1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Too late for synthetic & which brand

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Backt, Oct 16, 2015.

?

Which synthetic to use

  1. Mobile 1

    51 vote(s)
    79.7%
  2. Red line

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. Amsoil

    5 vote(s)
    7.8%
  4. Other please reply

    8 vote(s)
    12.5%
  1. Oct 17, 2015 at 2:11 PM
    #21
    luchin

    luchin living the Canadian dream

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2015
    Member:
    #159648
    Messages:
    1,329
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    15 6MT DCSB SR5
    OME 885 coils, Dakar leaf pack, Bilstein 5100 struts, SCS Matte Jet Black SR8 wheels, 265/75/16 Toyo Open Country AT II, Arrow cap, Truxedo Truxsport Tonneau cover, TRD Exhaust, colour matched grill.
    AmsOil
    M1
    Royal Purple
    Castrol
    Pennzoil

    Pick one and do your oil change.
     
  2. Oct 17, 2015 at 2:13 PM
    #22
    luchin

    luchin living the Canadian dream

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2015
    Member:
    #159648
    Messages:
    1,329
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    15 6MT DCSB SR5
    OME 885 coils, Dakar leaf pack, Bilstein 5100 struts, SCS Matte Jet Black SR8 wheels, 265/75/16 Toyo Open Country AT II, Arrow cap, Truxedo Truxsport Tonneau cover, TRD Exhaust, colour matched grill.
    You should be more concerned about wether or not the oil you choose can be had in an 0Wxx. But that discussion is an entirely different thread.
     
  3. Oct 17, 2015 at 2:36 PM
    #23
    jsi

    jsi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2013
    Member:
    #102881
    Messages:
    1,996
    Gender:
    Male
    native earthling
    Meh - For a plain jane pickup truck I don't buy the synthetic hype. Does it give me enough improvement in MPG to make up the difference in cost? Not that I've ever seen documented. Does it get me laid more? I'm married. (and if you're married you know what I'm talking about :ballchain: ) Does it make the engine last longer? Maybe, but at what cost over the life of the truck? Do you break even? Is it "cheap" insurance? ABSOLUTELY not. It is way expensive insurance. The most miles I've ever put on a car was 150K. From brand new it got it's oil changed about every 3 - 4K miles. When I sold the car it was still not burning a drop of oil and the engine would probably be good for another 150K. Had I been putting synthetic in all of the benefit would have gone to the next owner. Besides, the rust was going to kill that car long before the engine ever died. So yet another reason to not use synthetic.

    Nope, I'm not an oil fanboy. I buy the cheapest name brand dino oil I can find. I change it every 5K miles when the nag light comes on and in between I don't give it much thought at all.
     
  4. Oct 17, 2015 at 2:45 PM
    #24
    luchin

    luchin living the Canadian dream

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2015
    Member:
    #159648
    Messages:
    1,329
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    15 6MT DCSB SR5
    OME 885 coils, Dakar leaf pack, Bilstein 5100 struts, SCS Matte Jet Black SR8 wheels, 265/75/16 Toyo Open Country AT II, Arrow cap, Truxedo Truxsport Tonneau cover, TRD Exhaust, colour matched grill.
    I hear what you're saying jsi but, other then marketing, why do manufacturers encourage the use of Synthetic over Dyno? This is something I've wondered for many years.
     
  5. Oct 17, 2015 at 2:53 PM
    #25
    saumon

    saumon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2010
    Member:
    #39696
    Messages:
    87
    Gender:
    Male
    Montreal, Qc, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2015 DC LB 4x4 SR5 SSM
    They don't. It's recommended and what's came in my 2012 Highlander 3.5L. Never seen anywhere Toyota recommending synthetic oil for the 2nd gen Taco.
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2015
  6. Oct 17, 2015 at 3:27 PM
    #26
    luchin

    luchin living the Canadian dream

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2015
    Member:
    #159648
    Messages:
    1,329
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    15 6MT DCSB SR5
    OME 885 coils, Dakar leaf pack, Bilstein 5100 struts, SCS Matte Jet Black SR8 wheels, 265/75/16 Toyo Open Country AT II, Arrow cap, Truxedo Truxsport Tonneau cover, TRD Exhaust, colour matched grill.
    Sorry, I realize they don't call for Synthetic in the Tacoma. What I'm asking is if there is no 'real' benefit to Synthetic, why push it at all. What is so different about the 3.5L Atkins engine that it requires Synthetic oil?
     
