Synthetic Oil - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

gideon1331 · 01-27-2012, 10:32 PM

I currently drive roughly 150 miles per day for work, and am looking to minimize oil changes without killing my car. I have an '05 with 122k miles on her right now. With full synthetic I've been going ~7,500 miles without issue. This engine burns NO oil...dipstick level is identical after a change and after 7,500 miles.

Is there oil I can go for a longer distance on? I don't care if it's more expensive/mile...if I don't have to change it as often it's worth every penny to me. My mileage is mostly highway, but there's a good amount of traffic in with it too.

invader · 01-27-2012, 11:23 PM

There are synthetic oils that are said to be good for extended change intervals, such as Amsoil ASL 5W-30 which generally have a higher TBN (Total base number):
• Normal Service– Up to 25,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.
• Severe Service – Up to 15,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/asl.aspx

Mobil 1 Extended Performance: http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...rformance.aspx

"AMSOIL Ea® Full-Flow Oil Filters are designed for extended change intervals. They stop smaller particles, flow more oil and last longer than regular filters. For best performance, use AMSOIL Ea Full-Flow Oil Filters."

They're a bit overpriced though. Purolator PureONE oil filters are of excellent quality.

Then there's Amsoil's by-pass oil filtering system which virtually eliminates the need for oil changes:

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/bf.aspx

At 7500 miles, you're already at 50% over recommended, and with a good amount of 'severe' traffic conditions. Use the larger 3614 size oil filter (Purolator PureONE PL10241) as listed for Toyota V6's like I do, which has more capacity to better handle extended service. The smaller filter will gradually clog up with dirt more quickly than a large one, and may eventually allow the bypass to open thus releasing trapped dirt back in the engine.
I keep it at 5000 mile oil changes with my substantially severe service, and certainly wouldn't consider going past 7500 miles... I actually use a high-flow reusable 30 micron stainless steel mesh System 1 oil filter (# 209-314)

http://www.system1filters.com/oilfilters.htm

hardtopte72 · 01-28-2012, 12:56 AM

In short Mobil 1 extended performance and either a Napa Platinum or Bosch premium oil filter. After that you should probably do a UOA and see how the engine is doing. I am the same way. I use a Purolator Pureone for a Camry and 0W30 mobil 1. Your results may vary. I don't burn a drop at 103k in my rolla and 85k in my 2009 Camry both of which are known to burn oil (to me it has to be from poor maintenance).

A high quality oil filter and air filter will do more for you than the oil itself. The Camry filter is a little bigger than the Corolla. And remember the Corolla can run 5k on Dino oil with the smaller filter.

10k is nothing for a Pureone and good oil. From what I have read the amsoil EA filters don't filter as well which is why they are meant for extended drains. The Bosch Premium seems to be the best filter you can buy for a 10k drain.

MasterTecInSTL · 01-28-2012, 10:02 PM

I ran my '95 Escort for 80,000 miles plus using AMSOil at 15k oil change intervals. Even at close to 15k the old oil would appear to be in better shape than most cars using conventional oil at 5k intervals.

It was still running great (At 162,000 miles) when my dad plowed it into a tree ending its life.

I run conventional 5W30 oil in my G/F's 03 Corolla but she's the type that starts freaking out the second it hits 3,001 miles (drives her crazy that I won't change it until 5,000 miles!) but at those frequent oil change intervals I don't feel there is enough to be gained to pay extra for synthetic.

gideon1331 · 01-29-2012, 12:09 AM

Thanks for the input. I had been running 5k on dino oil before without any issue, and switched to full synthetic with 7.5-8k changes with my most recent job.

The oil was just changed today at 7,600 miles...not a drop burnt...and while obviously used, the oil was only a slightly darker amber color than it was when new.

I'll probably give Amsoil a try with a good filter next time around and send it in for a UOA after a decent amount of mileage.

Either that or I'll give in and move close to work...

