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"TW" <tw@aol.com> wrote in message news:5U5Vg.6828$vC3.5608@dukeread02...[color=blue]
>I have a new '06 Rav4 nearing an oil change. I've used Synthetic in my
>other 2 cars since they were new, but Toyota recommends one NOT use
>Synthetic oil.
>
> Is it because (a) they want to support the local Toyota dealership garages
> and simply recommend one NOT use it so we take our vehicle to their garage
> and use their crappy oil OR (b) is there a real mechanical reason they
> recommend against using synthetic oil? The mechanics at the garage have a
> gag order and won't discuss it.
>
> Thanks!
> TW[/color]

TW,

I've heard anecdotal evidence and seen pictures of torn down engines that
indicate synthetic oils used in the first few thousand miles will keep the
piston rings from seating into the cylinder walls properly.

Modern dino juice is pretty darned good and as long as you use something
rated for your engine and change it regularly, the difference between
ordinary oil and synthetic oil is probably moot. For a number of reasons
it's ill advised to use synthetic then try to save money by extending the
time between oil changes beyond the recommended intervals.

That said, I ran ordinary oil in my 95 Tacoma for the first 10K, then
switched to Mobil 1. I now have around 180K miles and the compression is
near new specifications. I've also paid 3 to 4 times what I'd have paid for
dino juice at each oil change. Would I have gotten the same mileage on dino
juice? I really don't know. Again, this is anecdotal evidence only with no
recognized statistical validity.

I might add that I'm now using Mobil 1 in my 87 Corolla with 135K miles,
purchased second hand last Spring. I'm not enjoying the hallucination that
it will do anything magical for that engine, which unlike the Tacoma burns
about a quart every two weeks. I just happen to have it around. For those
naysayers who think that you shouldn't switch to synthetic on an old engine,
it's been working fine with no leaks.
--
Mike Harris
Austin TX