  7. Oct 17, 2015 at 3:49 PM
    #27
    saumon

    saumon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2010
    Member:
    #39696
    Messages:
    87
    Gender:
    Male
    Montreal, Qc, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2015 DC LB 4x4 SR5 SSM
    Personally, I think there's a benefit, but not worth the price difference, so it doesn't make sense, economically (but we all know car-related decisions were more emotive than economical). As an example with totally unproven numbers, let's say it prolong the life engine by 50%, from 400k miles to 600k miles, but cost 100% more, it clearly doesn't worth it. At that price, it has to double the engine life to break even on the benefits/costs, and even then, you'll have to reach that mileage to see the benefits...

    That being said, after using synthetic on my previous Taco, I noticed it sounded a lot less clunky on Canadian winter mornings start-ups.
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2015
  8. Oct 17, 2015 at 3:56 PM
    #28
    6xchamps

    6xchamps Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Member:
    #143514
    Messages:
    397
    Gender:
    Male
    Fuquay Varina NC
    Vehicle:
    2015 AC
    Walmart typically has 5qt jugs for 25 bucks. Costco runs specials of 6 individual qts for basically that same price from time to time with instant 10 bucks off specials. In addition to that there are frequently rebate specials from Mobil 1 of you buy 5qts as well but that special is only good from certain vendors. Walmart is typically an approved one
     
  9. Oct 17, 2015 at 4:02 PM
    #29
    Plain Jane Taco

    Plain Jane Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2009
    Member:
    #16179
    Messages:
    40,279
    Gender:
    Male
    USA
    OP....don't over think this. Oil threads have a tendency to spin your head as everyone has an opinion on "the best" juice. Just stick with something easily available like M1 or any of the synthetics you can pick up at Wal-Mart. Pick a decent filter like the OEM, Purolator PureOne, Purolator Syntheitc...M1 makes one too. Just find something you like and go with it. Then enjoy the rest of your life. :thumbsup:

    Lock it up boys. :locked:
     
    luchin likes this.
  10. Oct 18, 2015 at 8:10 AM
    #30
    Phoenix autoworks

    Phoenix autoworks Stock but fun!!!

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2015
    Member:
    #166125
    Messages:
    440
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Josh
    North Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    95.5 Tacoma 4x4 3.4 manual
    Stock but I use it anyway!!!
  11. Oct 18, 2015 at 8:36 AM
    #31
    savedone

    savedone Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2013
    Member:
    #104359
    Messages:
    1,062
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gerald
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    TRD off-road 6speed manual
    3 inch lift by dealer at purchase
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2015
  12. Oct 18, 2015 at 8:58 AM
    #32
    bigfoote13

    bigfoote13 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2015
    Member:
    #161099
    Messages:
    5,383
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joe
    South Florida
    Vehicle:
    15 TRD SPORT
    2016 Sport suspension 1/2 spacer up front and aal in rear SCS Stealth 6 17 inch wheels Wildpeak AT3 265 70 17
    Mobil One instant 10 off at costco.12 off online rebate 2 per house hold. Going to get some today!
     
    Plain Jane Taco and 6xchamps like this.
  13. Oct 18, 2015 at 9:37 AM
    #33
    6xchamps

    6xchamps Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Member:
    #143514
    Messages:
    397
    Gender:
    Male
    Fuquay Varina NC
    Vehicle:
    2015 AC
    Better make sure Costco is on the approved list of vendors for this one, they change all the time.
    Do you need to buy the filter for 12 bucks off?
     
  14. Oct 18, 2015 at 9:40 AM
    #34
    bigfoote13

    bigfoote13 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2015
    Member:
    #161099
    Messages:
    5,383
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joe
    South Florida
    Vehicle:
    15 TRD SPORT
    2016 Sport suspension 1/2 spacer up front and aal in rear SCS Stealth 6 17 inch wheels Wildpeak AT3 265 70 17
    I already sent two receipts for my bosses truck. I think it's 15 off with the filter.
     
