What kind of oil?

Hey guys and gals! I was just reading a post from another member and he mentioned that it would be cheaper if he or she brought his or hers own oil for them to use. One question is, what kind of oil does Toyota use? I only have about 1500 miles on mine and we get free oil changes through out our warranty. Should I be using a better oil? Did I bite on a cheap selling point?

 

sticking with the dino oil that toyota uses is fine. if, and when you decide to use a different oil, im gonna suggest something like mobil1, royal purple,redline or aamsoil, which are all synthetic. i switched to mobil1 5w30 full synthetic @ 20k miles, and to me the engine smoothed out a little bit with it, and my mileage went up a bit. the oil toyota uses is fine, but i like synthetic more than dino.

 

I use synthetic oils which will give you an extra 2000 miles before you need a change.

 

I use castrol syntec 5-30. I change at 7500 to 9000 miles. It all depends on where I am and if I have the time to change it. I also use a K&N oil filter PN 2009 on my 2.7, 4 banger, its a larger capacity filter sio if I cant get it changed my thoughts are it wont by pass because the media wont be full.

 

Are you happy with the quality of the K&N oil filter? I wasn't impressed with the K&N air filters after they left a film of dirt in my Subaru's intake.

 

I wont use their air filters (just personal preference) but I like their oil filters. I go with the larger filter PN 2009 High flow rate and filter to 10-20 microns. The thing I like best about them on the 4 cyl is the 1 inch nut on the bottom of the filter, its so easy to get them off the motor.

 

I dont think the kind of oil is as important as regular changes. Kind of like tooth paste, you can use the best but if you only brush your teeth once a week whats the use.

 

That would be wonderful! I would love to see some of that data. Right now I am using the dealership's Castrol Full Synthetic. It isn't too bad, but I am going to start doing the oil changes on my own since I have a garage again.

 

I am going to be doing my first oil change soon. I notice that the filter is on top of the engine which is great. I also noticed that there is a "spill catch" funnel type thing. Is there supposed to be a hose or something that attaches to it so oil doesn't spill everywhere? The 4.0 takes 5 quarts right? I don't remember where I saw the info. I will have to read the owners manual again.

Is using synthetic that much better for the cost? I have used Quaker and Castrol in my other vehicles and haven't ever had any problems. My 90 accord has 300,000 miles and still runs great and I am using the castrol. I do want to take care of my Taco and make sure it runs as long as possible so this is why I am asking. Thanks guys!!

 

what I always did in my shop with this set up of oil filter is just attach a 3/8th inch hose about two to three feet long to the drain and let the oil drain out to the same pan I drain the rest of the motor oil into. Just save the hose with your other tools and don't forget to replace your rubber cap on the drain.

 

will it make that big of a difference running the synthetic oil as opposed to a standard oil? I have never run a synthetic in my vehicles. Thanks guys

 

I am a strong believer in synthetic oils. I used to own a '76 dodge truck, when I bought it it ran a little rough and had a few other problems. First thing I did I was change the oil to synthetic, over time and many other fixes it began to run much better. eventually I tore the top of the motor off and it was amazing how clean it was. I have used it on every car since and it has helped my gas mileage as well. I use MOBIL 1, there are other great oils like AMSOil, however, MOBIL 1 is just easy to acquire and not as expensive as royal purple or redline.

 

Cool thanks. You are right. Royal purple should be called liquid gold for the price, BUT it is one of the best out there for sure. I use it in my 69 Roadrunner as my friends with two 72 chevelles run it as well and got me to use it there....but since I don't ever really drive it due to $3.50 gas prices out here. I just wasn't sure on newer vehicles. Thanks again!!

 

Thanks for the thread. I had the same question and now I have the answer synthetic all the way

 

and am running Mobil 1 5W-30 full synthetic with a Mobil 1 filter as well. Actually, I use full synthetic and Mobil 1 filters on the Tacoma and the Sienna both. They both take the same filter.

DirtJumper14.....the 4.0L V6 takes 5.5 quarts. I actually noticed a slight increase in mileage after switching to Mobil 1 synthetic. Gained about 1.5 mpg.

 

My 2.7L didn't get much MPG improvement (maybe .5 MPG), but it does not lug along as much since I went synthetic...

...now my wife's V6 Rav4 - It hauls balls since we went synthetic AND the fuel economy increased.

 

I purchased my 05 Tocoma Pre-Runner in April 07 and it had a mere 21,000 miles on the odometer. I am a "do it your selfer" and only take my vehicles to a repair shop only if it is something "over my head" so to speak. The previous owner always had the truck serviced at the dealership but that is just not my way.
I believe in "Royal Purple" motor oils as I have used them in the past. I immediately changed oil in the Tocoma with 5-30 Royal Purple and went with a Mobil 1 oil filter. My intentions are, and this is blessed by Royal Purple, drive the Tocoma 5,000 miles, change filter only (again going with a Mobill 1 oil filter) refill only what oil I lost due to changing the filter), and drive the another 5,000 miles before changing oil completely and filter. I further recommend switching from an oil drain plug to to on/off drain valve. I got mine from Lubricantspecials.com. The size is 12 MM by 1.25MM thead pitch. It cost about $25 but it creates a much cleaner working enviornment. Finally I swtiched to a K&N air filter. All of these changes took me from 19.5 miles per gallon to 21.5 miles per gallon. And by the way, I never burn 87 Octane. I run the mid-grade.

Hope this answers your question about oil.

Royal Purple has a great website by the way.

 

Are you using an on/off valve type plug, or are you using one of those quick-drain type plugs with the rubber stopper in the middle? Just wondering, because I have seen the stopper-type quick drains leak before. Just don't want you to end up losing your oil. When I was working at car dealerships, I had seen a lot of people come in with the quick drains that were installed unbeknownst to them by the quickie lube places. Saw a few lose ALL of the engine oil and toast their engines......