Car accessories question

[LostSouthernStar]

Hello,


I know my 2001 Toyota Camry manual says to use 5w-30 oil, but I was wondering if I could use synthetic oil for fuel economy purposes???


Also, which brand of engine oil is best? I am currently using Castrol GTX 5w-30 and Purolator oil filter.



How about K&N air filter or just a normal air filter?




Finally, which brand of car cleaning products are available that WON'T strip the oils and moisture from my interior? I have heard Meguiar's and Mother's are great but am unsure...please help.




Thanks!

[hill8570]

You can certainly use synthetic oil as long as you stay with the same weight. Doubt you'll see any improvement in fuel economy, 'tho.

"Best" oil is kind of a religious question. Castrol GTX is certainly one of the better dino oils out there. Personally, I buy whatever pure synthetic is on sale when I'm ready to change my oil. I generally just use Toyota oil filters, but Purolator, Wix, Napa Gold, etc. are all also perfectly OK.

I'm not a fan of the K&N filters -- I've seen too much evidence (elevated silicon in oil analysis) that the K&Ns let too much dirt by. That was a few years back, so maybe they've improved.

[LostSouthernStar]

Thank you so much!


Which air filters would you reccomend? How much do the Toyota filters cost?




I have seen that Castrol sells synthetic oil...I'm guessing full synthetic is better then semi-synthetic.

Originally Posted by hill8570

You can certainly use synthetic oil as long as you stay with the same weight. Doubt you'll see any improvement in fuel economy, 'tho.

"Best" oil is kind of a religious question. Castrol GTX is certainly one of the better dino oils out there. Personally, I buy whatever pure synthetic is on sale when I'm ready to change my oil. I generally just use Toyota oil filters, but Purolator, Wix, Napa Gold, etc. are all also perfectly OK.

I'm not a fan of the K&N filters -- I've seen too much evidence (elevated silicon in oil analysis) that the K&Ns let too much dirt by. That was a few years back, so maybe they've improved.

[Pvt-Public]

I never realized oil and filters were accessories.

[LostSouthernStar]

I didn't want to clog the forums more then I already have so I just threw all my questions into one thread.

Originally Posted by Pvt-Public

I never realized oil and filters were accessories.

[Brit101]

Originally Posted by hill8570

You can certainly use synthetic oil as long as you stay with the same weight. Doubt you'll see any improvement in fuel economy, 'tho.

According to www.gassavers.org

158. Synthetic engine oils
Always use synthetic engine oil. Good oil improves fuel economy by reducing friction.

172. Use good quality engine oil
Use good quality engine oil, preferably synthetic or standard oil treated with a friction reducing oil additive. These have been known to improve fuel economy by as much as 12%.

Mobil 1 has a huge following LSS, however I use the house brand, that is "supposedly" Mobil 1, of a large Canadian retailer. On special 5 liter jug for $25.(Canadian Tire Formula 1, the gold jug)

[PhatRoyale]

All your choices are fine. I like K&N air filters although there are some that don't. It's all personal preference really.

It's never too late to switch to synthetic, but there are reasonable points to do so at beyond which it becomes unfeasible in terms of large additional cost for little gain in reducing additional engine wear.

[LostSouthernStar]

Thanks guys, but now I'm even more confused as what to buy now......ugh.

[Zembonez]

Just buy what you like. Any good name brand will be fine. I personally like running synthetics but I doubt you will see any real increase in fuel economy.

I use Amsoil in everything but Mobil1 and Valvoline make a decent synthetic and you can catch them on sale many places. What you are currently using is also good quality oil. I like using OEM filters picked up at the parts counter... but that's just me.

[LostSouthernStar]

Ok, I'll just keep researching.

[Zembonez]

You are on the right track.