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switch to synthetic oil? bad idea?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by johnny230, Mar 29, 2011.

  1. Mar 29, 2011 at 12:37 PM
    #1
    johnny230

    johnny230 [OP] Active Member

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    hi, i have a 2003 tacoma with 195,000 miles on it, she runs like a champ not a problem or anything, like i just drove off the lot ive been using regular oil since day one, a budy of mine recently switched his car from reg oil to synthetic oil he said his gas mileage went up and the acceleration and throttle response is thru the roof and the car is way faster and running alot better, so it made me think maybe i should do this, but i dont know if its a bad idea or can hurt the truck. ive been trying to find answers on like google but some ppl say its fine and others say dont do it.
     
  2. Mar 29, 2011 at 12:39 PM
    #2
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    you'll be fine switching, but acceleration will not change at all. The only real advantage to synthetic is the ability to extend the oil change intervals.
     
  3. Mar 29, 2011 at 12:41 PM
    #3
    Jdaniel1274

    Jdaniel1274 Well-Known Member

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    Will not hurt the truck at all, synthetic oil will just be a little bit more expensive, truck might run a little smoother, but do not expect significant performance gains or gas mileage increase. The synthetic oil will just lubricate better and last longer. Just changed over to synthetic at 135,000 in my Tacoma no change in performance, maybe a bit smoother running.
     
  4. Mar 29, 2011 at 12:51 PM
    #4
    johnny230

    johnny230 [OP] Active Member

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    ive heard that some people see oil leaks after switching to the synthetic especially if the truck or car is alittle older.
     
  5. Mar 29, 2011 at 12:54 PM
    #5
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    that can happen when the synthetic cleans out all the junk/sludge left behind by someone changing conventional past 5k miles. If the truck has been maintained properly there shouldn't be a problem.
     
  6. Mar 29, 2011 at 2:46 PM
    #6
    Supra TT

    Supra TT Supercharged Lifter

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    That's not the only REAL advantage. There are plenty other... Synthetic is cleaner, runs cooler, runs smoother, and lasts longer.
     
  7. Mar 29, 2011 at 2:54 PM
    #7
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    It is very unlikely that changing to synth alone had such a dramatic effect on performance. Are these butt-dyno results? Or did he change the spark plugs and clean the throttle body, too? (both of which you should consider if you'd like to enjoy such improvements).

    Changing to synth is not going to give you 20 hp (or get you laid or cure cancer).
     
  8. Mar 29, 2011 at 2:56 PM
    #8
    woodygg

    woodygg Well-Known Member

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    couldn't hurt, but certainly didn't improve the mileage or performance of my rig.
     
  9. Mar 29, 2011 at 6:19 PM
    #9
    bivey

    bivey Well-Known Member

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    Your buddy is full of crap sorry if that will offend him. Let me guess he picked up a bottle of castrol edge and his hair started blowing.
     
  10. Mar 29, 2011 at 6:38 PM
    #10
    johnny230

    johnny230 [OP] Active Member

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    he has a nissan 350z and went from regular oil to royal purple and said it made a huge difference but no clue how true that is
     
  11. Mar 29, 2011 at 6:38 PM
    #11
    johnny230

    johnny230 [OP] Active Member

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    and as far as royal purple how is that stuff? thats what i wanna use
     
  12. Mar 29, 2011 at 6:43 PM
    #12
    The Munster

    The Munster I like turtles!!!

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    don't do it man, i did the same thing and i started leaking oil like CRAZY. so it took two or three oil changes with regular oil to stop it... then it started making its own oil somehow :goingcrazy: (should have tapped that mutha)
     
  13. Mar 29, 2011 at 7:23 PM
    #13
    johnny230

    johnny230 [OP] Active Member

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    really? damn i hate getting mixed feelings on this stuff lol
     
  14. Mar 29, 2011 at 7:27 PM
    #14
    LBCdan

    LBCdan TACO --> TUNDRA

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    x2 :thumbsup:
     
  15. Mar 29, 2011 at 7:52 PM
    #15
    johnny230

    johnny230 [OP] Active Member

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    to switch or not to switch,the leaking is the only thing that scares me
     
  16. Mar 29, 2011 at 7:56 PM
    #16
    bivey

    bivey Well-Known Member

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    Switch I did it at 180k. No problems.
     
  17. Mar 29, 2011 at 7:57 PM
    #17
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    You can mix synth and non-synth. You can also buy a blend off the shelf. Try a blend for one change, and see if you ntoice any minor leakage.

    OR, there is nothing wrong with petro oil, man. If you are worried, just keep using it.
     
  18. Mar 29, 2011 at 8:05 PM
    #18
    Yoytoda

    Yoytoda The Little Truck That Could

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    synthetic will definitely extend the engine life. it lubricates much better than dino oil. Hense why you should never break in a new engine with synthetic because it lubricates so well the components wont "seat"

    I would switch. I switched my old suburban at 225k and my father still drives it at 490k.
     
  19. Mar 29, 2011 at 8:09 PM
    #19
    johnny230

    johnny230 [OP] Active Member

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    i think im gunna switch more positive feedback then negative, ive done 194,000 miles on the truck and never gone a mile over 3000 for an oil change, so its been well maintained
     
  20. Mar 29, 2011 at 8:17 PM
    #20
    Yamaha Dave

    Yamaha Dave Well-Known Member

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    Just stay away from Royal Purple. They USED to make great products about 10 years ago then they started outsourccing there production and the quality and original formula has gone to shit. The stuff now was so thin my STi used to burn through it in 3 weeks time versus about 2 months in the same weight as Mobile One synthetic.
     

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