What's your favorite oil?
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Yota_Noob
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Is it safe to assume that the acceptable values vary from car to car? I'd never heard of these tests before reading your posts last night. Did a little research and saw a few spread sheets of what they found in the oils, but I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at. Anything you guys look for in particular on these tests?
smokey73
New member
The only way to know for sure how any oil performs is to test it. Everyone has different driving styles and ambient conditions that affect oil wear and performance. Engine mileage and past operating conditions will also affect how oil performs. If your looking to run the oil as long as possible, pick a good synthetic oil and send in oil samples at about 7500 miles and see how its doing and if you can run it longer. If you're anal and like to change your oil every 3500 miles, pick a name brand conventional oil and test it at 3k to see how its doing. I think you'll find that if you go a reasonable OCI, any oil will do fine. Don't forget about the filter, the oil test will tell you alot about the filter you're running. A good filter will extend the life of a bad oil.
smokey73
New member
I did this on my wife's X-terra. I always ran Valvoline NexGen 5w-30 w/Mann filters at 5K miles. The samples always came back looking good and Blackstone would suggest running it to 7500 if I wanted. I switched to Royal Purple same weight and did the first change at 5k and it looked the same as the conventional. I ran it to 10k and Blackstone said I could go further if I wanted, but I never did. I just recently switched to Mobile 1 (it was on sale at Wally World) and the samples look identical at 10k, except for the additives. I recently changed the oil in my 4r to mobile one (same sale) I'm gonna run it to 10k and then go with whatever name brand syn is on sale at the time.
Top Shelf Synthetics
New member
I drive somewhere in the neighborhood of 12K a year, a few road trips and 15K is pretty easy. I change once a year, before AZ summer.
The filter comparison was actually interesting.
So, the Toyota OEM filter is pretty much the best.
Amsoil & Wix looks like they're about the same.
Lineman
New member
Change mine at 1 year intervals. Doesn't matter miles. Right now I have 10K miles on this change and have 2 months left until I will change it.
I would not say that it is the best. It was a good read and comparison as far as construction, but does not compare filtration abilities. The Amsoil filter is smaller than Toyota's filter, but that is no indication of filtration ability or capacity. The link below is a good read of an independent analysis.
Your Next Oil Change: Really! How Good Are Amsoil Oil Filters?
I go 15k, but mine is almost all on road driving with a small amount of towing. before the 4runner I had a Ford Ranger that I ran Amsoil oil and filter from day 1 and when their extended drain oil/filter came out I went with that doing the same 15k mile interval. Sold it with 250k and still ran great to get the 4runner.
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Top Shelf Synthetics
New member
Amsoil also has the EAO34 oversized filter that can be used instead of the EA15K51 for our 4Runners.
PaulB-2006 T4R
New member
You may want to reconsider NexGen oil. At least with the 5w-20 there was a consumer advisory from Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) about the volatility, "The Noack Volatility test results are 22% above the specification of 15% maximum." This advisory even prompted Ashland Oil to issue a response to PQIA. Yes you are using 5w-30 but I would beware of any NexGen oil. Use the oil you want I am making you aware.
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America
PaulB-2006 T4R
New member
Ever reviewed PH Fram oil filters? They could be one of the weakest oil filters on the market, for a $1 or $2 more you are into a more sturdy filter. Do your own google search and make your own mind up.
15 minutes after I read a review and saw the construction of oil filters including Fram, I was at the auto parts store buying a Wix filter and immediately installed it. I have since changed over to K&N HP filters because they are the same as TRD oil filters.
yotaguy674
New member
I've ran Valvoline synthetic blend in all my vehicles with no issues at all.
Premium Carquest filter as well.
Premium Carquest filter as well.
DisguisedRope
New member
Mobil 1 Synthetic and Toyota oil filter. Somewhere around 7500-10000 miles for change interval depending on when I'm home and have time.
morphious
New member
I edited my original post to reflect what I really use now because I forgot to change the spreadsheet that I copied that info from since my last oil change. You are right, Fram scores on the low end after my research about 6-8 months ago, I switched to Mobil 1 filters, but the same oil.
If anybody is interested here are a few pretty good site on oil filters:
Oil Filter Comparison Study - GM Truck Central
Engine Oil Filter Study
