I have a 2008 Camry v6 with just short of 100k miles on it. I was running conventional oil when I got it at 45k and the last 6 changes have been with valvoline maxlife synthetic blend. My oil comes out looking pretty good after 5k miles and the engine is still running smoothly. I just want this engine to last as long as possible, should I go full synthetic or just stick with the maxlife blend? Any brands you would recommend? Are they all pretty much the same or is it worth it to pay extra for a premium brand like Mobil 1 or something?
IIABDFI
Try to avoid the internet lure of playing with your machine when it's working just fine.
MaxLife is every bit as good as any "premium" brand.
"Looks" is no measure of sustained chemical properties....but if the oil level is not dropping on the dipstick between oil changes, and your car's not blowing smoke, and you don't hear nasty rattling, let well enough alone.
Enjoy your Toy.
How the hell do you even check the oil level on a V6 camry? The dipstick is impossible to read, it always has oil all over it, I don't think it's dropping though, no signs of leaking or burning.I agree though it's probably fine since my engine sounds the same and performs the same as it did with 40k miles on it. It seems virtually indestructible, the only part I've had fail is the alternator and battery, and the only maintenance I've done is what is listed in Toyota's maintenance manual.
There is no reason to us high mileage oils in a Toyota that has been properly maintained. I have an 09V6 and at 40,000 miles I switched from Pennzoil conventional every 5,000 miles to Mobil 1 synthetic 5W30 every 7,500 for convenience. I have my car maintained at the dealer and their price on Mobil 1 can't be beat.
The reason your oil still looks clean when it's time to change it is that the 2GR-FE V6 engine produces very few "blowby" gasses to contaminate the oil and make it "dark." I have 99,000 miles on the clock and it takes about 3,000 miles after an oil change before it has enough color to it to read on the dipstick. Oil consumption is "zero." My 1997 Avalon 3.0 liter V6 that I sold to a friend at 88,000 miles now has 250,000+ miles on it and it's still running strong on conventional oil every 5,000 miles.
One other thing, since you bought it used, make certain the oil line recall has been performed.
I agree with everything offered previously on this thread. However, I am not opposed to using a high mileage in my four cylinder '08 Camry. There is much more blow-by in this engine, and if you do not replace the valves from stock, it is acceptable to burn .5qt/3000 miles according to Toyota. I made some changes and we did the aluminum timing certs and I don't blow-by nearly as much now. It doesn't help with this issue, but I do find the detergents and synthetic does way better as far as residual volume, end coloration, and metal or debris accumulation.
To actually answer your question, fill out the warranty info for 5w30 Valvoline High Mileage, do it right, do it every time and it's just as good as Mobil 1, and you might actually be under warranty for certain types of specific engine damage. To each their own. I do believe in synthetic over conventional, but mainly I believe in routine maintenance and it won't matter in the long run either way. :my2cents:
What you were doing seem to be working fine. But for several dollars more per 5 qt jug, I'd get Mobil-1 or Pennzoil Platinum (either HM or reg). Get them at Walmart.
What's the oil consumption rate? You can start with regular and if it's consuming then move to HM.
If you been using that oil, I'd say just keep using it. Your engine is probably better than 3/4 of all engines out there - it at least gets oil changes!
For me I've been using M1 HM oil in all my cars. The only car I can say that I've had the longest history with is my 04 V6. No oil consumption that I can tell and still going great.
Firstly, I agree with what everyone has said here.
Personally, I've had regular (key word: regular) oil changes since owning the vehicle brand new in 04. I just hit 185,000 miles two weekends ago and have never touched synthetic oil...
Been using Mobil 1 Synthetic Extended Performance since about 80K (do oil changes at 10K). Used Valvoline Max once and when I compared oil analysis of the two, the Mobil had more [helpful] additives remaining than the Valvoline, and a higher TBN value, indicating the Mobil sample had more miles left in it than the Valvoline.
I had a 1996 T100 truck and used Valvoline synthetic it's whole life. I changed to their synthetic max life at about 15-16 years old. Throughout it's life it never used oil between oil changes.
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