Synthetic oil

I wonder why AMS is difficult to find in the North East, or am I just not looking at the right distributors?

Jeff, 06, V6, SR5 6spd Radiant Red

 

There's a bit of misinformation being spread here:

1) Multi-grade oils are given a rating based on kinematic viscosity, synthetic or mineral based is irrelevant. When an oil is designated 5w-30 for example, it must pass the SAE J300 viscosity grade requirements for both 5w and 30w oils, meaning it must flow like a 5w at minimum temp and fall within the viscosity range of a 30w at maximum temp.

2) You can switch from synthetic to mineral based oils and back as many times as you want, there will be no ill effects. You can even mix the two with no issue over a normal oil change interval, but I have no idea why you would want to.

People tend to think that synthetic oil is this magical stuff that erases friction, but if you do something to make it mad (like mix it with inferior "dino" oil), it will end your engine. The truth is, it's just oil. Most off-the-shelf synthetics use the same feed-stocks as most off-the-shelf mineral based oils, they just go through a process called hydro-cracking or severe hydro-treatment to break the molecules down to a more uniform size and make them behave more like synthetics. This doesn't make them bad, it just makes them affordable!

Things that you want an oil to do:

1) flow at cold temp
2) maintain viscosity at high temp
3) prevent wear
4) neutralize products of combustion/wear

 

MassTaco, what part of MA are you in? Thanks for passing on that info.
I just did my oil yesterday as it was nice and warm and these days won't last for working on a vehicle outside.
I used the extended Mobil 1 with a Taco filter. This should take me well into spring as far as that is concerned. I did the same with my girlfriends new Subaru as we will be taking a good number of trips to DC this winter. Depending on how things go as I watch her oil, I hope to get 6-7K before changing the oil.
My Taco is usually between 5-6K, I have no intention of extending the oil changes to the "promised 15K" but thought that extra protection if we run over the usual 6K. Which might happen this winter.

What part of MA do you hail from? I cannot seem to get beyond the 20mph mark on my truck.

Jeff, 06,
V6, SR5 6spd

 

Hey Jeff.

I'm from Westport, way down south.

The mobil 1 extended is good oil, but not necessary over a 6-7k change interval. The regular mobil 1 will provide protection, keep acids in check (TBN greater than 1), and maintain viscosity in most non-forced induction highway/city mixed driving applications to 10k miles or 1 year. I run the Mobil 1 0w-30 advanced fuel economy and toyota filter at 5k intervals during the warranty period, but will run that at 10k aftwards (after verifying with oil analysis). A Castrol GTX or Pennzoil 5w-30 mineral oil would work just as well to 5k, but I like the cold-flow of the 0w-30 for cold-starts.

I think the 6-speed trucks are geared lower than the autos, I know the autos have a 3.73 rear end ratio, I think the 6sp has a 4.10 rear end. That will make a difference on the highway. I know on a pure highway trip I can do 23mpg @ 70mph.

 

first off i run all amsoil in my truck.. running it in the motor, tranny, tcases, and both diffs....

secondly... to correct above post.. most all v6 trucks run 3.73's and the 4cylinders have the 4.10's.... dosnt matter on the tranny. the difference you feel from the auto to 6 spd is the gearing in the manual tranny.. its alot lower.

 

Thanks for clearing that up, Fire931.

3.73s for all v6 trucks
4.10s for all i4 trucks

 

Oh yea that is way down there of course it could be worse and be in the Berkshires.

I had been using the standard Mobil 1 for 5 yrs and just decided to try that extended Mobil 1, as it is only two bucks more at Wally World.
I originally used the reg Mobil One on my girlfriends other Subie, during below zero weather it would knock just a bit when starting after an over night of sitting. The Mobil One took care of that and we used that in her car for years before getting this new one.
Our long time Subie mechanics who only service Subies and Toyota's, recommended it of course and when they were doing work on the engine they said everything was clean.
So with her new car it got it on the first oil change at 22K .......

Sure wish I had that 23mpg mileage. The best is just over 20 on a trip to Prov. as I live close to 495 and it was in 6th the whole way. I was thinking of mentioning to the dealer when I had the tsb on my rear spring bushing, but I am not sure if they really care.
I only use them (IRA in Milford) for the big time warranty and will have the Subie/Taco guys do my 30K maint.

Should you get up this way drop me an email and perhaps we could chat

 

oops a bit quick on the button. Sorry,
Jeff 06 v6 SR5 6spd bone stock

 

Thanks Fire931 for the gear ratio spec's , I must have missed that in my manual.
Jeff, 06, V6 SR5 , 6spd

 

thats alot of pages to read so im not gonna.

question: the guys at auto zone said if i didnt like mobile 1 (or any synthetic) i can go back to using regular oil.. doesnt that cause a problem?

 

No. In fact synthetic oil and conventional oil can even be mixed. They sell it as synthetic blend.

 

Hi All:

I checked the Amsoil site for info on the 2010 4cyl and they recommed oil filter change for the Amsoil filter every 7500 miles. Why use Amsoil oil when I have to change every 7500 miles?
Thanks!

 

cause most people change their oil at 5k which 7.5k is longer meaning fewer oil changes. most people do that so they dont have to change as frequently

 

I'm switching my Tacoma to Mobil1/full synthetic, my Seattle Costco sells it in 5W-30 or 10W-30 at the same price. Any opinions here on the pros/cons of which one to choose? The winters here are relatively mild, staying above 0' F.

 

use the viscosity your owners manual states.

 

Good point, yep..... I just picked up a 5 quart jug of penzoil platinum for $20

 

I run Mobil 1 0w30 and my vehicle see's sub zero temps and I've had zero issues..

 

There is no need to use anything other than the oil weight mentioned in your owners manual.

Jeff, 06 v6 , SR5 6spd

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_5523535_change-motor-oil-viscosity-another.html

 

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