Oil Changing Opinions

[Jaheff]

I had a 03 Dodge truck with a Hemi in it, threw some synthetic blend, and changed it at 7500-8000 miles.

Now I have a 09Toyota Tacoma and have been changing conventional oil every 3000.

Should I change to synthetic or synthetic blend, and go longer on the Toyota?

Stay with conventional and go 5000 miles?

Just looking for opinions...

[slonezp]

Toyota recommends every 5000.

My opinion, the more miles between changes=more dirt in the engine, synthetic or not. I don't believe conventional oil will break down in a properly maintained engine, and have put 150,000+ miles on a few vehicles without any mechanical failure, using it.

[OHIO]

Do you know what the truck came factory with?

If it was conventional, stay with conventional and change it every 3000 miles.

Sometimes conventional oil will build up around worn out seals or gaskets that would cause oil leaks otherwise.

When you switch to synthetic, it gets rid of the build up and now you have an oil leak.

This all depends on how many miles are on the truck and what type of condition it's in.

[SirSnookalot]

Every car I've owned over the last 10 years or so recommends 5000-7500 miles, I go about every 5000. With normal wear and tear you should not have any problems. When cars have problems it's usually for 2 basic reasons, not properly maintained or they are abused. Cars are better today than ever before, stronger, safer, and with better mileage. Years ago the norm was a tuneup every 10k or so, I haven't tuned up a car in 20 years or more, no need.

In 1970 8-10 mpg was common, inflation adjusted it costs less to drive a mile today than it did 40 years ago.

[.ghoti.]

The last 7 or 8 vehicles I've had were bought new and traded in at 150K+ miles. Takes me about 4 years to get one to that point. Never had an engine failure using regular oil changes at 3000 mile intervals.

[flippin and pitchin]

It's all about miles. I changed to sythetic because I had 75K, do alot of short runs and cold starts. My region in low dust/dirt. I picked up 2 MPG as a bonus. Apply that any way you can.

[Al Wolbach]

I run synthetic lubricants in everything I own period, including small engines, 2 and 4 cycle. I just feel there is nothing in synthetic that you don't want in it. I may be wasting money but it gives me piece of mind..............Al

[tipptruck1]

Most oil comapanys any more are going away with the every 3k change. They say you can get about 5-6k out of a oil change any more. You have to weight cost vs change's. Yea you might get 10k out of synthetic oil. But at twice the price. Lets say you drive 50,000 miles a year. That is at 5 oil changes at about 150 dollars plus. Minus the the shop labor if you do it your self. With some one doing it at 150 a pop it adds up.

Now normal oil is usually half the price. I think my local shops charge about 40-75 dollars a change. I can change my oil for less 30 dollars. Even with synthetic I can do it for less then 50. That is using royal purple and a fram filter.

There are both pros and cons to both oils. Like I said cost is one. Brand new motors in cars need to use normal oil for a few oil changes. The reason is just what Ohio said about seals and what not. With synthetic parts move more free and cause less friction. That equals better mpgs. Once you go synthetic you can go back. You can also run lighter synthetic oil then normal oil. Synthetic oil is also good for winter. The down fall of it. If you have a super charger or turbo car save your money. Normal oil is better since you would still have to change it every 5k. You just have to read this stuff online. MY knowledge comes from real world experience and friends.

[tholmes]

A lot depends on how you drive. Low speed, stop-n-go driving is much harder on your oil than turnpike cruisin'

Most of my driving is in town where I rarely exceed 40 mph, so I'm stickin' with an oil change every 3K.

Tom

[Jaheff]

Most oil comapanys any more are going away with the every 3k change. They say you can get about 5-6k out of a oil change any more. You have to weight cost vs change's. Yea you might get 10k out of synthetic oil. But at twice the price. Lets say you drive 50,000 miles a year. That is at 5 oil changes at about 150 dollars plus. Minus the the shop labor if you do it your self. With some one doing it at 150 a pop it adds up.

Now normal oil is usually half the price. I think my local shops charge about 40-75 dollars a change. I can change my oil for less 30 dollars. Even with synthetic I can do it for less then 50. That is using royal purple and a fram filter.

There are both pros and cons to both oils. Like I said cost is one. Brand new motors in cars need to use normal oil for a few oil changes. The reason is just what Ohio said about seals and what not. With synthetic parts move more free and cause less friction. That equals better mpgs. Once you go synthetic you can go back. You can also run lighter synthetic oil then normal oil. Synthetic oil is also good for winter. The down fall of it. If you have a super charger or turbo car save your money. Normal oil is better since you would still have to change it every 5k. You just have to read this stuff online. MY knowledge comes from real world experience and friends.

Thanks Tipptruck1-These are the answer's i was looking for.

Still would only cost me a little over 30 bucks for a full synthetic oil change doing it myself.

Walmart had mobile1 for 26 bucks (5 guarts), and a fram filter only costs 5 or 6 bucks.

[Bassn Blvd]

I average 25-30k miles a year of in-town driving and get a new truck every three years. Oil is changed every 6k miles and have never had engine problems. Trucks are both Ford and Chevy with v/8's.

[NorcalBassin]

Just stick to what your maintenance schedule recommends. As far as conventional v synthetic... you should stick with one or the other from the get go. I'm personally more concerned with transmission fluid than oil with "used" vehicles because a lot of peolpe get the oil changed regularly but never touch the transmission. Enjoy that Toyota... it should last another decade or two before needing any major repairs.