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Switching to Synthetic Oil...Should I?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by sioux_hockey_guy, Jan 15, 2010.

  1. Jan 15, 2010 at 8:20 AM
    #1
    sioux_hockey_guy

    sioux_hockey_guy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I did a quick search and couldn't find anything on switching to synthetic oil. Just under 30,000 miles on my '08 and I'm sick of taking my truck in every two months for an oil change. I would gladly pay more for synthetic if it meant less oil changes. Any reason why it would be a bad idea to switch at this point? Any pros?
     
  2. Jan 15, 2010 at 8:22 AM
    #2
    blackwatertaco

    blackwatertaco If you ain't stuck, You ain't tryin hard enough.

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    Well I just bought my Taco last sat. But my dad ran Mobil 1 syn. since 10k miles. He usually went about 9k miles before changing the oil and filter. I just changed my oil lastnight and i'll change it in 8k.

    EDIT the oil I changed lastnight had 10k miles on it. It was still clean.
     
  3. Jan 15, 2010 at 8:25 AM
    #3
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    That whole length of time thing is still debatable. Start using longer oil change intervals and I would start getting oil analysis done too- Just because it's synth doesn't mean you can go 10K without an oil change.
    There are also considerations of what the manufacturer says to do. If they say 5K and you go 10...They may figure it out and you may lose out of warranty coverage, etc etc.

    I use synth in my car...and my Taco will get it when the dealership stops giving my free oil changes.
     
  4. Jan 15, 2010 at 8:30 AM
    #4
    sioux_hockey_guy

    sioux_hockey_guy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Black '08 TRD OR 2" Leveled
    Eibach front springs, Billstein 5100's set at .85" Rear blocks (1.5"?) w, TSB. To be replaced w/ AAL
    I get my oil changes done at the dealership so I'll see what they say tomorrow when I take it in. Even if I can go every 5k between changes I'd be happy. I'll see what they recommend and let you know.

    Thanks
     
  5. Jan 15, 2010 at 8:30 AM
    #5
    2009Silver

    2009Silver Well-Known Member

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    I changed to synthetic at 5K miles, and I change every 5K.
     
  6. Jan 15, 2010 at 8:30 AM
    #6
    luni

    luni Resident Gun-toting Hippie

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    After my engine got rebuilt at 13k :)() I went to mobil 1 and lucas oil stabilizer. I did my last oil change after 7-8k and it barely looked dirty. Changed the wife's car to mobil 1 also. FWIW Expeditions West runs Mobil 1 in his expedition truck that's seen south america and the arctic circle.
     
  7. Jan 15, 2010 at 8:44 AM
    #7
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    There's nothing wrong with changing to synthetics at 30K miles.

    I switched to synthetics at 3,000 miles and I change it every 5,000 miles. My oil is really dark (darker than chocolate syrup) at 5,000 miles.... that alone tells me the oil is *dirty* (sludge) and needs changed. I don't do oil analysis because I personally don't like to leave that dirty/sludgy oil in my truck longer than the intervals.

    As Brunes said...just because you change to synthetics doesn't necessarily mean you can go for longer intervals. It's a huge debate on that and why you should or shouldn't.
     
  8. Jan 15, 2010 at 9:01 AM
    #8
    flatlander

    flatlander Well-Known Member

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    My plan is to switch over to synthetic at my 15k oil change. Then every 5k from there on.

    Planning on using the OEM Toyota filter. Still deciding on whether to use Royal Purple or Mobil 1.

    HTH
     
  9. Jan 15, 2010 at 9:10 AM
    #9
    Chester

    Chester Well-Known Member

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  10. Jan 15, 2010 at 9:12 AM
    #10
    LEEP

    LEEP Well-Known Member

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    I use mobil 1 + mobil 1 oil filter # 209
     
  11. Jan 15, 2010 at 9:14 AM
    #11
    Toyota Truck

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    Yes you should switch I change mine every 4000k sometimes sooner I get excited. I know iam just weird like that.
     
  12. Jan 15, 2010 at 9:16 AM
    #12
    2009Silver

    2009Silver Well-Known Member

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    Haha - Nice! I get excited about it too!
     
  13. Jan 15, 2010 at 9:19 AM
    #13
    rob1

    rob1 Well-Known Member

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    x2....Royal Purple, K&N Oil Filter;) matter of fact doing oil change on my truck & the wifes Sienna, tomorrow:D
     
  14. Jan 15, 2010 at 9:21 AM
    #14
    usmcgoose

    usmcgoose One shot is all I need

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    The synthetic oil is designed so that it is more resistant to temperature and interface breakdown. This doesn't mean it's any better than conventional oil. Just built to last longer. I use synthetic and change my oil anywhere from 3K to 5K miles. It just gives me a little piece of mind knowing I don't have to do it right at 3k.
     
  15. Jan 15, 2010 at 9:32 AM
    #15
    kilgoja

    kilgoja Well-Known Member

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    i don't know why they even use regular oil anymore in cars...synthetic is better
     
  16. Jan 15, 2010 at 9:46 AM
    #16
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

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    You live in ND. A very cold climate in the winter. I would absolutely use nothing but synthetics. They flow much better at cold temps than conventional oil.
     
  17. Jan 15, 2010 at 11:07 AM
    #17
    Lunercrab

    Lunercrab Well-Known Member

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    In my 06 I used mobil1 eery 5k. Now I just bought a 2010 with bout 530 miles. I'm not due for an oil change til bout 5k again. Question is should I just wait til I hit 5 k to change over to synthetic. Or shoul I change it out right away since it will take me a long while til I hit 5k. I'm debating if ishould do it come spring before I start my summer campertowing.
     
  18. Jan 15, 2010 at 11:11 AM
    #18
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

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    In my 08 I switched to synthetic at 6 months, which was about 2900 miles. I now change it every 6 months or 5000 miles. I just notice that you live in a cold climate also. If it were my truck, I would probably switch now, because it is winter time. JMO.
     
  19. Jan 15, 2010 at 11:42 AM
    #19
    lrak

    lrak Well-Known Member

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    I personally would change it around 1k with conventional oil to get all of the initial wear-in debris out of the engine after the first ~20 hours of use. Then I'd switch to synthetic at 5k (with 4k miles on the replacement conventional oil).

    To be honest if you trade your vehicle every 4 years, I'm not sure synthetic oil buys you anything. I feel the same way about using synthetic and changing it every 3k miles. If you are going to change it at 3-4k miles and 6 months I feel that today's conventional oils are more than good enough. If you keep your vehicles > 250k miles, or change it at more than 4k / 6m intervals there might be an advantage to synthetic.
     
  20. Jan 15, 2010 at 11:45 AM
    #20
    JackedTaco

    JackedTaco Well-Known Member

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    Switched at 30,000 and have put two changes in with Castrol Edge, so far so good.
    Want to try Royal Purple sometime.
     

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