MD1032 · 01-29-2012, 09:05 AM

Personally, about every 5-7k I just take my car to Firestone (I drive huge chunks of highway miles, which is easy on the oil anyway) and put normal oil in it. I print coupons off the internet...in combination with other discounts, the price is usually $5-15 for the oil change. It saves me a lot of time, and probably some money when the price is on the lower end, and I don't have to jack the car up and get dirty, or dispose of the old oil (just the gas alone to drive to my recycling center here in NJ and get rid of the old oil probably costs $5). Plus, there are other advantages...stores like Firestone use lifts instead of jacks, and they check your car very carefully for imperfections looking to sell you replacements of this or that. They test all of the fluids with test strips for free, so I never have to buy my own or worry about my fluids. At times, they catch things that I actually do need to take care of that I missed. So, I take my car home, and do it myself. They also let me know when my tires are getting low so I can run to Sam's Club and buy a new set.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for changing your oil at home yourself, but I know these little shops like Firestone offer synthetic oil. There is something to be said for the convenience of having someone else change your oil like this, my opinion.

MasterTecInSTL · 01-29-2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD1032

Personally, about every 5-7k I just take my car to Firestone (I drive huge chunks of highway miles, which is easy on the oil anyway) and put normal oil in it. I print coupons off the internet...in combination with other discounts, the price is usually $5-15 for the oil change. It saves me a lot of time, and probably some money when the price is on the lower end, and I don't have to jack the car up and get dirty, or dispose of the old oil (just the gas alone to drive to my recycling center here in NJ and get rid of the old oil probably costs $5). Plus, there are other advantages...stores like Firestone use lifts instead of jacks, and they check your car very carefully for imperfections looking to sell you replacements of this or that. They test all of the fluids with test strips for free, so I never have to buy my own or worry about my fluids. At times, they catch things that I actually do need to take care of that I missed. So, I take my car home, and do it myself. They also let me know when my tires are getting low so I can run to Sam's Club and buy a new set.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for changing your oil at home yourself, but I know these little shops like Firestone offer synthetic oil. There is something to be said for the convenience of having someone else change your oil like this, my opinion.

I'm sure they LOVE you. They take a loss every time they change your oil and you never buy anything from them! I'm sure you get called names like "cheapskate" by all of the techs the second you drive away!

At least try to throw them a bone every once in a while! Not that I have a lot of respect for Firestone (worked there for almost three years)

MD1032 · 01-29-2012, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterTecInSTL

I'm sure they LOVE you. They take a loss every time they change your oil and you never buy anything from them! I'm sure you get called names like "cheapskate" by all of the techs the second you drive away!

At least try to throw them a bone every once in a while! Not that I have a lot of respect for Firestone (worked there for almost three years)

Don't worry, my whole family goes there and my dad gives them plenty of their usual type of business...anytime they suggest anything to him ("let us replace that CV boot for you for $200", etc) he gets it done. And he usually buys tires from them, so they make a lot of money on that. I still use them for all sorts of obscure things myself...say, brake work, like having rotors turned. Honestly, I like Firestone and I think they charge pretty reasonable rates on some of the stuff they do (and outrageous rates on other things, which I do myself). My point is that having a mechanic who works on cars day in and day out put a second pair of eyes on your car while you get your oil changed can be invaluable. That's why I recommend getting oil changed at a shop, whether it's an Auto Zone, Firestone, Vespia's...what have you.

MasterTecInSTL · 01-29-2012, 07:34 PM

OK that's cool to know. Just like all shops some are good and some are bad. It's just insulting to some good shops to have customers who never want to spend any money.

gideon1331 · 01-29-2012, 09:20 PM

I do have the oil changes done...I'm perfectly capable of doing it myself...I'm just lazy and can more than afford to pay someone to do it for me, so I do.

They normally offer extras...like fluid flushes, belt changes, etc. In most cases, the place I go to doesn't offer it unless it's justifiably needed, but there is always something mentioned. I have to give them credit for not being pushy when customers don't seem interested, and especially for suggesting services that they don't offer. The only time I've seen them be pushy was with a girl's air filter which literally had holes in it...she said no and I stepped in and said 'you need that replaced NOW.'

I'd never have them do the transmission (I had the dealer do it due to horror stories with not using the Toyota fluid), but my power steering fluid is original, so I'll probably throw them a bone and have them flush it sometime this year. I'll probably be due for a serpentine belt too...again...perfectly capable of doing it myself...I just don't want to be bothered.