help with synthetic oil

i have a 95 tacoma 2.7 with 205k on it. i am thinking about switching to synthetic oil. from what i have read it will be fine to switch over. but what weight oil should i use? what was recomended from factory 5w-30 or should i go thicker? i dont know what wight is in it now. but it is time for a oil change. please let me know. i have looked and have found nothing on the weight of oil. thanks.

 

Do you have an owners manual? That type of information is in the owners manual. Or use the SEARCH feature of this forum - blue bar towards the right. Lots of information available to you at your fingertips (and no waiting).

Good Luck!

 

thanks for the info. i guess i was more asking since the motor has 205k miles on it should i go with a thicker oil than what the factory says?

 

I would stick with the dino if it was me. I just think that the engine has been on Dino the whole time and if you change it the motor may not like it. Just my .02

 

i have heard equally both ways... not to change it and that it would be OK to change it. has anyone with this many miles swapped to synthetic?

 

All I know is that I have been running 10w-30 since i had the truck and she has 173k on her now. No problems with the dino. Aint broke, don't fix it kind of deal.

 

Stick with the same wt. and just extend your change time with the syn.
If you stay the same time between changes then the syn. is not worth the cost.

 

I'd stick with dino oil. You may risk exposing a leak since Synthetics tend to have more detergents in them; therefore reducing any deposits that may be keeping a seal from leaking. If you got over 200K on an engine, what's synthetic going to do for you? Reduce wear? Wear has already been done by 200K. Just stick to a regular interval change with dino and you'll be fine.

 

Not that many miles.....but I've changed to synthetics after 60K miles on a 96 tacoma and at 85K miles on a Jeep Wrangler.

The tacoma developed 'sweating' in & around the oil pan and I actually started loosing about 1/2 quart of oil every 4,000 miles.

The jeep never developed any leakage, but the lifters started getting loud at startups - which would eventually quiet down as it warmed up.

It all depends on the vehicle. Synthetics tend to penetrate further/deeper and cleanse better (remove buildup).

At 205K miles - I'd stick with dino oil. If your truck is close to having frame failure in the next year or two, then what's the point of using synthetics?

 

You should check out bobistheoilguy.com there is a wealth of information about all things oil. Very good information on that site.

 

Yeah, I think I spent 2 hours on their when I first found it. Its a great site.

 

I had a 1992 Toyoat 4x4 Pickup. At 180k miles, I switched to synthetic. Guess what? It started leaking. Just Sayin'

 

Yeah....Dino is probably a better option. Cleaners like Seafoam and major chemical make up changes after that many miles is risky. Leaks that have been plugged with buildup may be cleared, and you may start to hear some new noises.

No reason to make the swap....Dino is cheaper, and you can change it more often.

 

Don't change a thing. You are doing everything right. No second guessing. 5-30 it is and keep it dino.

 

205k miles on dino and you want to switch?
Keep doing what you been doing.
Why waste the money?

 

The poster who said you might want to use standard oil but increase the frequency of oil changes probably has the best answer.

Switching to synthetic may do two things to a high-mileage engine: 1. the smaller molecules of the synthetic oil may find their way past seals and cause oil leaks. 2. the synthetic oil may break loose deposits, which sounds like a good thing but actually may contribute to blow-by and oil passage plugging problems.

Another couple of things not do is to use engine flush or aftermarket additives as the former can wreak havoc on a high-mileage engine and the latter actually contribute to deposits and oil sludge.

 

Your car has been happy on what you are using, clearly.... I wouldn't go out and get into sythetics with that many miles! If it is not broke, dont fix it!