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Synthetic oil for 1st gen?

Discussion in '4 Cylinder' started by brigas, Jul 23, 2012.

  1. Jul 23, 2012 at 8:33 PM
    #1
    brigas

    brigas [OP] Active Member

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    What is the difference between synthetic oil and regular oil and which one would be the best for 2.7 l4 2001?

    I looked around but i couldn't find much information. thanks
     
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  2. Jul 23, 2012 at 8:44 PM
    #2
    JTacoma

    JTacoma Well-Known Member

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  3. Jul 23, 2012 at 8:44 PM
    #3
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    Synthetic oil has a higher film strength, greater film retention (more oil remains where it needs to be for cold starts in the morning), better cold-flow performance, higher resistance to coking (cause of sludge).

    There are no disadvantages to using a quality synthetic.
    Use the same weight that would be used with "regular" oil, most likely 5w30.
     
  4. Jul 23, 2012 at 9:10 PM
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    brigas

    brigas [OP] Active Member

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    are there any steps i should take before moving to synthetic oil? and is it possible to move between synthetic and regular?
     
  5. Jul 23, 2012 at 9:19 PM
    #5
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    Ya...

    Get a drain pain, 5 or 6 quarts of oil, and a new filter, maybe a filter wrench.

    Crawl underneath and drain the old oil and replace the filter.
    Put the drain plug back in, and put the synthetic oil in. ;)
     
  6. Jul 23, 2012 at 9:53 PM
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    brigas

    brigas [OP] Active Member

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    ive been looking online and synthetics cost $10 per quart. it will cost like 60 in total. is that normal or do you guys usually buy it during sales
     
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  7. Jul 23, 2012 at 10:20 PM
    #7
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    Ditto.

    Where are you? Costco frequently puts Mobil-1 5w30 on sale for $26 for 6 quarts.

    Amsoil is good, but once you add shipping, it's not economical, and it's no better than Mobil-1.
     
  8. Jul 23, 2012 at 10:21 PM
    #8
    Bennett707

    Bennett707 Station707

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    No more taco life for me
    i paid 40$ for 6qts and a filter. with a napa discount. i feel like i got a bad deal now :(
     
  9. Jul 23, 2012 at 10:27 PM
    #9
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    $40 for 6 quarts and a filter isn't bad.

    Costco's normal price is $36 for 6 quarts, and the normal per-quart price is close to $7.

    Figure a Pure-One filter is around $6, or a basic Wix (still a good filter) is $4 or so and you're right in the ballpark.

    Honestly, the OEM Toyota filter is a great filter, and they are cheap from the online sellers, and some local dealers sell them cheap.... $4 or so.
     
  10. Jul 23, 2012 at 10:30 PM
    #10
    Bennett707

    Bennett707 Station707

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    its premium filter, not the cheapo one. i wish i had the receipt.
     
  11. Jul 23, 2012 at 11:25 PM
    #11
    brigas

    brigas [OP] Active Member

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  12. Jul 29, 2012 at 5:01 AM
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    MiikeyD

    MiikeyD The Green Machine

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    Correct me if I'm Wrong but once you use synthetic oil, you can't go back. But go synthetic, worth it :)
     
  13. Jul 31, 2012 at 4:09 AM
    #13
    n0ms

    n0ms Well-Known Member

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    I use toyotas thailand v6 oil filters and run mobil 1 or penzoil.
     
  14. Jul 31, 2012 at 4:44 AM
    #14
    JDMcQ

    JDMcQ Well-Known Member

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    Like Whip said, this is not true. You can switch back and forth, even mix synthetic and conventional, no problem.
     
  15. Aug 7, 2021 at 6:34 PM
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    ayyzee

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    I have a guy who owns this tire shop like 3 miles from my house “American Town N’ Country Tire” and he gives me full synthetic oil changes for $58 and cabin filters are between $18 and $22 depending on brand. He also hooked me up with 4 brand new fatty truck tires for my Tacoma for only $560! Homie hookup!
     
  16. Aug 7, 2021 at 6:37 PM
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    ROAD DOG

    ROAD DOG Well-Known Member

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    under some circumstances it is ill adivised

    a hi mileage engine may Not benefit

    under rare circumstances it may cause excessive loss in hi mileage engines
     
  17. Aug 7, 2021 at 6:41 PM
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    ROAD DOG

    ROAD DOG Well-Known Member

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    OEM toyota filter is as good as any

    may actually cost slightly more

    yet U are NOT payin for hype.......marketing.......& advertising
     
  18. Aug 7, 2021 at 6:48 PM
    #18
    MalinoisDad

    MalinoisDad Misanthropic dog person

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    This is simple. Big box auto stores almost always have a sale on oil and oil filter combo.

    I’ve been using Mobil 1 high mileage advanced full synthetic 5w-30 for all six years of my ownership of this truck as the 2nd owner. I’ve sent my used oil in to Blackstone labs to be analyzed multiple times, all with glowing reports of a healthy engine.

    I also use a slightly oversized oil filter. Again, Mobil 1, part number M1-209A. Gives me peace of mind for an 8k interval change.

    I never spend more than $40-45 for a complete oil change, and no one does it but me.

    93C03435-D1A0-4598-A8EA-CD95B0F5C4E5.jpg
     
  19. Aug 7, 2021 at 8:59 PM
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    brwntms

    brwntms Well-Known Member

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    I’ve been debating whether to get the Amsoil signature series 5w-30 (5) quarts for 60 or just use costco Kirkland brand where it’s two gal jugs for $26 and change every 2k miles. I’m at 298k right now can feel the engine slowing down due to age.

    for now I’ll just switch to the 2k intervals.
     
  20. Aug 7, 2021 at 9:23 PM
    #20
    Poncate

    Poncate Well-Known Member

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    I like to use Valvoline 5w30 every 5k miles with a OEM filter. I change the the plug washer/gasket each time too. And no issues running it. I think the truck was on dino when I bought it 60k ago

    And way to revive an old thread!!! No need to start a new one for the same topic
     

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