Whats the best oil to run????
- Thread starter MY1STRUNNER
- Start date
Nelsonmd
New member
No kidding. Honestly guys, in absence of a real problem that you can directly attribute to poor engine oil, we can't make any real conclusions. Certainly that 50/50 mixing of diesel and conventional isn't a smoking gun of some sort. Think about it guys, if it was that easy, someone would have made that already.
I'm not saying you should believe what the oil companies tell you, but on the other hand, I can guarantee that they have ton way more testing than anyone here, or probably even the OEM's have done. Take it with a grain of salt since they are selling it to you, but let's not get carried away with our witches brew oil rituals.
And seriously, what is with people wanting to go thicker on oil? 5w-30 isn't made of unicorn spit, it's not expensive. What do you guys have against spec, i.e. the recommendation of the people that designed and built the engine and know infinite times more about it than any of us do...
And for the record, South Africa, South America and Australia are not famous for their impeccable automotive maintenance. That is a terrible argument.
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madbomber08
New member
Bringing this touchy subject back again.
I've heard you guys talk about the mile interval for oil changes, but what about the time? I know it's pretty hard to put 8k miles on in 3 months, so I assume those people who run synthetic don't worry about the "time" interval too much.
I currently run Valvoline Maxlife--which seems to be no longer a synthetic blend from what the bottle states--but I have about 8 or 9 months on the oil change and about 2000 miles. Normally, I change it every 3000 miles or every ~5 months, but since I got in a wreck I haven't changed it since Februrary. So really, the oil hasn't been broken down anymore, since the engine wasn't running for 3/4 months, but what about moisture in the oil from sitting? Any thoughts on "time" intervals?
I've heard you guys talk about the mile interval for oil changes, but what about the time? I know it's pretty hard to put 8k miles on in 3 months, so I assume those people who run synthetic don't worry about the "time" interval too much.
I currently run Valvoline Maxlife--which seems to be no longer a synthetic blend from what the bottle states--but I have about 8 or 9 months on the oil change and about 2000 miles. Normally, I change it every 3000 miles or every ~5 months, but since I got in a wreck I haven't changed it since Februrary. So really, the oil hasn't been broken down anymore, since the engine wasn't running for 3/4 months, but what about moisture in the oil from sitting? Any thoughts on "time" intervals?
LittleCaesar
New member
Just my two cents here:
I run Castrol Syntec 0W-30 for a year, usually putting about 5,000 miles on it. I also use a Mobil 1 filter (M-209). No oil issues.
Make sure the 4runner gets a spirited drive at least 30 minutes long to burn off any moisture in the oil the next time you drive it. Otherwise, I'd keep the oil in it until 3000 miles or 1 year, whichever arrives first.
I run Castrol Syntec 0W-30 for a year, usually putting about 5,000 miles on it. I also use a Mobil 1 filter (M-209). No oil issues.
Make sure the 4runner gets a spirited drive at least 30 minutes long to burn off any moisture in the oil the next time you drive it. Otherwise, I'd keep the oil in it until 3000 miles or 1 year, whichever arrives first.
Nunyabiz
New member
I change mine at 8000 miles OR 1 year which every comes first. But that is using 5W30 Amsoil, with what you are using I wouldn't let it go past 3000 Miles or up to 1 year.
Usually I drive a bit LESS than 8000 miles in a year so I change it once a year around the same time.
On the flip side if I drove 2500 miles a month which I am sure most of that would have to be Highway miles to drive that far in a month then I would stretch out my oil changes to probably 10,000 miles since it would be mostly highway miles which is WAY easier on your engine and oil than constant stop & go, short trips etc.
madbomber08
New member
So you guys pretty much think that the 3 month oil change interval that used to be the standard is no longer really true, even with a conventional oil? As long as I leave it in the crankcase for no longer than 3000 miles, up to a years time, I should be fine? Changing the oil every 3 months would be rediculous since I only put on maybe 7000 or less miles a year.
1985taylor1925
Senior Member
i just fill my engine up with extra virgin olive oil once a year. I use extra virgin because its more refined than regular olive oil
BrianSD_42
New member
that is pretty much what i think about this thread
Antpwr
New member
when it comes to oil, it is a loaded question, some people will tell you one thing and others will swear against that advice. The way i look at it is simple what are your demands, how do you drive, low miles, city, highway, pure offroad. I like running castrol edge with syntec, its a full synthetic oil, good for at least 5000+ You could just go with a regular conventional oil, maybe just in a high mileage form, but honestly you can find the castrol or for that matter any synthetic even high mileage synthetic on sale around the time its time to change.
Nunyabiz
New member
If you are only doing about 7000 a year which is about what I am doing then personally I would just get the best price you can on a real 100% synthetic oil like Amsoil or Red Line and I think there is at least one version of Mobil 1 that is actually 100% synthetic (Type IV or V oil), get the best oil filter you can.
and one extra qt of oil in case you need to top it off during the year and just do an oil change per year and you are good to go.
Problem with conventional petroleum based oil especially if you do a lot of stop and go, short trips where the engine gets HOT then cools, hot then cools is that oil breaks down WAY faster than 100% synthetic even if you put less than 3000 miles on it.
Our 3.4L is not as bad as some engines fortunately, like my wifes Lexus ES300, that engine was designed to burn very hot on the top end in order to get lower emissions and better gas mileage.
BUT what happens is when you start he car the oil starts pumping coats the engine and the top end get HOT then when you turn the engine off the oil flows down and leaves a thin layer up top to literally cook and if you use petroleum oil the small chain molecules burn off and leave sludge.
and this starts to happen in that engine virtually from day one after an oil change and just gets worse as the oil breaks down.
In her car it is critical to run 100% synthetic 5W30, not as bad in our 3.4l though but the same process happens just not nearly as bad.
I would just spend about $65 a year and use the best synthetic you can get your hands on.
You would spend about the same doing 2 oil changes anyway.
