Finally Got My Own Tacoma! - What Oil to Use?

[trailrunners]

I just bought a nice used 1999 Tacoma 4x4 - I4, 5 speed manual! Very happy with it so far. 94,000 miles on it, so it's just getting broken in! It's the truck I've always wanted!

It looks as if it has been pretty well cared for, just a couple of dents and dings. I'm wondering what type of oil you all would recommend. I'm considering going the synthetic route with Mobil1. I live in northern Minnesota, so it sees some real cold starts. The sythetic is nice on those cold mornings - the oil is flowing right away. Has anyone had any trouble using sythetic in their older Tacoma? I've heard that sometimes on an older vehicle, the sythetics may leak a bit as they find the little worn areas in the engine. Does anyone foresee any trouble switching to sythetic on a truck that has used regular oil for 90,000+ miles? Any help great appreciated!

[EngineerBoo]

Congrats on your Taco!

My Dad gave me his old Subaru with 65,000 miles and I switched it to Mobile 1 for High Mileage and my MPG went up about 4 mpg! I think it helps with cold starts and doesn't get as dirty as dino oil.

And don't use Fram oil filters....they are the worse of the worse....use OEM or Puralator.

Good luck!

Boo

[crazycruzer]

I use Castrol Syntec (w/ molecular bonding supposedly) and prefer it over Mobil 1, however, haven't tried the NEW Mobile 1 yet. I agree that you should stay away from Fram filters too! By OEM filter from the dealer (usually comes with new washer too).

[87_SR5]

Originally Posted by trailrunners

I just bought a nice used 1999 Tacoma 4x4 - I4, 5 speed manual! Very happy with it so far. 94,000 miles on it, so it's just getting broken in! It's the truck I've always wanted!

It looks as if it has been pretty well cared for, just a couple of dents and dings. I'm wondering what type of oil you all would recommend. I'm considering going the synthetic route with Mobil1. I live in northern Minnesota, so it sees some real cold starts. The sythetic is nice on those cold mornings - the oil is flowing right away. Has anyone had any trouble using sythetic in their older Tacoma? I've heard that sometimes on an older vehicle, the sythetics may leak a bit as they find the little worn areas in the engine. Does anyone foresee any trouble switching to sythetic on a truck that has used regular oil for 90,000+ miles? Any help great appreciated!

There was a recent thread on this subject: regular or synthetic...

Take a look: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t69038.html

It may give you some ideas....I have been kind of thinking the same thing you have, only my truck has 165,000 miles on it...

Hope this helps

[Mavericks House]

I've got a '96 Taco 4wd 5 sp with 139,000 miles on a V6. I just switched over to "Quaker State for High Milage".....Q.S. confirmed this is not a Synthetic or Synthetic Blend but is blended from conventional (non-synthetic) base oils. Maybe I should have stayed with regular oil and saved the cash, or just bit the bullet and went Synthetic.....?

[MountainToy]

I bought the truck a few years ago and being in the Military I have had to put some miles on it. It is still running strong at 150,000. From the day I bought it I have used Quaker State Synthetic 4x4 and couldnt be happier. So my suggestion is go with Quaker State and use one of their synthetics, they work outstandingly well and my truck is still running strong. Just know that once you you start using synthetic then you should never stop. Good Luck on youre choice and congrats on owning one hell of a truck.