Which synthetic oil.....

Are you sure they actually used full synthetic? At a dealer, for that price??

Doesn't sound right.

 

Exactly my model (2010) and mileage (85,000)...
I have always had the dealer perform the oil changes, usually around 4,000 miles and no issues, no drips, no adding oil between changes (which is just like my other two Tacomas).
I don't know what brand the Toyota dealer uses (Valvoline?) but they do use the Toyota filter, of course.
The differential oil is something I changed (at Speed Freek's shop in Vista) and I used Mobil 1. About to do it again as its been over 45,000 miles on the Mobil 1.

 

I think they might be stretching the truth and using a synthetic blend

 

I've seen specials at my dealer where they'll do a syntehtic oil changes for $50. Not sure what oil they use though, my guess a blend.

 

yep. Gave them this basic oil change coupon

http://www.toyotaplace.com/specials/service/

and after the additional costs with full synth that was their price. Last time I did my other car it was at my usual mechanic. Bought the full synthetic on a special at auto zone and my mech did the change. Came out to around $60 total as well. Just look for specials

 

Interesting I do my oil changes out of my garage but I've never seen a shop do a full synthetic oil change for that low.

 

my shop is a Toyota specialist he does the labor for $35 if you provide the oil. You can find full synthetic on special around $20 often times.

 

Mobil 1 had a rebate and you could get a 5 qt jug for about $13. With dealer labor that's less than $50

 

It was rumored that Toyota partnered with Mobil to develop their Toyota 0w-20 synthetic oil. Whether or not that's true does not matter to me. I know that Toyota takes pride in the reliability of their vehicles and wouldn't offer anything sub par. However, every dealership is independently owned and that could vary. When I used to change my own oil in other vehicles I always used Mobil 1 for daily drivers. I get 2 synthetic oil changes a year from the dealer (with coupon) for less than $100. Truck runs great with 167k and hasn't skipped a beat yet.

 

yep exactly.

 

I've been rocking mobile 1 In anything and everything for 10yrs now. About every 3rd to 4th oil change I'll dump a can of seafoum In about 50 miles before change. Never have internal motor/drive train issues and I beat the snot out of some equipment. Just my two cents.

 

Also just went with Mobil 1 synthetic from dino today.

 

Mobil1 5-30 syn factory filters - change 6500 - 7000 ....I am at 240751 miles no issues.

 

Pretty much all "full synthetic" oils are blends of conventional (group 1-3 bases) and synthetic oil. The reason they can sell it as synthetic was a Castrol/mobil lawsuit in the 90s. The two of you who mentioned not to switch back and forth are full of it. Back in the day when they first introduced synthetic oil there was a chance the additives in the synthetic wouldn't "condition" the seals as well as the conventional mineral oil and cause leaks, or over condition and swell the seals too much then when mineral oil was used again it would leak, all of that is no longer true. You can switch between conventional and synthetic without risk thanks to advances in the motor oil industry.

As far as running lowest cost synth vs. say Mobil 1 or Valvoline as one poster mentioned, you probably won't see any negatives throughout the life of the truck, however, after seeing multiple Mobil 1 reports vs Valvoline reports come back on my personal truck the add. package in Mobil 1 keeps me reassured everything will keep running smoothly. For a few $$ over others on the shelf, I'll take it.

OP: My answer is Mobil 1 but use what you like, change it when you want, and enjoy your truck.

 

Mobil one extended performance
I put 10k on the oil and 5k on the toyota filter (yeah, i change the filter half way)

The oil still "looks" cleaner at 10k than dino oil at 3k

 

Switched to Mobile1 yesterday with 10,000 on the ticker.

 

Just an example of the dealer coupons I mentioned. I've lived in TX, CO, MO, and NV and every dealer has had some kind of coupon. Some dealers charge me for the extra 0.5 qt, some don't.

 

exactly. deals on full synth aren't that hard to find anymore. i'd like to do my own oil but i dont have much free time and two young kids. i'll pay the extra $30 for labor LOL

 

that's a good idea. i may try this method

 

OEM oil filters.

Buy em in a 10 pack on ebay, you will get 10 of the bigger D3 filters and drain plug gaskets for 45 bucks.


then for oil... really what ever you wish. Me personally i run 0w-30 Mobil 1.... there is ZERO point to run 5w-30 synthetic when 0w-30 can be had for the same price and it offers much better start up protection / cold running protection, even here in so cal.