I am recently responsible for the maintenance on an '01 V6 Highlander. It was very well maintained for its first 50K miles, then was driven another 30K miles without any maintenance -- not even an oil change. :facepalm:
At 80K miles I took over its care and had all fluids changed using OEM fluids. At 85K miles, did the engine oil again, again with OEM dino oil.
I'm a devoted synthetic oil user in my own cars; the Highlander has had dino its entire now 90K mile life.
I would like to make the switch, and under ordinary circumstances would feel comfortable doing it, but I'm worried about that 50K to 80K stretch where the oil wasn't changed, given the sludge issues this series of engine has associated with it.
Would a switch to synthetic under these specific circumstances be advised, not make a difference, or risk problems?
At 80K miles I took over its care and had all fluids changed using OEM fluids. At 85K miles, did the engine oil again, again with OEM dino oil.
I'm a devoted synthetic oil user in my own cars; the Highlander has had dino its entire now 90K mile life.
I would like to make the switch, and under ordinary circumstances would feel comfortable doing it, but I'm worried about that 50K to 80K stretch where the oil wasn't changed, given the sludge issues this series of engine has associated with it.
Would a switch to synthetic under these specific circumstances be advised, not make a difference, or risk problems?