Toyota Oil, Synthetic vs Conventional for short trips

Thanks for posting, but no thanks...I'll just trust my owner's manual instead.

 

Just wanted to share.... AutoZone has Castrol full synthetic oil (5 quarts) and a filter that is 10K mile rated with semi synthetic media for $26.99 instant right now. Doing the math on that one puts the oil at $16 as that is a $10 filter. I bought on Saturday for my taco

 

I almost want to say that after your comment the dancing banana is not p.c., but I'm afraid that abbreviation will be taken in the wrong context...

 

I recommend reading this article which answers all of your questions and brings insights into the many theories that people state in here as fact

https://www.minimania.com/Motor_Oils_-_It_Is_So_Very_Misunderstood

 

OK, I tried reading a lot of that but what would be the main takeaways from all this?

 

Super Tech FTW

 

LOL

 

WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU READ THE OWNERS MANUAL

 

Toyota and Lexus recommend regular oil for 5k. I do synthetic Mobil 1 for 5k.
Just wanted to share this: I used to have a 91 Honda Accord, that car had oil change at 3k valvoline regular since new. At about 250k I had valve cover gasket leak and when I was replacing it I checked inside the head and it was gold color as new, never had a problem with it at all.

 

What did the manual recommend for OIC on that? I'm guessing not 3k.

 

WHO READS THE MANUAL, WHY WOULD YOU ASK?

 

THAT WAS MY IRONIC FONT.

I'm just geussing he threw away a shit ton of good oil by doing abtou 30+ more oil changes than necessary. But I didnt' wan to jump to conclusiosn withtout some basis in fact.

 

By what I see, Blockhead did in post #114 exactly what you suggest here -- question statements about TRUTH, not believe everything he reads (your writing) -- yet look at the wicked response you give.

I believe most of what you wrote in your essay post #113, there's a lot of experience and simple factual information there. Yes there is a huge difference between being a technician and being a mechanic. I especially like the part about the service intervals in the owner's manual, those are not bullshit numbers!

I'm just saying to consider that someone is already doing what you suggest before you tear into them. Don't get so wound up in your own TRUTH that you forget how to be a decent and reasonable human being.... oh, I just noticed your avatar... nevermind.

 

I hope so.

 

Only posting here because I drive 4.4 miles to work daily which is really close to the OP.

I had a Blackstone oil analysis done at 3K miles. I had 0.5% fuel contamination, and they stated 2% is the max they would recommend. They suggested I go 5K miles and test again.

With short trips you will fuel contaminate your oil long before you wear it out.

FWIW, I use Castrol Syntec 5-W30 with a Purolator filter. My local parts store has the combo on sale regularly and my analysis came back with good results.

 

How long was that oil in service? I have a short drive to work each day as well, about a mile. I often don't get my engine hot enough for the torque converter to lock up, the TC won't lock until the engine coolant gets to 140°F.

 

Roughly 7 months and 3,000 miles.

In your case I would worry about water contamination also. Since the block probably gets warm enough to condense water inside, but the oil never gets hot enough to boil it away.

I would recommend an analysis for short trip driving. People can purse swing and bicker all day about oil, but in the end only an analysis will tell you what's going on in there.

With only a one mile drive I would be worried about the external engine valves and hoses. If the engine never hits operating temp those things might freeze up or break down long term.

 

I've been changing my oil every 6 months, last time it was 2,500 miles and about 180 engine hours. I burned about 200 gallons of fuel on that OCI. The oil still looked perfect on the dipstick, no milky color, still golden colored, not turning brown yet at all. It always looks pretty dark in the drain pan and has a little bit of a gas smell. I do take longer drives a couple times per week usually, 20 mile round trip into town, or 60 mile round trip to a neighboring town.

 

Damn, this thread is still going? LOL In case anybody is still wondering. I decided that the dealership and Toyota can go screw themselves. Nobody else will ever touch my vehicles ever again unless it's something like tires or an alignment. And even then I will be looking over their shoulder. Because the Toyota dealership keeps screwing me every time I walk through the doors. I cancelled my maintenance package, and I'm just going to use Mobil 1 with an oem filter and swap it out every 6 months. I've never had a single issue using mobile one, and I don't think I ever will. Not sure if I will stick with an oem filter or get an oversized Mobil 1 filter like that guy who posted the four hundred thousand mile write up. That's the only thing I'm still kind of debating. Now that the "I just bought something brand new for the first-time" Jitters has worn off, I'm back to thinking straight. Nobody will ever treat your car as well as you will.