07 Camry / conventional oil or syn blend?

[JAG66]

I know it's probably a dupe question on here, but should I stay with Mobile 1 Synthetic blend 5W-30 or can I now switch to Castrol conventional oil. My Camry has 12K miles, I change oil every 4K, and the dealer has always used the synthetic blend. Opinions?

[Joe B]

Synthetic blends are 12-18% synthetic.
Don't waste your money.
Either go with dino oil or full synthetic or do your own blend with same company and same weight.

I go with Amsoil.
My engine seem quieter on idle than when I used Mobil 1.

[marc780]

In all of my cars, i have gone back and forth from Mobil 1 many times, and there's no ill effect. Mobil 1 is completely compatible with conventional oils (thank the US military for that - every engine oil they buy must be compatible with every other). Sometimes i even make my own "blend" meaning i run one qt of mobil 1 and the rest conventional (and it runs just a little better).
On my 2002 V6, i am running 100% dino this change, and there is a clatter on start up for a few seconds that is not there when i add 1 qt of mobil 1 at the oil change.

[TRD VVTi]

I didn't know that Castrol met Toyota's specs.

Many dealers used to use Castrol but are now using semi synthetic.

I use full synthetics in all my vehicles. Mobil 1 is the best oil as far as I'm concerned.

Here's a pic of my Formula motor with about 221,000 Mobil 1 miles on it:



That's enough proof for me. I currently have 241,000 original miles on that car and it gets run VERY hard. Note that the rockers are the only parts in the long block that aren't original.

[tymekeeper]

I changed to Mobil 1 full synthetic 0W20 at 2200 miles. I just went on a 4300 freeway mile trip and it only used about 1/8 of an inch on the dip stick. Also I only put in 4 quarts even with the filter change. It was about 1/8 inch below full so I think the manual is wrong saying 4 and 1/2 qts with filter.

[touringcamry]

All name brand oils are more or less going to be the same if you only run it for 4000 miles. Synthetic, conventional, or a blend is only going to make a marginal difference unless you are driving in very severe conditions like for a delivery vehicle where you are turning the engine off every 1/4 mile and the engine doesn't get much opportunity to warm up. Synthetic will help in this situation.

Personally, I use whatever happens to be on sale that week. Right now I'm running Castrol Syntec Blend because it was on sale and the same price as conventional oil.

Also ensure that you are using good filters. Avoid Fram oil filters, especially those orange can ones. The one and only time I used one was the time I had paper bits coming out off the drain pan. Personally, I use Purolator or Wix (also rebranded and sold as Carquest and Napa Gold) filters.

The only real way to tell how far you can go between oil changes is by doing an used oil analysis with TBN. You cannot judge the performance of an oil by its color alone.

[germandebbie]

In the last 9 years, I've used Mobil 1 syntheic exclusively. Originally it was because I was
getting free Mobil 1 0W-40 for 36 months, as a result of a Mercedes "good will" gesture for
owners who had trouble with their V6 engines.(short of a class-action settlement)

Later on, I just got used to it and kept on using it in my Mercedes, Lexus, Lincoln,
and Nissan... ano now my new Camry. (heck, I even use it in my John Deer riding
lawn tractor)

What kind of oil does Toyota fill the new Camrys with in Kentucky? (not used cooking oil
from KFC, I hope)

At my first free oil change, I plan to bring my own Mobil 1 anyway....

[pillpusher84]

I don't really see the need to purchase overpriced Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil. I have always used Castrol GTX in my 98 ES300. I change my oil religiously at ever 3k, and when everyone got this letter from Toyota about Oil Gelling issues ... I brought my car into the shop, and check out my cylinders with the boroscope .... clean as a whistle ... no gunk or buildup! I now have 123k to date!!! I have used Castrol GTX in the camry since we've got it, and I don't plan on changing!