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Toyota Care Synthetic Oil?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by TacoSport, Aug 18, 2011.

  1. Aug 18, 2011 at 2:33 PM
    #1
    TacoSport

    TacoSport [OP] opinions are like assholes; everyones got one.

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    My 2011 V6 Sport is now at 10k miles so I brought it in for it's scheduled service last week. I expected to get synthetic but instead got conventional oil. Toyota Care packet states my VIN and to use Synthetic oil.

    According to the service manager the mechanic used conventional oil because the oil cap reads 5/30 and if the factory used synthetic it would read 0/20.

    He also stated there is no documentation from TOYO stating the V6 now uses synthetic from factory. Anyone else get a package stating synthetic but the oil cap states 5/30?

    He photocopied my package and is following up and also offered to change it back to synthetic but I opted to wait to do some more research first.

    Note that I had changed it to M1 EP 5/30 and TOYO filter at 3k miles, new filter at 8k miles and have also been running the same product/method for 70k miles in the 4Runner and it runs smooth so I doubt the weight is going to be an issue, but what does concern me is that the dealerships don't even know what oil to use in the vehicles. I thought they would pull my specs/requirements from the VIN but apparently they don't. WTF
     
  2. Aug 18, 2011 at 2:48 PM
    #2
    TacoDawgfan

    TacoDawgfan Hunker Down You Hairy Dawg!

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    I just had my first Toyota Care service done and I asked about putting synthetic in. First off they told me the same story, my V6 calls for standard Toyota oil, not synthetic. Second said that only certain engines were designed for it. WTF? The SA acted like it wouldn't be good for it since it wasn't designed for it. :rolleyes: Then he said they could do it but it would cost me the difference of the oil. Okay, My way of thinking is subtract the cost of the standard oil and then add the cost of the synthetic, so maybe an extra $20 or so. They told me $46 extra to do the synthetic. :eek: Never mind, hell if I was going to spend that I might as well have done it my self. Not sure if I will go back to use the Toyota Care again or not.

    On a side note, Got home and checked my oil and I cant seem to get a clean reading on the dip stick no matter what I do. I even let it sit over night and checked it, still has oil back and forth all over the dip stick. The best and most consistent reading I can get looks like it's over full by a little. I'm a little concerned with that but since I can't seem to get a good read on it I don't know what to think.
     
  3. Aug 18, 2011 at 4:00 PM
    #3
    TacoSport

    TacoSport [OP] opinions are like assholes; everyones got one.

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    I am calling TOYO tomorrow to find out for sure. I am fairly certain my truck shipped with synthetic and it even says to use sythetic oil on my care packet and also to change it as 10k interval, which is standard for synthetic. Same deal on the dip stick... Nice looking truck BTW :D
     
  4. Aug 21, 2011 at 3:27 PM
    #4
    linkfeeney

    linkfeeney Well-Known Member

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    why are you guys bothering to go back to the dealer to do the oil change? I do it myself and get the oil that I want to put in, right now I use the pennzoil ultra! Got it from wal-mart, dirt cheap!! It costs around $40 to do it yourself! Its cake!!
     
  5. Aug 22, 2011 at 10:38 AM
    #5
    TacoSport

    TacoSport [OP] opinions are like assholes; everyones got one.

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    Actually, I changed over to M1 EP at 3k miles and changed out the filter again at 8k. I paid for TOYO CARE and I want my monies worth. Spoke with TOYO HQ last week and they are still trying to figure this one out.
     
  6. Aug 22, 2011 at 10:52 AM
    #6
    Treedawg37

    Treedawg37 Well-Known Member

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    i just purchased my 2011 a few months ago. some 2011 are comming with syn and others were not. mine didntit came with 5/30. now the service department and salesman both told me i could get it converted to syn upon my first service if i wanted but i dont see the advantages other than longer between oil changes.
     
  7. Aug 22, 2011 at 11:03 AM
    #7
    TacoDawgfan

    TacoDawgfan Hunker Down You Hairy Dawg!

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    Funny how each dealership tells you so much different from one another. Mine wanted to charge me the extra for the cost of the synthetic. They also said they wouldn't recommend it as the engine in my truck wasn't designed for it. :rolleyes:
     
  8. Aug 22, 2011 at 11:15 AM
    #8
    T@co_Pr3runn3r

    T@co_Pr3runn3r XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    A. Why wouldn't the dealership should follow their own documentation? Stupid.

    B. Get you a 0/20 oil cap from somewhere to eliminate the hassle. Play their game against them.

    C. You just handed him documentation that says so. Again, why can't they go by their own documentation? Lame shit.

    D. They use VIN to do everything else. Why the fuck not now? More lameness.

    E. Same thing here, new oil, sits overnight, still hard as hell to see level. (4 cyl here)

    F. Because the were given the care package when they bought the truck? Why not make the dealer do what they advertised.......other than the chances you take with sketchy oil changers, fight to get same oil as it came with, a new filter & the drain plug being tight.

