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Changing to syntheic oil

Discussion in 'Performance and Tuning' started by Mouse, Jun 2, 2008.

  1. Jun 2, 2008 at 6:12 AM
    #1
    Mouse

    Mouse [OP] Active Member

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    As stated in my other forum posting...im a computer geek not a gear head so please bear with me on these noob questions.

    I am insterested in switching to a synthetic oil. How do I go about doing that? I have my first oil change coming up and would like to do it then.

    Do I need to drain the oil and then flush the system before I put in the synthetic stuff? Do I just drain and replace with synthetic? I was told by one person that I had to put some type of cleaning solution in to get the old regular oil out before I could successfuly use synthetics...

    Seems like a lot of people have changed to a syntheic and are getting some benefit from it. Please share with me how I can change to syntheic oil as well...

    Thnx
    Mouse
     
  2. Jun 2, 2008 at 6:19 AM
    #2
    klown

    klown Tacoma World Ring Leader

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    Just drain it and replace with synthetic. Don't forget to change the oil filter. If you're unsure about changing oil, I would take it to a professional and have them replace it.
     
  3. Jun 2, 2008 at 6:27 AM
    #3
    Mouse

    Mouse [OP] Active Member

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    I am really wanting to start doing most of my service myself. I had a 2000 celica before my Tacoma. I took it in for an oil change and they drained it and never refilled it with oil. As I drove to work I blew the engine and they got away with not refunding me for the damages...My tacoma was my celicas replacments.

    You know what they say...if you want it done right...you have to do it yourself.
     
  4. Jun 2, 2008 at 7:13 AM
    #4
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    As Klown mentioned...

    No flushing needed. Just drain & fill.

    Do a lot of research before you tackle the job. It's an EASY job once you know exactly what you're doing. Paticularly...know exactly which bolt is the drain plug (NOT the transmission drain plug).

    Change the filter and look in your owners manual for how much oil you need to put in.
     
  5. Jun 2, 2008 at 7:22 AM
    #5
    Mouse

    Mouse [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks...

    Im getting a copy of the 2005+ service manual now...I would expect it to show exactly where the oil drain plug is.

    Is there a special synthetic oil filter...or is an oil filter and oil filter?
     
  6. Jun 2, 2008 at 9:57 AM
    #6
    1killerkaw

    1killerkaw Well-Known Member

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    I use Wix or Napa gold oil filter with Castrol syntec.
     
  7. Jun 2, 2008 at 10:07 AM
    #7
    klown

    klown Tacoma World Ring Leader

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    I just get the toyota oil filter that you can buy at the $tealer.
     
  8. Jun 2, 2008 at 10:19 AM
    #8
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    Oil filters & synthetic oils - there are many different types & brands. You can use whatever you want. It's a personal preference. You can easily research oil filters and see what folks are using.

    I'm running toyota filters - no paticular reason why. I got a case of them for a good deal and figured I'd stick with OEM.
     
  9. Jun 2, 2008 at 2:26 PM
    #9
    Bakemono

    Bakemono Wrath of the runbird

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    Just drain out the old oil, replace the old oil filter and refill it with synthetic. There is no need to flush the engine.
    Id suggest using either a Toyota OEM oil filter or a Wix and any oil is fine as long as its a name brand (Mobil, Castrol, Amsoil, etc...) and isnt Pennzoil.
     
  10. Jun 2, 2008 at 3:05 PM
    #10
    tcBob

    tcBob Gringo Bandito Moderator

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    What's wrong with Pennzoil?
     
  11. Jun 2, 2008 at 3:07 PM
    #11
    Hotdog

    Hotdog My hair is all natural Moderator

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    :spy:
     
  12. Jun 2, 2008 at 3:26 PM
    #12
    luk8272

    luk8272 Poodoo

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    Hopefully not much cause about 20 minutes ago I put in 5.5 qts of Pennzoil Platnium.
     
  13. Jun 2, 2008 at 3:45 PM
    #13
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    hell yeah!!! damned good stuff!!!



    nothing at all wrong with pennzoil platinum......i have been using it in my tacoma for 12k miles.....no problems whatsoever!!! its as good, if not better than mobil1(an oil i like also).
     
  14. Jun 2, 2008 at 7:10 PM
    #14
    Bakemono

    Bakemono Wrath of the runbird

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    It has a reputation for leaving a lot of dirt and gunk in the valvetrain. IMO, Pennzoil is to oil what Fram is to filters...
     
  15. Jun 2, 2008 at 7:14 PM
    #15
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    I have heard the same thing, and did some tests on the older stuff that proved its usefull life was spent at less than 1500 miles, but Im not sure about the newer stuff. I hear some good things about it.
     
  16. Jun 2, 2008 at 7:16 PM
    #16
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    tests on.....http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php......show the pennzoil platinum to be really good oil. they do their fair share of testing over there. i havent had any problems with it since i've been running it.
     
  17. Jun 2, 2008 at 7:17 PM
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    Bakemono

    Bakemono Wrath of the runbird

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    Yup, same here. Personally, I wouldnt run Pennzoil in my lawnmower, much less in my truck.
    Ive personally always been a believer in Castrol. I ran Castrol GTX in my '85 4Runner. When I sold that thing it had over 245,000 miles on it, didnt burn a drop of oil and ran like it was brand-new. Castrol is kinda pricey, but its good stuff.
    Almost any of the name brand oils are good though. A lot of people make a big fuss that you have to run Mobil 1 or Amsoil or Royal Purple or whatever, but the fact is that as long as you change the oil every 5,000 miles an engine will just about run forever no matter what oil you use. IMO, doing the proper maintenance is the most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your vehicle.
     
  18. Jun 2, 2008 at 7:18 PM
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    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    At your next change, could you have an analysis done so we can see how it looks on the Tacoma 4.0 engine?
     
  19. Jun 2, 2008 at 7:23 PM
    #19
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    i may give it a try. i had seen a while back on tn that a couple of people had done an analysis on the 4.0 with the pp, theirs turned out pretty good.
     
  20. Jun 2, 2008 at 7:23 PM
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    Hotdog

    Hotdog My hair is all natural Moderator

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    I just changed my oil. I used Mobile 1 synthetic with Mobil 1 filter. The engine sounds much smoother now that I've got synthetic in there. I don't drive much, so I figure I'll just change the oil every six months.
     

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