Sorry for starting of with an oil thread

[kinchy]

Just picked up an 06 4Runner Sport V8 with 4500 miles on the odo. Didn't get an owners manual (yet) thus the dumb questions.
What grade of engine oil is recommended? Do I have to wait to switch to synthetic? if so at what mileage level? If I change to 18" wheels what size tire would you recommend? I don't typically off-road.

Thanks
Wayne

 

[007Runner]

Just picked up an 06 4Runner Sport V8 with 4500 miles on the odo. Didn't get an owners manual (yet) thus the dumb questions.
What grade of engine oil is recommended? Do I have to wait to switch to synthetic? if so at what mileage level? If I change to 18" wheels what size tire would you recommend? I don't typically off-road.

Thanks
Wayne

Toyota specifies that you use a API (SL) 5w-30 oil. The most current grade is now SM. Toyota says they want you to wait till the first oil change (5000) miles before using synthetic oil. They also say that once you use synthetic not to go back to conventional oil. If you change the tire size you may mess up the stability control. It makes a note about that in the owners manual.

 

[toto]

Toyota switched the viscosity to 5W-20 in the U.S. in Feb. 2006. It gets a tiny bit better gas mileage than 5W-30; that's why they changed. Either 5W-20 or 5W-30 will work fine.

The factory tire size on 18" wheels is 265/60R18. The factory ships them with either Michelin Cross Terrains's or Dunlops. The Michelins are excellent, the Dunlops are just OK. Many members have posted good things about Bridgestone Revo's as well.

 

[loudog2]

When did they switch the recommendation to 5w-20?? I'm suprised my dealer hasn't said anything. I even went to see if they changed it on the toyota web site. They don't even offer their owner oil in 5w-20.

I'm not doubting anything!! I just wish someone at the dealership would of said something. I would do anything to get a little better gas milage.

 

[007Runner]

Toyota switched the viscosity to 5W-20 in the U.S. in Feb. 2006. It gets a tiny bit better gas mileage than 5W-30; that's why they changed. Either 5W-20 or 5W-30 will work fine.
.

toto where are you getting this information? My 2007 owner's manual only recommends 5W-30. The only other thing it says is that you can use 10W-30 if 5W-30 is not available. However they want this changed to the recommended grade before freezing weather occurs.

 

[kinchy]

Thanks Boys

I'll go with 5W30 and wait before we go syn....
Appreciate the feedback

 

[greasefingers]

Oh boy

 

[greasefingers]

This thread was started the other day about the same topic: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25336

 

[Baba Booey]

In other words will spending hundreds $$$ more equal many thousands of more miles.

I've been stocking up on Pennzoil Platinum synthetic through the Advanced Auto Parts buy one get one free offer they have been having intermittently over the last year or so.

It's normally $5.78 per quart, but with the BOGO offer, it's only $2.89 per quart for an oil that has been putting up some of the best UOAs. Pep Boys has been having a rebate deal that puts the Pennzoil Platinum at $1.99 per quart.

 

[toto]

When did they switch the recommendation to 5w-20??

I could have swore I posted this when the TSB came out, but I can't find it through search. (Edit: that's beacuse Koz did it, as Uneek points out below! Thanks, Koz!)
Here's the TSB.

 

[Uneek]

toto where are you getting this information? My 2007 owner's manual only recommends 5W-30. The only other thing it says is that you can use 10W-30 if 5W-30 is not available. However they want this changed to the recommended grade before freezing weather occurs.

Here's the thread originally posted by Koz. Here's the link to the specific TSB.

I personally will continue to use 5W-30 since it was originally specified by Toyota.

 

[Chicago-Spike]

OIl, any kind, does NOT need to be changed as early as 3000 miles. A good full synthetic can and will outperform any conventional oil well after it's been in an engine over 15,000 miles. Conventional oil you should change it at @ 5,000 miles. My BMW came with full synthetic and was told to change it at 15,000 miles! If you can convince yourself that those outdated old wives tales are indeed false, a synthetic oil change once a year will better serve your engine and wallet in the long run. I too hated to try this, especially on my motorcycle, but I went for one riding season(about 9,000 miles) on AMSOIL MCF bike oil. I had Blackstone labs test the oil, and found it was to be well within API specs for a new oil. It was recommended that it be left in the engine and tested again in 3,000 miles. I changed it only because you don't want old oil sitting in an unused engine for a long period of time.

