New Tacoma owner her and have been lurking about a week and want

To say this forum is GREAT find ! A Big hello to all ! Now for my 1st question. As mentioned I am a new owner and am wanting to change my oil. My "new to me " Tacoma 4.0L has 195K and I have no idea what oil has been used in the past and would like some advice as to whether or not go with synthetic oil when I change oil ?

Thanks in advance

TG

 

Welcome

 

Thanks beertime

 

Welcome to TW and you can use either synthetic or non synthetic, it's up to your wallet I personally use Valvoline Synthetic or Mobil 1 Synthetic

 

Mobil 1 synthetic

 

Thanks

 

Thanks

 

Welcome I use Mobil1 Extended Performance Synthetic

 

Thanks

 

Welcome. When I have received my "free" oil changes from Toyota, I'll be changing the oil myself. I'll be using a synthetic. Probably Mobile 1. I'll just have to make a decision at that time.

 

First time you change oil, make sure that you find the oil pan, not the trans pan.

 

The reality is if you are very good about changing oil every 3k, there is no benefit to synthetic. Conventional oil protects just as well. Yes you can go further between changes using synthetic but even then I would not go past 5k.

 

hmmmmmmmmm point well made I will watch youtube to make sure of location

 

Go to Mods & Tutorials at the top and click on DIY Oil change or click the link. Lots of good info there.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4-0l-1gr-2nd-gen-oil-change-guide.11201/#post-124480

 

Synthetic oils are FAR superior to conventional oils! The only issue with switching is somtimes synthetic oils tend to cause leaks out of gaskets that are used to Dino oils. I think if it was my truck I would not chance it with that amount of miles.

 

Do you take it to 15k miles between changes?

 

Sounds like a personal problem.

Synthetics do have the advantage over dino that they can last substantially longer. Just because you have a psychological issue with it doesn't mean synthetic doesn't have benefits.

Keep changing your oil at 3k so you can feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. I'll change mine every 10-15k and have just as much engine longevity as you.

 

Welcome to TW

 

No I change at 10k

 

Even Dino oil can go longer then 3k. Places recommend 3k so they sell more oil.

Send your oil to an oil test facility, and find out how far you can go with it. It'd probably surprise you.