    G. not even dirt is dirt cheap anymore....but I know what you meant. It is cheaper than other full synthetics.

    H. Longer oil change intervals is an advantage that has you spending your free time less often at the dealer for maintenance they promised or..........if your 2 yr joke care is done then you spend your free time doing it yourself less often and spend your money on it less often.
     
  9. Aug 22, 2011 at 11:16 AM
    #9
    Treedawg37

    Treedawg37 Well-Known Member

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    yea i know. they are all different. now they didnt say i would/wouldnt have to pay the dfference. i may be wrong but a vehicle doesnt have to be "designed" for syn oil? we put it in my sons 99 accord and i dont think syn was around then.
     
  10. Aug 22, 2011 at 5:38 PM
    #10
    TacoSport

    TacoSport [OP] opinions are like assholes; everyones got one.

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    Convert to syn for better mileage and less engine wear
     
  11. Aug 22, 2011 at 5:54 PM
    #11
    samsung

    samsung Well-Known Member

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    forget the stealership for oil changes. i have a 2011 taco and they keep sending me reminders for my toyota care. I never go to the stealership even if it's freee. a lot of times auto zone has specials going on for a 5plus qts of m1 and a filter for $29.99. i usuallly buy a few of those and stock them.
     
  12. Aug 24, 2011 at 10:21 AM
    #12
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Synthetics are available in MORE than one weight. = stupid excuse.

    OP: don't go back to this dealer. Manual says use synth, so it should be used.

    Just change your on oil, it doesn't void the warranty as long as you keep your oil/filter receipts. It's takes 30 minutes, and it's cheaper than having the Stealership do it. Plus, you put what oil YOU want in it, not what some mechanic happens to have handy, and is too lazy to find the recommended oil.
     
  13. Aug 24, 2011 at 10:32 AM
    #13
    rbeezy

    rbeezy Well-Known Member

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    i dont go to the dealership, even for the free Toyota Care service. i like doing it myself and having the peace of mind knowing that i put the right amount of oil and the kind of oil i want. dont trust dealership
     
  14. Aug 24, 2011 at 10:34 AM
    #14
    rydaniels

    rydaniels Well-Known Member

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    I took mine in today. I figured that if it was free oil change and tire rotation, why not?. At any rate I didn't have any issues. I was told that the oil being used and that would be used on my 4cyl would be a synthetic blend. On top of the tire rotation and oil change the dealer...(who I did not buy the truck from) threw in a free car wash. Couldn't complain. I got home and checked my oil and it was difficult to read but it was full. I would have rather done it myself but with the semester rapidly approaching and on a budget I went for the free maintenance. The free "multi-point" inspection was nice too. I hate not doing my own work but as I said before it was free and with zero hassles or issues and the dealership seemingly good, might as well milk it. By the way the dealer was Holman Toyota in Mt. Laurel, NJ
     
  15. Aug 24, 2011 at 10:36 AM
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    xJuice

    xJuice My spoon is too Big!

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    Just go get your free oil changes people. Conventional is perfectly fine. Screw the "Toyota Care" packet, it's marketing garbage. Check your owners manual; I bet it doesn't mention synthetic anywhere...just that it needs to be ILSAC multigrade and 5W-30 viscosity (for the V6)...
     
  16. Aug 24, 2011 at 2:21 PM
    #16
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    I don't think the issue is using synth vs conventional. The issue is that the factory recommends synth for a particular vehicle, then when said vehicle is taken to dealership for recommended oil change, they DON'T use what factory recommends.

    Personally, I use conventional. I like lubing my engine with dead dinosaurs. But if Toyota reccommended using synth for my vehicle, I would, and so should the dealer.

    Newer Tacos DO reccomend synth oil, BTW....
     
  17. Aug 24, 2011 at 2:45 PM
    #17
    xJuice

    xJuice My spoon is too Big!

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    Where does it say syth is required?
     
  18. Aug 24, 2011 at 3:00 PM
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    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Okay, I'm not 100% sure about Toyota recommending synth. I have an 04, but from what I've heard, Toyota started recommending synth in 08 or 09 models and newer. The OP has a 2011.
     
  19. Aug 24, 2011 at 3:10 PM
    #19
    xJuice

    xJuice My spoon is too Big!

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    2011 manual says ILSAC SAE 0W-20 for 2.7L, and ILSAC SAE 5W-30 for 4.0L. No mention of synthetic or conventional.

    If anyone is recommending synth it's just for marketing. Leaves room for up-sales.
     
  20. Aug 24, 2011 at 3:55 PM
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    Hard

    Hard Well-Known Member

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    I guess you haven't tried to find a 0W20 Dino oil.....all 0W20 oils are full synthetic as I understand it.
     

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