5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I change the oil in our 2007 Toyota Camry LE. I always put full synthetic oil back in the car. I have been getting increased fuel mileage along with better performance using synthetic oils.
Anyway, I go to Advance Auto or wherever and buy the "oil deal" that they are having that day. Always use name brand oils, never house brand. I have now built a collection of oils that I have not used. Being that our Camry is a 4 cylinder, it only requires a little over 4 containers of oil, the specials are usually for 5 containers. Its that time to change oil again and I have 1 complete and one 3/4 containers of Penzoil Platinum 5w-20 and almost 1 complete and one 1/2 container of Castrol Edge 5w-20. Both are synthetic.
Is it possible to mix these oils together and it not harm the engine and still provide the same performance? I realize I will have to purchase another container of oil to make out the difference, but this would help me get some of these containers our of my storage room and be cheaper than the $30 for a "oil deal".
I have read good and bad things but can't tell if they are myths or truth. We usually drive our car about 5,000 miles between oil changes.
as long as they are both synthetics, as long as they are both the same viscosity, you are ok.
you can even add "regular" oil if you need a quart in a hurry, and do not have any synthetic available.
if you have a lawn mower, or snow blower and you change the oils in those, you can use synthetics as well. i always run full synthetic oils in my yard equipment.
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the whole "can't mix synthetic with regular" thing is hogwash. --apples to oranges kinda but my brother's 07 sti didn't burn as much regular oil as it did mobil 1 synthetic. he just used castrol gtx 5w-30 and it would only need 1/2 quart in 3k instead of a full quart of mobil 1...
I've tried valvoline synthetic instead of mobil 1 and saw no difference in my camry, just tried it because it was $3 cheaper a gallon
thanks. I am going to go out and buy another conatiner of oil along with the filter and do a change, even if its only for 3000 miles. Essentially, I figured it would not make a huge difference since i rotate brands of oil anyway when i do oil changes due to whatever is on sale. SO everyone beleives it is ok to mix like 50/50 on brands of oil as long as viscosity and type of oil is the same?
COMPATIBILITY
AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil is compatible with other conventional and synthetic motor oils. Mixing AMSOIL motor oils with other oils, however, will shorten the oil’s life expectancy and reduce the performance benefits. AMSOIL does not support extended drain intervals where oils have been mixed. Aftermarket oil additives are not recommended for use with AMSOIL synthetic motor oils.
Straight from amsoil's web site. I know your not using amsoil but it shows that it doesn't matter. Oil is oil, no matter if it's synthetic or dino...they both serve the same purpose, one just does it better than the other.
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COMPATIBILITY
AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil is compatible with other conventional and synthetic motor oils. Mixing AMSOIL motor oils with other oils, however, will shorten the oil’s life expectancy and reduce the performance benefits. AMSOIL does not support extended drain intervals where oils have been mixed. Aftermarket oil additives are not recommended for use with AMSOIL synthetic motor oils.
Straight from amsoil's web site. I know your not using amsoil but it shows that it doesn't matter. Oil is oil, no matter if it's synthetic or dino...they both serve the same purpose, one just does it better than the other.
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An oil change interval of 3000 miles is way too soon if you are using synthetic and arguably even 5000 miles unless you are driving under harsh conditions. You are not doing anyone any favors by changing oil out at 3000 miles aside from oil manufacturers and resellers.
You can get an oil analysis done to see the state of the oil and decide whether or not you can go further. You might even be able to go as far as 10000. For 5000 miles, almost any oil will do; even a less expensive oil like Chevron Supreme will work just fine. Blackstone Labs is one of the more common names I see thrown around who perform analysis.
You can mix different brands if you like and you can mix synthetic with conventional. Just keep in mind that a mixed conventional-synthetic formula won't last as long compared to using only synthetic meaning at 5000 miles or so you should change it out.
You can even go back and forth between conventional and synthetic as often as you want. Anyone who tells you otherwise is spreading several decades outdated information.
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2007 Camry 2.4L 5M
Last edited by touringcamry; 10-10-2011 at 02:23 PM.
