Dealership decided to put in synthetic oil

Wow. That's a lot of oil. I have trouble just keeping up with the maintenance on the wife and I's 2 vehicles. Sounds like you stay pretty busy.

 

so whats a good viscosity synthetic oil for a 2014 taco?

 

Tried to read the whole thread couldn't make sense so thought why don't I just ask?

 

Same as conventional. When in doubt, read your oil cap!

 

Never knew the oil cap had that info. :|

 

0-20 or 5-20 for the 4 bangers

5-30 or 10-30 for the v6'ers

 

switching back and forth or using a blend can not be an issue because there are lots of blends sold on the market.

the question is - is your synthetic oil really synthetic?

In the late 1990s, Castrol started selling an oil made from Group III base oil and called it SynTec Full Synthetic. Mobil sued Castrol, asserting that this oil was not synthetic, but simply a highly refined petroleum oil, and therefore it was false advertising to call it synthetic. In 1999, Mobil lost their lawsuit. It was decided that the word "synthetic" was a marketing term and referred to properties, not to production methods or ingredients. Castrol continues to make SynTec out of Group III base oils, that is highly purified oil with most all of the cockroach bits removed.

Shortly after Mobil lost their lawsuit, most oil companies started reformulating their synthetic oils to use Group III base stocks instead of PAOs or diester stocks as their primary component. Most of the "synthetic oil" you can buy today is actually mostly made of this highly-distilled and purified dino-juice called Group III oil. Group III base oils cost about half as much as the synthetics. By using a blend of mostly Group III oils and a smaller amount of "true" synthetics, the oil companies can produce a product that has nearly the same properties as the "true" synthetics, and nearly the same cost as the Group III oil.

 

The words "nearly the same properties" are noteworthy. This is why it's necessary to carefully watch what's put in your truck. If you expect the benefits of synthetic, you'll have to specify what you want or do it yourself. We've entered the world of 'cheap synethetics' and 'quality synthetics' some of which may be good for extended intervals, some not.

 

Does M1 make true synthetic oil or did they switch to Group III?

 

OCI is *not* established due to dirt. Your filter is likely doing just fine. OCIs are in place for losing the additive pack in the oil, possible fuel dilution from primarily short-trip operation where the vehicle doesn't achieve normal operating temperature, and shearing. But saying oil breaks down is not really all that true. Nothing really happens to the base stocks from what I've read.

There are plenty of used oil analyses that support OCIs of 10k miles, depending on the brand and grade, even in city driving. Pay attention to warranty specs, however.

 

I think its funny that most questions are answered here in the second post but this thread is now 3 pages long.

One thing I'd like to know that I haven't seen answered is why the tacoma is the only 1gr engine not using 0/20 oil. I can understand the difference in interval miles but why the difference in recommended weight?

 

There are 3 companies that make a synthetic oil Mobil is not one of them. Mobile 1 is not allowed to sell their oil as a synthetic oil overseas it is a blend as is most of the so called synthetic oil sold in the states.

 

kinda funny they sued Castrol for marketing Syntec as synthetic, lose and start doing the same.

 

Regarding synthetic oil...I have a 2014 Tacoma Sport (400 miles...)
At what milage are you guys/gals switching to synthetic oils?

Thanks for the replies.

 

When you say full synthetic what are you talking about? If your dealer uses Mobil1 it isn't full synthetic.

Even if it was no harm.

FYI: My Toyota tech said to put in thicker oil to reduce Taco tick and lifter noises from engine. Anyone else hear this?

 

I've been using Amsoil Signature

$52 0W-20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0W-20 oil in my Tacoma since it's first oil change. The manual calls for either 5W-20 or 0W-20 oil. I change it every 10k miles. Oil looks relatively clean at 10k miles.
I've been a believer in Amsoil ever since I first used it in my 2006 Kawasaki Nomad motorcycle. The engine ran much quieter and cooler than with any other brands of oil I tried. The engine also had a small oil leak from one of the cylinder gaskets since it was new. The leak stopped when I switched to Amsoil. Now I use Amsoil in all of my vehicles. Obviously I'm not affiliated with Amsoil but I like their products.

 

After my free oil changes are up

 

Now wait a minute... I usually get less confused when I read things here.

I thought Mobil 1 was good stuff. But its not *really* synthetic?

So what are the three companies that are making real synthetic?

 

This should answer your question:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2548209