synthetic oil change over at 120k

[HCurphy]

I switched to syn. from dino at like 230k. (around 275 now) Yeah, my valve covers leak more now, I just take that as they needed to be changed.

The only reason i switched is that I'm a student, a couple hundred miles from "home". I feel safer running longer intervals on synthetic, which means I can usually wait till I make a trip home to change it. (People seem to get uppity when I'm working on my car in the school parking lot, don't really get why...I'm careful and don't make a mess)

(I'll add a useless anecdote, too. My dipstick used to have oil burnt on to it, after the second synthetic change it looks brand new. Made me think maybe there is something better about all the detergents or the capacity of the oil to dissolve and suspend impurities in the synthetic. I don't know, maybe I'm seeing what I want to see after spending more money on a product, but my motor seems to be getting cleaner.)

 

[TheDurk]

The great oil debate!:nono: Even though I do most of my own work on my 4runner, I still just drive down the road to my local Toyota dealer and let them do the oil change. They get to clean up after the oil filter removal and they dispose of the old oil and filter while I sit in the quiet lobby enjoying a complimentary beverage and wi-fi knowing the 4runner is getting genuine Toyota motor oil/filter. It has 165,000 miles and the Toyota oil has not failed me yet. In fact , when I check the oil periodically between oil changes, the oil looks great. To each their own I guess.

Just out of curiosity, what change interval does the dealer have you doing? I know what's in the manual, but service departments are prone to invent their own 'suggestions'.

For the record, I think what you are doing is fine. Having a regular maintenance program with OCI appropriate to the oil used is what's important. Whether it's dino with OCI at 3-5k or synth up to maybe 7500 with good filtration, the engine will be happy. The whole discussion of oil type is meaningless unless you talk about OCI at the same time.

I dislike going to the dealer and haven't since 2004, except for parts. And wi-fi and coffee doesn't help. But that's me.

 

[T4R2014]

There is nothing wrong with dino oil, millions use it daily. Btw, back in 1996 Toyota would recommend oil changes every 5,000 miles and that was with dino oil. 3,000 miles between oil changes are a waste of money.

Unless the vehicle is a complete jalopy, switching to synthetics shouldn't do anything bad. One of my reasons for using synthetic is that I get it for even cheaper than any dino oil.

 

[the great him]

your supposed to change your oil!? uhh how do you do this? no one ever told me about this. do you all do this? where do you buy the oil?

 

[zooroadbaja]

I've been running Mobil 1 5w-30, but switched to Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w-30, it says it's good for up to 15,000 miles, I figure I'll trying running it for a year and changing the filter once or twice during the year.

 

[Volley]

I think this is one if those debates that could go on and on. I love synthetic and use it in my motorcycle, turbo charged Nissan, Prius and even all other fluids in the Runner. Maybe once I finally replace the valve cover gaskets in her she'll get the synthetic treatment too. Idk

Bottom line, no matter which you use just change your oil. It's one of the best things you can do, period.

 

[rangermenace]

The great oil debate!:nono: Even though I do most of my own work on my 4runner, I still just drive down the road to my local Toyota dealer and let them do the oil change. They get to clean up after the oil filter removal and they dispose of the old oil and filter while I sit in the quiet lobby enjoying a complimentary beverage and wi-fi knowing the 4runner is getting genuine Toyota motor oil/filter. It has 165,000 miles and the Toyota oil has not failed me yet. In fact , when I check the oil periodically between oil changes, the oil looks great. To each their own I guess.

same reason i stopped, now firestone does it with Kendall GT-1 Synthetic Blend High Mileage motor oil with Liquid Titanium. Titanium, not even a RPG can hurt my car :bravo: I change oil every 5g miles and i remember what one auto parts salesmen told me long time ago "it all comes out of the same hole in the ground"

eace:

 

[TheDurk]

same reason i stopped, now firestone does it with Kendall GT-1 Synthetic Blend High Mileage motor oil with Liquid Titanium. Titanium, not even a RPG can hurt my car :bravo: I change oil every 5g miles and i remember what one auto parts salesmen told me long time ago "it all comes out of the same hole in the ground"

eace:

Of course, synthetic doesn't...

 

[mforce]

Best filter for oversize is the Napa Platinum? I need to change my oil now. I have been running Royal Purple filter but am ready for a different route as the Royal is pricey. Any advice on a larger filter? I am planning on changing over to Mobil 1 extended run oil as well. I am sitting at 182k

 

[Evil Ash]

Great thanks for the info both pro and con.

I have 12 quarts of AMS Oil 5w30 synth that has been in by garage since I had my Jeep TJ. I never used it on my Toy Pickup due to the valve cover leak that I fixed just prior to selling it.

Looks like Ill be changed over to synth in a couple K miles.

thanks

 

[chimpy]

Just out of curiosity, what change interval does the dealer have you doing? I know what's in the manual, but service departments are prone to invent their own 'suggestions'.

For the record, I think what you are doing is fine. Having a regular maintenance program with OCI appropriate to the oil used is what's important. Whether it's dino with OCI at 3-5k or synth up to maybe 7500 with good filtration, the engine will be happy. The whole discussion of oil type is meaningless unless you talk about OCI at the same time.

I dislike going to the dealer and haven't since 2004, except for parts. And wi-fi and coffee doesn't help. But that's me.

Believe me I am not a big fan of dealerships either ,hence as I said that I do most of my own work on my 4runner. Has been a great source for certain parts for me also, due to the fact that there are like ZERO 3rd gen 4runners in the salvage yards within 50 miles of me.
As far as what my local dealership recommends for OCI, that would be 5,000 miles. And as I stated in my pevious post, the oil looks great even when getting close to the oil change.

 

[Nunyabiz]

Great thanks for the info both pro and con.

I have 12 quarts of AMS Oil 5w30 synth that has been in by garage since I had my Jeep TJ. I never used it on my Toy Pickup due to the valve cover leak that I fixed just prior to selling it.

Looks like Ill be changed over to synth in a couple K miles.

thanks

Well thats a no brainer then, you already have enough to do 2 oil changes, just buy some good filters.