Synthetic oil

Yes and yes.

You'll have to reset that light every 5000 miles.

 

sorry im kinda new to all of this...but how would you reset it?

 

It's in the manual.

Ensure your tripometer/odometer display is showing the odometer. Turn the key to the off position. Press and hold in the button, and then turn the key to the run position. Continue to hold the button. You'll see it flash sort of a countdown in a way, and eventually it will return to the odometer reading. Once it returns to the odometer reading, it's been reset.

It will then come back on in another 5000 miles.

 

Do majority or all of you guys use 5w30? My manual said 5w20 but dont really know the differences.

 

Basic rule of thumb, use the weight oil that your manual recommends. The manual also give you some variance depending on overall temps.

Jeff , 06, V6, SR5 6spd

 

The 5w20 is thinner after the engine warms up, but they are the same when the engine is cold. Use what the manual says to. It's all basically the same price, so there is no reason to vary from the manufacturer requirements. However, if you were to run 5w20 in the v6 and 5w30 in the 4 cyl, you probably wouldn't hurt anything. At operating temperature there really isn't a huge difference between 20 wt and 30 wt. JMO.

Here's some info that might help.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/faq.php?faq=haas_articles#faq_motor_oil_basics

 

I noticed you have a v6. Are they calling for 5w20 now? In my 2008, the 2.7 was the only engine that called for 5w20. The 4.0 called for 5w30.

 

I use Castrol Blend, the real benefits of using good oil and keeping up your changes are that you can pull your heads after 200k miles and still see the cross-hatch pattern in the cylinders from the factory honing machine. I use to be a machinist, and I can tell you that if you keep up your oil changes and never ever ever ever let your engine run hot, you are likely to have a long living motor with no blue smoke.

 

If you have metal in your oil, you have problems and situations that a magnet cannot fix.

 

For the engine, I'd agree with this.

Now, some metal power (almost looks like goo) on the drain plugs of the diffs/t-case is normal...gears beat each other up.

 

sorry..my dumbass was looking at the wrong engine. mine is a 4.0 so it does use 5w30.

 

I still don't understand why Toyota uses different weight oil in the two engines. Every gas engine GM uses in America from the Aveo to the ZR1 uses 5w30. Although, the high performance engines require synthetic. I believe most of Ford's gas engines use 5w20.

 

Ford uses a 5w20 because the oil is thinner and it lets them meet mileage ratings that are high .

You could use a 5w30 with no harm but the mileage would go down as to miles per gallon.

A lot of 5w30 people could use 5w20 with no harm at all , although that would impact warranty not due to any damage that it some may claim it may cause but due to an escape / reason for them to not spend money.

Of course in some places with insane heat / temperatures a 5w 20 weight oil would not be a sound choice for vehicles that specify a 5w30 IMO

 

I would bet that the toyota dealer would not know either. Probably clearances in the rod bearings or valve train.

Jeff, 06 V6 SR5, 6spd Here in rainy, damp , cold MA.

 

I apologize in advance. I am sure this has been answered but 23 pages is a lot to search. I changed to syn this Sunday. The dino was easy to see on the dip stick. The syn is completely clear and I can't read the dip stick. I seem to recall Chris 4X4 saying to sand the dip stick. Is this correct ? What do I do, just take some sand paper and scratch up the finish on the dip stick ? How many have this same problem ? How did you solve it ? Thanks.

 

The Tacoma dipsticks are sometimes hard to read. By sanding or etching the dipstick, it helps the oil to stick to it better and adds some contrast to make it easier to read. I personally have not done this yet, so I have no idea if it works, however, I don't see why it wouldn't.

 

I have been using Mobil 1 for over 10 yrs in customer's vehicles. Recently starting to use Eneos Oil. Fully synthetic oil. http://www.eneos.us/ Costs a little more than Mobil 1 but offers better protection.

 

Sounds like a bad idea...

wipe the dipstick, reinsert, pull out, tilt it back and forth so you can see the reflection off the oil in the light..
The oil will be much more shinier and wet compared to the dipstick..

 

I picked up 5W30 syn by mistake and replaced 5W20 dino. My MPG does seem 2 B less but I thought the syn was slicker. Guess not.

 

I had some difficulty reading it sometimes. Sanded with fine grit sand paper and this helped some.

I cleaned it with brake clean and a rag before I re-inserted it.