for that oil change. They also used Mobil 1 from jugs at the dealership, FYI.

I buy 2 or 3 jugs of Mobil 1 when I see it being on sale for about 35-40 CAD per jug, so I always have a couple of jugs sitting in the garage when I need it.

The change interval actually varies for me significantly, but almost never less than 10,000 km. I think the longest I went without an oil change was about 16,000 km. Oil is always black, regardless whether i change it at 8,000 or 10,000+, so not sure about the comment that stated the colour is always nice or whatever it said. Granted, black is also a nice colour - my 4Runner is black, lol.

I used to use Toyota filters, but then I ran out (the closest dealer is over 200 km away from me) and used Fram or whatever a couple of times, but then started buying Mobil filters when they are on sale (I buy two at time and always have one available), but do think I am wasting my money. I still use those though and have been for a few years now.

Why one would use something other than the recommended spec is beyond me though, unless "required" by a specific application. Especially using diesel engine oil in a gasoline engine. But to each their own. Usually, "don't try to invent a wheel when one has been invented and tested" works pretty great in practice, try it!

Also, comments like "I used this particular oil/brand of oil for 300,000 in my vehicle" are all completely irrelevant because for the most part "high-end" oil is all the same and there is always another guy who will say the same about another oil/brand.

Lastly, some people say this stuff is cheaper than that stuff. Well, not really. Either you change oil more often or you pay for the consequences down the line. Personally, I don't see myself buying Walmart oil and changing it every 3 or whatever thousand miles. Throw in my time and it costs you more to do so at the end of the day (pretty sure this statement is still true if I don't take my time into account).

OK, I think I am done now, lol.

Sounds pretty much like me. Off to Canadian Tire when the Mobil 1 is on sale. Toyota filters. I'm now at 13k km on my last oil change and the oil is still a clear, light brown. I love Mobil 1. Used it for 23 years now.

 

[Atlanta_man]

How many years has it been since the lawsuit over 'full synthetic' was resolved and Mobil 1 joined the non-full-syn crowd ?

 

[AE1M]

You can either take the advice above including using what is spec'd in the owner's manual,

OR

You can go here and over-analyze and micro-scrutinize oil all the way down to the molecular level.

Ok, seriously, the above site has some great info, but just put in good quality 5W-30 oil meeting factory specs. Sale prices should have more affect on your choice than brand name. Oil is already over-priced for what it is and how long it lasts.

Seriously, this is the most over-thought nonsense topic and in every vehicle forum. I have 130K on my 08 6cyl Limited. I buy whatever brand name 5W-30 standard oil (non-syn) is on sale at Walmart and I buy Toyota standard filters (on Amazon bulk) with standard washers and change oil every 5-6K miles. I document oil changes and have done 22 so far on my 08. With filter on the top and 18” wheels this is a very easy 15-20 minute job for about $20. I use syn oil on vehicles that manufacturer requires like my vette. Don’t overthink, don’t waste money on designer oil, dont believe “slick molecules” advertising......

 

[Hiker865]

Seriously, this is the most over-thought nonsense topic and in every vehicle forum. I have 130K on my 08 6cyl Limited. I buy whatever brand name 5W-30 standard oil (non-syn) is on sale at Walmart and I buy Toyota standard filters (on Amazon bulk) with standard washers and change oil every 5-6K miles. I document oil changes and have done 22 so far on my 08. With filter on the top and 18” wheels this is a very easy 15-20 minute job for about $20. I use syn oil on vehicles that manufacturer requires like my vette. Don’t overthink, don’t waste money on designer oil, dont believe “slick molecules” advertising......

Agreed. I also buy filters on amazon and generally get Supertech syn unless a name brand is on sale for the same price. Saving at least 40 bucks per oil change.

 

[BackOff]

I have been buying 5gal jugs of motor oil, just a tad less money and less waste...not tossing out 5+ plastic quart bottles every change.
Royal Purple for me. Can see it better on the dipstick too!