A buddy of mine has over 140k on his 2.0l WRX and got his Mobil 1 analyzed after 8k miles-- it was still in good shape, they said it could make it to 10k...
fwiw, my car is noticeably different after 4.5k miles per change-- I've taken it to 5500 a few times, mainly all highway miles, but I don't do that regularly. I like an excuse to climb under the car and check things out so normally I change it at 3500-4k
An oil change interval of 3000 miles is way too soon if you are using synthetic and arguably even 5000 miles unless you are driving under harsh conditions. You are not doing anyone any favors by changing oil out at 3000 miles aside from oil manufacturers and resellers.
You can get an oil analysis done to see the state of the oil and decide whether or not you can go further. You might even be able to go as far as 10000. For 5000 miles, almost any oil will do; even a less expensive oil like Chevron Supreme will work just fine. Blackstone Labs is one of the more common names I see thrown around who perform analysis.
You can mix different brands if you like and you can mix synthetic with conventional. Just keep in mind that a mixed conventional-synthetic formula won't last as long compared to using only synthetic meaning at 5000 miles or so you should change it out.
You can even go back and forth between conventional and synthetic as often as you want. Anyone who tells you otherwise is spreading several decades outdated information.
The oil analysis is 25 bucks and an extra 10 if you want to know the TBN of the oil which will really tell you if you need to change it or not....so thats $30 bucks...almost as much as the oil change. If you're gonna do that you might as well change it at 5k and forget about the analysis. I've done a couple of them before on other cars just cause I was curious, but like I said why spend the 30 bucks for them to tell you it's safe to go another 2k miles and then spend another 30 bucks to change the oil a month or two later. Just run a good quality synthetic and change it every 5-7k miles and forget it. Toyota says to change the oil in my "11 every 10k miles, so that's what I'm gonna do. I just ordered some amsoil 0w-20 and an amsoil filter and I'll change it when I hit 10k.
Similar to what Amsoil says, Mobil-1 also says the same thing. Basically you end up closer to the performance of the lesser oil. Of course what's a lesser oil depends.
"Can different synthetic motor oils be mixed together?
Mobil 1 is fully compatible with conventional motor oils, semi-synthetic motor oils and other synthetic motor oils, should it be necessary to mix them. However, it is important to note that the superior performance of Mobil 1 will be reduced by diluting it in any way."
Mismatching oil is actually good for cars my mechanic told me. The car learns the different oil types and weights and adapts. So the computer will be smarter for the future.
Last edited by johnfrisco; 10-10-2011 at 07:01 PM.
^ how many bottle of Omega 3 should I put in to help improve it's memory?
Sorry, I couldn't help myself to throw that in. The computer adjust but it doesn't get "smarter". I was told when the piston rings get worn (like in 10 years), either replace it or put in a bit heavier oil.
Mismatching oil is actually good for cars my mechanic told me. The car learns the different oil types and weights and adapts. So the computer will be smarter for the future.
If your mechanic actually said that, I'd recommend getting a new mechanic.
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An oil change interval of 3000 miles is way too soon if you are using synthetic and arguably even 5000 miles unless you are driving under harsh conditions. You are not doing anyone any favors by changing oil out at 3000 miles aside from oil manufacturers and resellers.
You can get an oil analysis done to see the state of the oil and decide whether or not you can go further. You might even be able to go as far as 10000. For 5000 miles, almost any oil will do; even a less expensive oil like Chevron Supreme will work just fine. Blackstone Labs is one of the more common names I see thrown around who perform analysis.
You can mix different brands if you like and you can mix synthetic with conventional. Just keep in mind that a mixed conventional-synthetic formula won't last as long compared to using only synthetic meaning at 5000 miles or so you should change it out.
You can even go back and forth between conventional and synthetic as often as you want. Anyone who tells you otherwise is spreading several decades outdated information.
Yeah but if you want to keep your warranty change your oil the way the manual says after that u can forget it.....
Last edited by johnfrisco; 10-17-2011 at 07:25 PM.
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