synthetic engine oil

I recently perchased a 2011 used certified tacoma accesscab with 4K miles. I just received information from Toyota about oil changes. They said to used synthetic engine oil. What is difference between the two ( synthetic vs regular)?

Also why does the 4 cylinder engine take 6+ quarts of oil where as the 6 cylinder only takes 5+ quarts?

Thanks for the information.

 

Capt14
Welcome to TW

The main difference is that a syn oil will not break down as the eng temp rises. Also the qualities of a syn oil help protect moving parts for a longer distance. If you change your oil every 3 to 5K it should not matter if you use a syn or dino oil.

I cannot answer the capicaty question of the 4 cyl vs the 6 cyl. I do know that the ability to have more oil in the engine for lubrication is a good thing.

 

Synthetic is a better blend. It runs smoother, lasts longer, I found my engine started up smoother after switching. It's worth it

 

How many miles do you guys let the engine go for til you change oil when using synthetic?

 

I usually go 5K between changes.

 

7,500 miles with synthetic. If I've been doing a lot of towing or heavy hauling, I'll change it sooner but it's always looked pretty decent, even at 7,500 miles.

 

I'm running Mobil 1 5w 30 and am at 8k. The oil isn't even that dark its like a topaz color right now. What do you guys think?

 

What oil filters do you guys use? I've used fram

 

I think it depends on how you run your truck. If you drive it like you stole it, spend a lot of time towing or heavy hauling, do track days where the engine spends a lot of time at or above 4k RPM's or off road frequently, I'd say stick to 3 - 5,000 mile intervals. Personally, I treat my truck very well so I don't mind pushing it to 7,500 miles. As Brock said though, the filter is only recommended to stay on for 5,000 miles so if you want to push the oil over 10k miles, you should really consider changing the filter mid-oil change. I do not feel I'm doing any harm in extending to 7,500 miles.

 

I agree, it's how you run/use your truck. I have been using Mobil 1 5w 30 synthetic for years now, Tundras & Tacomas. I can run 10 k on oil, & 5k on Filter, my auto Tech checks the consistance of the oil to make sure 10 K is OK, just a visual thing. Have not had any issues thus far, & the price difference doing it this way still breaks about even with Reg Oil every 3k...
To each their Own! I was doing the tires every 5k (roatate), then I went to 10k, may go back, rides rougher at 10k.
08 DCSB 4x4

 

I nvr shift past 3k rpms I do get there quick though. Meaning gassing it, mostly just commuting back and fourth from work and school city miles. Off roading is once in a while. So with that being said I don't think I push it too much. After how many miles would you guys bump to 10w motor oil?

 

My manual says 5w30, I'll use that til the motor dies. I've never been big on changing oil weights unless climate dictates a change.

 

Sweet! Thanks for all the replies guys!

 

I've been doing lots of research lately on this very topic. Here's what I've unearthed:
Most of the following is based on oil analysis done every 1,000 miles:
Synthetic generally lasts about 17,000 miles before tests show that its various numbers across the board are worn out (M1).
Synthetic's sweet spot seems to be about 7,000 miles. That is, changing synthetic every 5,000 miles robs the engine of the best properties of synthetic oil.
Regardless of what oil you use, ALWAYS replace the filter every 3,000-5,000 miles. This helps refresh synthetic, and it reduces the chances of a plugged filter.
Amsoil is a wonderfully marketed product. Note I did not say it's a wonderful oil. That's because after about 6,000 miles the viscosity REALLY starts going up, almost exponentially. In fact, at about the 9,000 mile mark, it has shifted one entire viscosity range thicker. Another 3,000 miles and it shifts ANOTHER viscosity range. By the time it was drained at 17,000 miles it was at the high end of 20W50 (and it started off at 5W30!).
Redline is the only synthetic oil with 100% synthetic base stock. Ester base stock, I believe.

Here is my personal experience:
Mobil 1 is a great oil. Lasts quite a while. Have not tested it beyond 8,000 miles. Easy to find, and a very good oil. No complaints.
Redline is a phenomenal oil. I did annual changes of this, and the engine seemed to LOVE it (1994 Mitsubishi Might Max pickup, 4cyl). The viscosity wouldn't creep up at all until about 12,000 miles, and then only marginally. I took the pan off at one point to replace the front cover seal; at 150,000 miles on it, it looked like I could eat off it! I would almost say it was cleaner then than when it left the factory.
When running Redline in my old Mits, I was getting better fuel economy than what was advertised on the sticker (ad: 14-18mpg. Actual: 19.5-30mpg. Overall I got about 21.5mpg). And this is the old sticker system, that usually advertised lab numbers, rather than the lower real-life numbers.

If y'all are really going to hold my feet to the fire and provide sources, I can. But it was really all just a bunch of internet searching that got me the info.

 

I am a fan of Redline myself. It is all I use.

I use the K&N HP-2009 filter. It is a larger filter than the recommended filter and works on the 2.7 engine.

 

Good post! Could you point me to where you found the info on Mobil 1? I currently change it every 7,500 miles and am really interested in the info you found regarding the 'sweet spot'. If you have any particular links, I'd be interested in reading. I'll do some searching myself but it sounds like you found some good information.

 

I believe the reason why the I4 has a greater oil capacity is due to the fact that in most instances, the 4 banger will be revving higher and working harder than the V6. This in turn generates more heat, and having that additional quart of oil helps to keep everything running cool. This is simple heat transfer...6 quarts of oil will stay at a lower temperature for a longer period of time, then a similar setup with 5 quarts of oil. Just my thoughts.

 

I understand the larger oil capacity and the ability to cool/lubricate the engine. I was also under the believe the engine will use more oil as it absorbs the heat, etc.

As a newer engine how much oil do you guys have to add between oil changes at 5000 miles?

Thanks for the input group.

 

I had a 98 Tacoma since new and now an 05, I haven't ever needed to add oil between changes. I still check regularly, but I haven't had any issues to date.