Perhaps silly, but Synthetic Oil weight correlate exactly to convention oil weights ?

"Mark A" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:2NudnerXstk1YAPYnZ2dnUVZ_uKknZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:170bd$459e8896> Synthetic oil makers used to claim that it was safe
> to extend oil change[color=green]
>> intervals, but the problem with that claim is that they would be on the
>> hook in the event of engine damage instead of the automaker, so the
>> advantage of extended change intervals is pretty much gone now. I do
>> believe that synthetic oil performs better than conventional oil, but I
>> also look at things from a cost - benefit point of view. If the engine
>> is normally aspirated (no turbo or supercharger) and you are only going
>> to keep the vehicle for a relatively short period of time (say < 100,000
>> miles) and follow factory recommended oil change intervals, then you
>> probably will not recover the additional cost of the oil when you sell
>> the vehicle. On the other hand, if you are going to keep the vehicle
>> until it dies, then there is a benefit from synthetics if the engine
>> lasts 100,000 miles or whatever longer than it would have with
>> conventional oil and the rest of the vehicle holds together as well.
>> There is the argument that documentation of the use of synthetic oil will
>> enhance the value of the vehicle at trade-in, but I've never seen an
>> "add" in the NADA guide, KBB, Edmunds, etc. to the value of the vehicle
>> for synthetic use.
>>
>> I do not advocate or discourage the use of synthetic oil; I just try to
>> get people a clearer picture of the costs and benefits.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O[/color]
>
> If one changes their oil at 3000 intervals (as many do), then using
> synthetic oil at 6000 mile intervals will be about the same cost, and the
> synthetic oil will provide better engine protection at 6000 miles than the
> conventional oil does at 3000 miles. So on that basis, the cost
> differential may be non-existent or minimal.[/color]

This is true, but my example assumed that the oil change intervals would be
5,000 miles in both cases. Toyota specifically warns not to extend the oil
change intervals beyone their recommendations with synthetic oils. Mobil
does provide some engine guarantee with Mobil 1, and if their coverage is as
good as the factory warranty, then there may be merit to going past the
factory recommended intervals.
[color=blue]
>
> In addition, a 5W-30 synthetic oil provides better fuel economy than
> conventional 5W-30 oil. Not much better, but at least several dollars
> worth at every oil change. A .1/4 gallon per mile increase (20.25 vs. 20
> MPG) in gas mileage will yield about $10 savings every 6000 miles.[/color]

I am not anti-synthetic. If one wants the best motor oil available, then
synthetic is the way to go. All I'm saying is that if one follows the
factory recommended oil change intervals and trades vehicles every 3 to 5
years, then conventional oil is certainly good enough.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:7ea78$459f2345$47c2b532> This is true, but my example assumed that the
oil change intervals would be[color=blue]
> 5,000 miles in both cases. Toyota specifically warns not to extend the
> oil change intervals beyone their recommendations with synthetic oils.
> Mobil does provide some engine guarantee with Mobil 1, and if their
> coverage is as good as the factory warranty, then there may be merit to
> going past the factory recommended intervals.[/color]

I don't know about the newer cars, but my 98 Camry specifies 7500 between
oil changes (5000 miles for severe service). I feel very comfortable in
going 6000 miles with Mobil 1 5W-30. I would not feel comfortable going 6000
miles with conventional oil. Therefore, for me at least (and maybe others)
the cost of a full synthetic is not much higher (if any) than using
conventional oil.

The upside of a full synthetic is not having to worry about gelling, and not
worrying as much about worn valves and other problems associated with higher
mileage engines.

"Mark A" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:HKGdnbaeELProgLYnZ2dnUVZ_sSmnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:7ea78$459f2345$47c2b532> This is true, but my example assumed that
> the oil change intervals would be[color=green]
>> 5,000 miles in both cases. Toyota specifically warns not to extend the
>> oil change intervals beyone their recommendations with synthetic oils.
>> Mobil does provide some engine guarantee with Mobil 1, and if their
>> coverage is as good as the factory warranty, then there may be merit to
>> going past the factory recommended intervals.[/color]
>
> I don't know about the newer cars, but my 98 Camry specifies 7500 between
> oil changes (5000 miles for severe service). I feel very comfortable in
> going 6000 miles with Mobil 1 5W-30. I would not feel comfortable going
> 6000 miles with conventional oil. Therefore, for me at least (and maybe
> others) the cost of a full synthetic is not much higher (if any) than
> using conventional oil.[/color]

for the OP's 2006 4Runner, the factory recommended oil change interval is
5,000 miles.

--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:5b44f$459f448a$47c2b532[color=blue]
> for the OP's 2006 4Runner, the factory recommended oil change interval is
> 5,000 miles.
> Ray O[/color]

Then in that case, one can go from 3000 mile intervals with conventional oil
(used by many people) to 5000 mile intervals with synthetic oil. This would
still make the price of a synthetic oil change reasonably close to the price
of a conventional oil change. When you consider the other benefits, like
increased fuel mileage, then it gets even closer to the same cost.

I fairly certain that if synthetic oil was required and used by everyone,
the oil change interval recommended by Toyota would be higher than 5000
miles.