Synthetic oil

Why does Toyota not recommend synthetic oil for the newer Tacomas?

 

Because they don't want to pay for synthetic on your free warranty service visits. They'd rather use bulk oil. ???

 

It's becoming the norm and is better for the environment.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-changing-your-oil.html

 

Our trucks have 250 hp synthetic isn't necessary. We can go 5000 miles or more on conventional. I've seen vehicles with 100k miles on conventional switch to synthetic and develop oil leaks. I honestly think synthetic in our trucks would be a waste, I've been wrong before. Maybe I should run synthetic in my lawnmower? Just because I can.

 

True but once they expose the leak putting conventional oil back in wont be the fix. I believe in the old saying if it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

I would necessarily say the engines had issues I would call them " broke in"

 

You can but that would be a waste of money. Lawnmower engines do not go through the rigors of car motors. I've only changed the oil once on my 17-year old Craftsman mower. It don't leak and doesn't burn oil.

Syn oils used to leak because the seal-swell characteristics differed from those of the mineral oils they replaced, not because syn oil was thinner. That problem has been resolved in today's syn oil.

That can be counter-productive to progress.

 

All I'm saying is why? Why spend twice as much on oil for nothing at all other than to say you run synthetic? I have run high compression motorcycles on simi synthetic but never full. These half ass trucks with no compression to speak of don't justify tha full synthetic treatment IMHO

 

I'd be willing to bet if you put synthetic in that 17 y/o lawnmower you would find all the leaks. Stick with conventional, if only every 10 years.

 

Ok we get it you don't like synthetic.

/thread

 

I do.

While classified as an air cooled engine, the oil does as much cooling as air.

For me it's free though, because I use the oil drained from one of my vehicles. They all run syn that gets changed at 10-12k, so there's still lots of life left.

 

switched mine to syn when I bought it with 141,000 on the OD....never a problem, I go 7500 between changes, sitting at 278,000 now.....Toyota filter, WallyMart 5-20w bulk SynTec brand, have to get a spare quart every other change as the 3.4 takes more than 5 to hit the F line.....no leaks, but I do have some small weeping from the valve covers......they build them good and with consistent regular maintenance they last a long time....only part on engine that has been replaced is the alt (other than plugs, wires and filter), orginal went south just last week, EZ to change....

 

These 'leaks' that you speak of....is not a full blown leak. It's more like a 'seepage' and its not necessarily because of a problem with your seals, it's the nature of what Synthetics do.

It's obvious you don't like synthetics - and that's fine. But there are reasons why people use synthetics.

Synthetic oils penetrate further than conventional oils. That 'penetration' is what lubricates areas of your engine that conventional oils can't. Synthetic oils tend to 'cleanse' and remove sludge keeping the engine cleaner than conventional oils.

Putting synthetic in early is the best - because you get that penetration and keep things clean. The seals are 'conditioned' with synthetics. Putting synthetic in later in life, will remove sludge buildup and penetrate into areas that have never been lubricated before....causing this 'seepage' (seals were never 'conditioned' with synthetic).


Why waste the money on synthetics? If you asked the synthetic users - most of them would say because of the penetration and cleansing. Other folks might claim longer oil change intervals. There might be other reasons.
How could you argue against getting more penetration, lubrication, & cleansing?

 

you guys dont know what youre talking about if you think synthetic oil causes leaks you shouldnt be touching any motor.......its could your seals are worn out not synthetic oil causing leaks .....i use synthetic in my tacoma and i dont have any leaks what so ever its a MYTH people blew it out of proportion.....i know someone is going to argue with me but im sick and tired reading false information on any auto forum.

 

I'm not totally against it I just can't justify its application in a stock Tacoma motor.

 

I'm coming up on my first 5k oil change. I'm planning on going synthetic.

The question is; at what interval do I change it? Every 7.5k? Every 10k?

Thanks

 

i do mine every 5k with synthetic

 

Get a synthetic oil filter (I prefer Mobil One Extended) and you can safely go 10K with full synthetic oil. I had been going 15K with Mobil One Extended but I'm dropping to 10K now that my engine is approaching 150K.

The price of syn oils has gone down that it actually makes more economical cents to go syn.

Castro Edge Titanium syn = $29 for 5 qts
(guaranteed for 15K)
Fram Ultra syn OF = $10 - Total $39 for an oil change every 10K (or 15K if you follow the 15K guarantee)
(also has 15K guarantee)

Castro GTX conventional = $17 for 5qts
Fram OF = $5 - Total $22 every 5K, or $44 every 10K, or $66 every 15K, not to mention the time to do a 2nd oil change and disposal.

 

Blackstone labs. Send them a sample of your syn @5k and they'll tell you the health of the oil.

 

My 2015 calls for synthetic

$54 0w-20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0w-20 oil so that's what I'll run.