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1st Oil change, free but $38 more to change to Syn oil!! Is it worth it??

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by moulin6801, Sep 4, 2010.

  1. Sep 30, 2011 at 6:38 AM
    #61
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    I agree that in the US you can't easily know what you're buying, even though there are very good clues but only if you understand the certifications... both API and manufacturer's... on the label.

    Still, just knowing what 'synthetic' is in the EU doesn't help because they can be... and frequently are... racing oils that have lousy service life in passenger car useage. IMO, what makes buying oils matched to your desired useage in the EU 'easy' are the ACEA sequences.
     
  2. Sep 30, 2011 at 7:01 AM
    #62
    friction

    friction Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, they roped me in years ago w/very reasonable standard oil changes...I've stuck with them just because they are quick, good, and friendly.

    Honestly, Wally World isn't much less than that for synthetic blend.
     
  3. Sep 30, 2011 at 11:17 AM
    #63
    BlueT

    BlueT Well-Known Member

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    I moded 1999 Taco so much it had turned to Land Cruiser
    . Trust me you can easily figure out which engine had run regular oil and which one had good synthetic. All it takes is taking the cover off or oil pan.
    There are significant difference between oils which make synthetic worth every penny
     
  4. Sep 30, 2011 at 11:46 AM
    #64
    AndrewFalk

    AndrewFalk Science!

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    :)
    Exactly. Mobil 1 0w-20 is $8.99 qt. and can't be purchased in a 5 qt. container.

    $8.99 x 5 or 6 qt. = $45-54 + filter.

    I would never trust anyone else to work on my truck.
     
  5. Sep 30, 2011 at 11:48 AM
    #65
    friction

    friction Well-Known Member

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    And I would never trust ME to work on my truck.
     
  6. Sep 30, 2011 at 11:56 AM
    #66
    clothar

    clothar Well-Known Member

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    +1

    Full synthetic is more expensive but you can also run it for longer and at reduces oil sledge. Which i believe is a problem for the 1st gens and really you can go wrong with Mobil 1

    I run mobil 1 full synthetic and it's way more expensive up here in canada but i figure it's cheap insurance against engine problems.
     
  7. Sep 30, 2011 at 11:57 AM
    #67
    AndrewFalk

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    :)
    Hahahaha...OK then. :p
     
  8. Sep 30, 2011 at 12:08 PM
    #68
    friction

    friction Well-Known Member

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    Ain't much recourse against myself if I strip a thread. :D

    And to clarify, were you suggesting $70-75 isn't completely out of line to have a Mobil 1 change done by a "professional?"
     
  9. Sep 30, 2011 at 12:32 PM
    #69
    AndrewFalk

    AndrewFalk Science!

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    :)
    Yes, I was agreeing with you.

    It costs me ~$60 bucks to change my own oil. $70-75 is not far out of line. Shops have to make money too.
     
  10. Sep 30, 2011 at 12:42 PM
    #70
    friction

    friction Well-Known Member

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    Cool. Thanks!
     
  11. Oct 1, 2011 at 4:30 AM
    #71
    buddywh1

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    If you're referring to lack of varnish build up.. synthetic oils have a very heavy additive package with lots of detergents that helps reduce and clean varnish; it's not really the synthetic oil but the additives. The reason for all the additives is to allow extending the oil change intervals which many people don't do... wasting the only benefit (cost-wise) of synthetic oil!

    Varnish deposits don't usually detract from performance or life of the engine so IMHO, it's not really worth paying for synthetic oil just to see shiny insides.

    If someone opens up a motor with sludge or coked oil deposits inside then they're running super crappy oil or very neglectful maintenance. Modern SM or SN petroleum oils, changed at reasonable intervals even in should not do that.

    But I do need to qualify my statement some by saying it's the only benefit for naturally aspirated engines. Turbo'd or supercharged engines should run synthetic oils whether or not you extend drain intervals!
     
  12. Oct 1, 2011 at 5:24 AM
    #72
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    You'll probably be surprised to find how little recourse you have if the so-called 'professional' strips a thread. First, understand that the guy in the pit at your neighborhood oil change shop is probably a high school dropout getting paid minimum wage. Hardly a 'professional'.

    After 15 min's of 'training' he's given a 2 foot long wrench (they don't want workmen's comp claims from over straining) to loosen and tighten the drain bolt. Over a long period of whacking at that huge wrench, way over torqueing that plug (to prevent drips and the resulting come-backs), the bolt WILL STRIP. The don't give a rats ass about what it's doing to your oil pan.

    When it does, the shop that finds the problem will say it's the result of removing/replacing it so many times. BUT, he'll fix you right up...he'll put a rubber plug in it to hold the oil until you can get it to a mechanic to change the pan. No guarantee about drips. Oh, and of course you pay for the repair of the pan since, yep, it's not their fault. Go ahead, take 'em to court if ya want.
     
  13. Oct 1, 2011 at 7:40 AM
    #73
    Night

    Night Well-Known Member

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    I went to get my free oil change and been quoted the same price. Difference is they won't let me put it in till 16k kms. Not even months. They said if I put syn in myself it voids the warranty lol
     
  14. Oct 1, 2011 at 8:04 AM
    #74
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    Must be something in Canada law that allows that cause it's not true in the US. If they make you go to them for maintenance to retain warranty then they have to do it for free. Or, more correctly, it would be be included in the purchase price of the vehicle.
     
  15. Oct 1, 2011 at 8:19 AM
    #75
    TacoDawgfan

    TacoDawgfan Hunker Down You Hairy Dawg!

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    X2 I inquired about it and they said they would do it, but didn't recommend it since the engine wasn't designed for it. :confused:
     
  16. Oct 1, 2011 at 10:31 AM
    #76
    Night

    Night Well-Known Member

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    They outright wouldn't do it. They offered I do it myself but it voided the warranty. I don't know anymore. All I know is my father who helped me buy the truck wants me to go get the 4 oil changes so I agreed to it. The stealership wanted 20$ extra for 0W20.
     
  17. Feb 27, 2012 at 8:53 PM
    #77
    Chadstersloan

    Chadstersloan New Member

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    Has anyone used royal purple syn in the oil change and if so are u happy with it
     

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