I have a few questions concerning the use of synthetic oil on Corolla XRS. I've found that most people tend to use Mobil-1 Synthetic oil...and since XRS approved oil is 5w30, I presume that this is the best synth for this engine too.
1) Is it true that once you start using synthetic, you ALWAYS have to use synth?
2) At what mileage should you change over from regular oil to synthetic? (or does it really matter?)
FYI I have 24,000km (15,000mi) with three regular oil changes and want my fourth to be with synthetic.
Yeah, different mechanics have different mileages for switching to synthetic. I asked and one dealership mechanic said 8000 KM while the other said 24000 KM since everything is still pretty tight and new up to that mileage and slippery synthetic oil reduces the required metal-to-metal friction for proper break in. I am going to switch to synthetic at 8000 KM since I think it will be well broken in by then.
__________________ SSM 05 Corolla XRS 6 Spd VVTL-i 2ZZ-GE /04 Corolla S 1ZZ-FE (sold)
Thanks for the info guys! Tomorrow my baby get's the good stuff!! I picked up a jug of Mobil-1 (5w30) at Canadian Tire today (on Sale until Apr 1) and will give that to the dealer to use. No point paying out the wazzo for dealer synth oil markup.
I'd like to answer to one question, which is whether it is necessary to stay with synthetic oil once filled with synthetic. The short answer is
NO!
While synthetic oil is sure superior to semi-synth which in turn is better than pure mineral oil, any oils can be mixed together. One noteable exception is the old castor racing oil, which gave us that curious smell at the racetrac, that cannot be mixed with any other kind.
Just remember when you mix, with oils it is like with that famous chain, it's only as strong as the weakest link. And if you mix 5W30 with 10W40, you'll have a 7.5W35, always provided it's the same quantity of course.
It is NOT recommended to switch older cars to synthetic oil, vice versa it may be better to switch an old engine from synth to semi-synth, especially those semi-synths, which are formulated specially for old engines (old=high mileage).
I'd switch to synthetics as soon as the car is broken in.
There is nothing wrong with synthetic oil. But if you choose to use it then stay with it, as long as your car has low milege. The reason for this is that the seals in an older/higher milege the seals in the engine are conditioned for regular non synthetic, and should you switch, the engine seals will start to leak as the synthetic oil can seep past the seals and your oil consumption will go up. So if you want to go synthetic, go after the engine is broken in. Otherwise stay with conventional oils. Oh and if you think a blend is good, no it's not. It's a waste of money, just another marketing scheme.
Hot viscosity of a 5W30 and 10W30 are the same, thus in our cool Canada, it's equal.
And I agree, Toyota recommends the 5W30, so me too, I stick with that.
If you're in say, Arizona, it's better to get a 10W40 or 5W50 because even the 10W30s basis oil is too thin.
There is nothing wrong with synthetic oil. But if you choose to use it then stay with it, as long as your car has low milege. The reason for this is that the seals in an older/higher milege the seals in the engine are conditioned for regular non synthetic, and should you switch, the engine seals will start to leak as the synthetic oil can seep past the seals and your oil consumption will go up. So if you want to go synthetic, go after the engine is broken in. Otherwise stay with conventional oils. Oh and if you think a blend is good, no it's not. It's a waste of money, just another marketing scheme.
Myth: Mobil 1 will leak out of the seals of older cars.
Reality:
Mobil 1 does not cause leaks. In fact, new Mobil 1 was tested in dozens of industry standard and OEM tests to prove its seal performance. It is fully compatible with the elastomeric materials from which all automotive seals and gaskets are made. If an older engine is in good condition and does not have oil leaks, Mobil 1 provides the same advantages as when used in a new engine. ExxonMobil recommends taking measures to repair the leaks, then using Mobil 1. ExxonMobil also recommends following the automobile manufacturer's manual for the proper oil to use.
I've converted a number of high mileage cars without a single problem.
Highest was a 1986 4 cylinder S-10 truck at 125, 000. Took it ot 250,000 and sold it. Was still running like new with little to no oil consumption.....15K intervals, mostly hiway.
1998 Camry at 120,000, 1995 Corolla at 110,000, 1998 4 cylinder Ford Ranger at 60,000, 1996 Plymouth Voyager at 20,000
I'm at 74,000 now with the Ranger and no troubles.
I think too many people put credence in the cleaning capabilities of synthetics after the fact.
I would never recommend an engine flush though for a high mileage engine.
Myth: Mobil 1 will leak out of the seals of older cars.
Reality:
Mobil 1 does not cause leaks. In fact, new Mobil 1 was tested in dozens of industry standard and OEM tests to prove its seal performance. It is fully compatible with the elastomeric materials from which all automotive seals and gaskets are made. If an older engine is in good condition and does not have oil leaks, Mobil 1 provides the same advantages as when used in a new engine. ExxonMobil recommends taking measures to repair the leaks, then using Mobil 1. ExxonMobil also recommends following the automobile manufacturer's manual for the proper oil to use.
You are absolutely correct, Mobil One (or any other synthetic oil for that matter) will not cause
leaks.
However, it has often been observed that after converting an older engine to synthetic, some gaskets, at the sump or valvecover started leaking. What really happened is this. The old gaskets were only holding the oil because of dirt accumulating on the inside of old oil.
Synthetic oils wash out dirt far more than minerals, so the dirt got removed from the gasket and thus the leak started.
Apart from all that, it's hardly beneficial to convert an engine with very high mileage to synthetics. I'd rather change to synthetics in a young engine and keep it synthetic.
Oil consumption is not increased with synthetics per se, but because piston rings may also be smothered with dirt and synthetic oil may wash that out, then the worn piston rings will pump the oil into the combustion chamber and thus, oil consumption increases.
But on a healthy engine, after one oil change interval, oil consumption actually DEcreases.
The first time you may record higher consumption but after about 5000 mi/8000 km it
usually settles in.
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Mobil-1 Synthetic 5w30 & Corolla XRS
There is nothing wrong with synthetic oil. But if you choose to use it then stay with it, as long as your car has low milege. The reason for this is that the seals in an older/higher milege the seals in the engine are conditioned for regular non synthetic, and should you switch, the engine seals will start to leak as the synthetic oil can seep past the seals and your oil consumption will go up. So if you want to go synthetic, go after the engine is broken in. Otherwise stay with conventional oils. Oh and if you think a blend is good, no it's not. It's a waste of money, just another marketing scheme.
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