    6xchamps[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Oct 18, 2015 at 10:26 AM
    #35
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2014
    Member:
    #140097
    Messages:
    24,813
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Billy
    Largo Florida
    Vehicle:
    '13 5 lug AC w/convenience package
    A few OE parts from fancy trucks
    in the 2.7, 0-20 syn.
     
  16. Oct 18, 2015 at 10:37 AM
    #36
    BlueMile

    BlueMile Frozen north specialist

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2014
    Member:
    #138379
    Messages:
    191
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Patrick
    North/Central Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2009 TRD Sport
    ATV trail dents, many, many lights, 4-6 beer cans.
    Synthetic oils do not form the same waxy top layer conventional oils do in severe cold conditions, they also maintain a more consistent viscosity to spec once the mercury drops, leading to less effort expended and lower startup wear.

    If you live somewhere it regularly gets properly chilly in the winter, switching to a synthetic or even a hybrid oil is a good idea if only for easier cold starts.
     
  17. Oct 18, 2015 at 10:53 AM
    #37
    Martimus

    Martimus Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    Member:
    #130769
    Messages:
    269
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Martin
    'neath a cactus
    Vehicle:
    2012 PreRunner SR5
    If I were to believe the service writer at my local Toyota dealership, Toyota recommends synthetic oil in their 2.7l engines but fossil oil in their 4.0l engine.

    Personally I put M1 in my Mustang but have yet to transition from fossil oil in my Tacoma. No science behind my choices, just no desire to change at this point in time...
     
  18. Oct 18, 2015 at 11:05 AM
    #38
    Sterdog

    Sterdog Offline

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2013
    Member:
    #113290
    Messages:
    18,435
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    I am Groot
    People's Democratic Republic of Canuckistan
    Vehicle:
    15 FoST
    The biggest deal about synthetic is it's cold start properties, particularly below freezing. If you live where it's cold synthetic is a no brainer.

    I use Pennzoil Platinum because it, and the rest of the Pennzoil synthetic line, are derived from Natural Gas and hence are a true synthetic. Not a true synthetic according to the US court Castrol BS, but an oil that isn't from refined crude base stock. It shows SLIGHTLY better in OCI testing from blackstone. I think @chris4x4 even did a test or two and saw some, thought not life changing, differences with Pennzoil on his tests that looked good.

    Personally I avoid Amsoil because without becoming a part of all of their programming or living next to a wholesale warehouse there is no way to buy there oil for anything remotely close to what others are selling synthetics for. Yes, if you buy at the right time from the right source after signing up for the right discounting you might find Amsoil for a price within 25% of the other major brands, but that's about as good as it gets from them.

    At the end of the day, pick a good OCI either via the owners manual when on warranty or testing after warranty, and you won't regret your decision no matter which synthetic oil you purchase.
     
  19. Oct 18, 2015 at 11:28 AM
    #39
    Sterdog

    Sterdog Offline

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2013
    Member:
    #113290
    Messages:
    18,435
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    I am Groot
    People's Democratic Republic of Canuckistan
    Vehicle:
    15 FoST
    Synthetic, by API definition, is cracked base oil and chemically created oil.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_oil

    It's confusing and mostly legal hub bub. All motor oil either comes from crude base or natural gas. Crude is chemically cracked, sorted, and reacted to come up with a "synthetic" product. Natural gas by products can be sorted and reacted, without cracking, to produce a similar product. That's why I say not to invest too much time into it. To be truthful, I wouldn't put anything into it except it seems like on bobistheoilguy forums that ever since Pennzoil went to the "pure natural gas synthetic" oil they test better on blackstone testing for OCI length and a few other things.
     
  20. Oct 18, 2015 at 11:31 AM
    #40
    Sterdog

    Sterdog Offline

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2013
    Member:
    #113290
    Messages:
    18,435
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    I am Groot
    People's Democratic Republic of Canuckistan
    Vehicle:
    15 FoST
    Okay, I added a bit more for clarification, but I've done a lot of looking into this to try and figure out the truth lol. In the end, all you need to see is the blackstone reports most people are talking about. As I also said, @chris4x4 also did some testing with Pennzoil as well that looked promising.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top