oil change

[MyStYlEaRt]

I just purchased a 2002 toyota camry i4 with 78,1XX miles. The car really needs an oil change. I was thinking about putting synthetic blend oil, but read that putting synthetic in a car with past 30,000 miles will cause a leak. Should i just go with regular oil or would synthetic blend do the job?

[touringcamry]

Whoever told you that is full of crap.

[MyStYlEaRt]

so i can switch at 78,1XX miles without any problems?

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by MyStYlEaRt

so i can switch at 78,1XX miles without any problems?

It won't hurt anything at all.

I've switched in several cars that had over 100,000 miles on them without a problem also.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by MyStYlEaRt

so i can switch at 78,1XX miles without any problems?

Yes. A long time ago, synthetic oils did something to the seals and screwed things up. However, that is no longer an issue because the technology and/or formulations have changed and improved so that you can switch back without issues..

[liquidi3ladz]

You can switch. I switched to full syn at 106k miles. No problems

[CharmCityES]

whoever told u that u cant switch to synthetic is full of shit
i highly reccomend the use of mobil 1 5w-30 fully synthetic....best oil out there imo....its all i use in my car
also. be sure and get oem toyota oil filters, type TIV rans fluid and toyota pink 50/50 coolant to keep your camry running at its best

[touringcamry]

Nah, you don't have to use OEM oil filters. Get a good one like Purolator, Wix, or Napa Gold and you're good. Mobil and K&N filters are supposed to be good too, but for the price of one, you could get two or three the previously mentioned filters.

As for auto trans fluid, it is hard to find any substitute at stores. The Toyota brand at the dealer is probably the easiest to find - not to say suitable substitutes don't exist though. Though if you have a manual, you just use 75W-90 gear oil.

As for coolant, Zerex G-05 should work just fine if you can't get Toyota coolant easily.

[MyStYlEaRt]

if i wanted to use full synthetic could i just switch without using synthetic blend first? I real carefull i want that car to last me as long as possible

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by MyStYlEaRt

if i wanted to use full synthetic could i just switch without using synthetic blend first? I real carefull i want that car to last me as long as possible

Yes, you can switch with anything at anytime.

[gadgetjunkie]

I would agree with the other posters to a point. IF the previous owner maintained the car on a regular basis then you shouldn't have a problem. If they did not maintain the car as they should you could see oil pressure drop and possible consumption. This normally corrects itself after a couple changes. You would be fine even with one of the high mileage oils that contain the seal swell agents. My Dad and I have had vehicles that we've run well over 200,000 miles with conventional mineral based oils draining at 3500 miles. Synthetics are great and there is a time and a place for them. If you live in extreme (hot/cold) weather areas or you drive your vehicle longer than the recommended drain intervals or you just drive your vehicle hard, then a synthetic oil would be a good choice. Or in my case, I run a 5W40 full synthetic in our Z71 Suburban due to my wife is the primary driver and she sometimes fails to let me know that it is in need of a change. The conventional oils being made today are made with such high quality base stocks and additives that they will do fine for your new baby if you follow a good drain interval. Most of the newer vis oils are made with Group III base oils and therefore could be considered a synthetic blend. Just my $.02.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by MyStYlEaRt

if i wanted to use full synthetic could i just switch without using synthetic blend first? I real carefull i want that car to last me as long as possible

You could go straight to synthetic at any time. There is no need to use synthetic blend first. That's an urban legend of sorts.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by gadgetjunkie

I would agree with the other posters to a point. IF the previous owner maintained the car on a regular basis then you shouldn't have a problem. If they did not maintain the car as they should you could see oil pressure drop and possible consumption. This normally corrects itself after a couple changes. You would be fine even with one of the high mileage oils that contain the seal swell agents. My Dad and I have had vehicles that we've run well over 200,000 miles with conventional mineral based oils draining at 3500 miles. Synthetics are great and there is a time and a place for them. If you live in extreme (hot/cold) weather areas or you drive your vehicle longer than the recommended drain intervals or you just drive your vehicle hard, then a synthetic oil would be a good choice. Or in my case, I run a 5W40 full synthetic in our Z71 Suburban due to my wife is the primary driver and she sometimes fails to let me know that it is in need of a change. The conventional oils being made today are made with such high quality base stocks and additives that they will do fine for your new baby if you follow a good drain interval. Most of the newer vis oils are made with Group III base oils and therefore could be considered a synthetic blend. Just my $.02.

Some are still group II. In some cases the same brand 5W-30 is group III and 10W-30 is group II. I don't remember the reasoning behind it, probably something to do with how the oil works and cost.

Since the OP is in FL, he could use 10W-30 year round since he wouldn't really benefit from the lower temperature applications of 5W-30. However, since 5W-30 is sometimes made with better stock, 5W-30 is probably the better choice in conventional oil applications.

Oh, and another urban legend is that when you go synthetic, you need to use a higher weight than when using regular oil. You can use the same weight as regular oil.

[etc]

I have similar miles, use Mobil 1 5w20 with no issues.
Purolator Pure 1 filter.

[TRD VVTi]

5W30 is recommended for the Gen 5 Camry.