Please Help which oil should I use???

[djdp]

Greetings, This is my 1st post - I recently got a 97'
4Runner it has 169K miles - the previews owner
used 100% Mobil 1 synthetic oil 10w40.
I would like to keep using the synthetic oil -
question = what oil viscosity should I be using
with 169K?

Thanks in advance
dp

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Just stick with what Toyota recommends which is 5w-30.

 

[broncosi]

is it really 5w-30? dang i put a quart of 10w-40 in the other day, is that bad for it? or is like using 93oct instead of 87?

 

[Elton]

ive always used 10w-30 in all my trucks

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Oil shouldn't be mixed but if you only put in one quart you'll be ok til your next change.

 

[djdp]

Thanks for your replies - much appreciate it.
I will use the 5w-30 as recommended by factory.

 

[broncosi]

Oil shouldn't be mixed but if you only put in one quart you'll be ok til your next change.

even if i was low? what should i have done?

 

[peter78]

Greetings, This is my 1st post - I recently got a 97'
4Runner it has 169K miles - the previews owner
used 100% Mobil 1 synthetic oil 10w40.
I would like to keep using the synthetic oil -
question = what oil viscosity should I be using
with 169K?

Thanks in advance
dp

That is not a bad thing the old owner is doing. He is going with a little thicker oil, but with synthetic it should flow faster cold than regualr 5 W 30.

With a older engine, some oil tends to leak out through the valves and get burned. I have a old Honda with 206,000 miles on it and I changed from 5 W 30 to 10 W 30 at around 190,000 miles.

Going with 5 W 30 is fine, but be sure to check the oil between your oil changes at least in the beginning. A engne that old will burn or leak a little oil, if it is less than 1/2 quart between oil changes you are fine with the oil you have in it.

 

[Grreatdog]

The main reason Toyota (like just about every other oem) spec's 5w-30 is for EPA emission and mileage testing. They have to do the EPA testing with the same oil they recommend to consumers. And, since 5w-30 gets the best mileage, that is what they are going to use and therefore recommend.

Personally, I would not hesistate to run any multi-vis oil within reason. Synthetic seems like overkill to me. But if it makes you feel better to drop that kind of money at every oil change it certainly can't hurt to use it.

I do run 5w-30 since I have no reason not to. But I also understand the reason why just about every car maker recommends it.

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/dearmfr/ccd0407.pdf