 

[4Stunna]

Re: Re: Sorry for starting of with an oil thread

Toyota specifies that you use a API (SL) 5w-30 oil. The most current grade is now SM. Toyota says they want you to wait till the first oil change (5000) miles before using synthetic oil. They also say that once you use synthetic not to go back to conventional oil.

Who says that i have never heard of such a thing

 

[007Runner]

Re: Re: Re: Sorry for starting of with an oil thread

Who says that i have never heard of such a thing

Ummmm.... Toyota does.

click this http://toyota.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/...3RleHQ9c3ludGhldGljIG9pbA**&p_li=&p_topview=1

 

[kyrunner]

I think you can pretty much ignore the "once you use synthetic you can't go back to convential". I always change my oil myself nut I had a good coupon for oil change & tire rotation from the dealer so I had them do it once. Guess what oil they use - Valvoline Duralblend. Synthetics & conventional are comaptible for mixing so swithing between the two are no problem. Toyota probably doesn't want to take the chance that you forget what you have in and run a conventional 9000 miles.

 

[Chicago-Spike]

I think you can pretty much ignore the "once you use synthetic you can't go back to convential

Yes, I forgot about that lie. You can switch back and forth between conventional to synthetic blends to full synthetics with NO problems. That is another old wives tale

 

[jeober]

It's OK to post about oil. It's a very crucial element of car care. Anyone who's tired of such posts doesn't have to read them.

Synthetic and natural oils are almost identical molecularly. Synthetics are just more uniform chains of the desired hydrocarbon constructions. Both oils are completely interchangeable and blendable. Any oil SM rated will provide excellent lubrication in an automotive gas engine right down to the Walmart house brand that I use.

The most important advice to take from these discussions is to not to exceed the manufacturer's oil change interval - all oils considered.

 

[007Runner]

If this TSB came out in 2006 http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Toyota/1143619200000_1144652400000_EG018-06/81.html
Why do you suppose in the 2007 owner's manual and on the oil fill cap Toyota says to use API (SL) 5W-30 oil? Also they are telling you to use (SL) the newest rating is (SM)? What is up with Toyota telling you not to go back and forth with conventional and synthetic oil. Don't say they think you might forget what is in the crankcase and extend the oil change. Toyota specifically tells you to stay with the oil change schedule. I would really like an explanation about why they don't want this. Toyota refuses to give me any more information on this. Seems to me Toyota can't seem to make up their mind about what grade of oil to use.

 

[Uneek]

If this TSB came out in 2006 http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Toyota/1143619200000_1144652400000_EG018-06/81.html
Why do you suppose in the 2007 owner's manual and on the oil fill cap Toyota says to use API (SL) 5W-30 oil? Also they are telling you to use (SL) the newest rating is (SM)? What is up with Toyota telling you not to go back and forth with conventional and synthetic oil. Don't say they think you might forget what is in the crankcase and extend the oil change. Toyota specifically tells you to stay with the oil change schedule. I would really like an explanation about why they don't want this. Toyota refuses to give me any more information on this. Seems to me Toyota can't seem to make up their mind about what grade of oil to use.

My guess, the oil cap was 2006 or maybe even 2005 stock. I'm pretty sure, even if the '07 on the lots have oil caps with the 5W-20 rating, the parts department probably doesn't if it got lost. The manual is probably a 2006 with a 2007 cover.

My own reasoning for using and staying with 5W-30 is when the engine was designed and engineered, 5W-20 oil was around. It's possible at that time Toyota felt that 5W-30 would be better thus the recommendation of 5W-30 over 5W-20. However right now with gas prices higher than ever before, many people want the best MPG and using 5W-20 will improve MPG a bit without harming the engine. And I've seen UOA's that say 5W-20 provides the same lubrication as 5W-30. 5W-30 is also easier to find.

 

[kyrunner]

I'd stay with 5W30 as well - many 5W30's will shear to a 20 in short order. With the timing chains that are on our V6's I would think shearing would be more evident.