Oil Change Question on my 2003 XLS

[Budabear]

Hey Guys,

I purchaesd a 2003 XLS a few months ago which will soon be hitting 100K. During my first oil change I had my service people change the oil to semi-synthetic castrol. I normally changed the regular oil at every 3000 miles but now that I've changed to the semi they still are trying to bring me in at the same 3000 miles.

Is this correct or should I be able to get more then 3000 between oil changes? I would also like to know if, at 100K, is to late to start using a full synthetic oil like Mobil 1.


Thanks in Advance for any advise.

[ToyFreak]

My comments here are ONLY my opinion, and people will ALWAYS disagree, and that's O.K.

I believe changing the oil EVERY 3000 miles is overkill.
Click on the link for more info:
http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm#Th...%20Mile%20Myth


I've ALWAYS heard synthetics eventually dry up the engine seals, resulting in oil leaks, and dried up engine seals.

I've also heard if you're going to use synthetics, start EARLY in the life/mileage of the engine.
High mileage engines may have problems with synyhetics.

I personally use non/synthetic oil, and change the oil every 4000 miles, so I have no real experience with synthetics.


The owners manual says 5000, and the 3000 mile theory leads me to go with every 4000 miles.

Hope this helps.

[Budabear]

Thanks for your reply. Your link was extremely informative.

I also am tending to lean towards doing the oil changes at 4000K.

[ToyFreak]

Originally Posted by Budabear

Thanks for your reply. Your link was extremely informative.

I also am tending to lean towards doing the oil changes at 4000K.

You're welcome.

[Mike Murrell]

I agree with ToyFreak, not because I have personal knowledge of synthetics, but becuase of info posted by someone who does on a Mercedes forum I belong to.

This fellow has done engineering contract work for the Big 3 U. S. auto makers and been involved in engine research for NASCAR.


According to him:

- oil companies make more profit off of synthetic, hence the push.
- you can use any brand of oil if it's specs line up with the requirements outlined in your owners manual.

What I can say is I have taken one '83 Toyota PU past 400K and an '87 Accord past 300K using conventional oil and filters.

How much more life would I get out of synthetic?

I've yet to find language in any of my current Toyota owners manuals('04 Tacoma & '06 Avalon) that indicate I need synthetic.

[Budabear]

Thanks!

[TRD VVTi]

I have used synthetics in vehicles starting at about 6,000 miles and up to nearly 200,000 miles and it never created a problem.

I have driven many vehicles past 200,000 miles using synthetic oil and have never had a problem with oil leaks or seals "drying up". The rear main seal on my '95 Formula is original and the car has over 242,000 miles on it using Mobil 1 with 3,000 mile service intervals. I use Mobil 1 in my '06 Camry with 5,000 mile service intervals.

My Parents have an '05 Highlander that they use Mobil 1 in (started synthetic at 5,000 miles I believe) and a '97 Oldsmobile they started using Mobil 1 in at about 104,000 miles. Now it has about 125,000 miles on it. Neither vehicle has any problems either. The Olds leaked oil before the synthetic and still does now. It doesn't leak enough to go down on the stick.

If it's not a financial burden, I would (and do) use synthetic oil. It is more stable, and does offer better protection. You may not need the extra protection, but it's good to have.

Here's a pic of the engine on my '95 Formula left cylinder head. At this time the engine had 221,000 miles on it. I've never seen a conventional oil keep the inside of an engine this clean. NEVER. I've seen thousands of engines that have used conventional oil look terrible with half the miles on them.

[Mike Murrell]

I'm pretty much in agreement with TRD VVVti regarding the "dry seal" thing. It make no sense to me that a lubricant would dry out a material it comes in contact with.

There have been postings on the web that suggest that synthetic oil can cause additonal consumption in an engine with a few miles on it that has been switched from conventional to synthetic. That's another issue and one I've personally experienced.

Use what you like, but be sure the specs line up with what's in your owners manual.

[Budabear]

Thanks TRD,

More great info! The photo of your 200+K engine is very impressive.

Do you know of the difference between the semi-synthetic and the synthetic? I started using semi in my Saab Turbo from a recomendation and carried it through to my avalon. As I mentioned in my first post my avalon will have 100K within a few months and I have no clue what was used before. My gues would be regular oil. Also, what do you thing about stretching semi-synthetics to 4000 & 5000 miles intervals?

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by Budabear

Thanks TRD,

More great info! The photo of your 200+K engine is very impressive.

Do you know of the difference between the semi-synthetic and the synthetic? I started using semi in my Saab Turbo from a recomendation and carried it through to my avalon. As I mentioned in my first post my avalon will have 100K within a few months and I have no clue what was used before. My gues would be regular oil. Also, what do you thing about stretching semi-synthetics to 4000 & 5000 miles intervals?

I personally think that semi synthetic oils are a waste of money. You could do better by using conventional oil and adding your own synthetic oil to it.

You can stretch semi-synthetics to the 5,000 mile interval that's recommended by the factory as long as the oil meets Toyota's specs.

To me, using synthetic and changing every 5,000 miles is cheap enough, and I know that everything will be just fine.

[ChiTDI]

I'd go with a synthetic in a heartbeat with that vehicle. I have an '02 and have never regretted making the switch. (At 10k). I'd also go to 5k OCI with a good synthetic or even a good semi synth as well. The Mobil 1 / Toyota match seems to be a good one. I personally use Schaeffer's, but have seen many 100 to 200 thousand engines with M1, Pennz, Castrol, etc. Keep the oil clean, keep the PCV system clean, and you can get a lot of happy miles. Enjoy.

[Budabear]

My only hesitation has been that the car was going on 100K. I always heard that you need to start synthetic oils with low mileage engines. I think I will go ahead and make the change with my next oil change.

THANKS!