*Illuminati*

I just got mine. 97 SR5 Manual approaching 45K. I hopped on here and it seems lots of people like synthetic with an OEM ...??? filter (do you have to get it from a dealership?). Don't know much, but this is how I learn... I live in Idaho = 5 months of freezing, 4 months of broiling and 3 relatively enjoyable ones. I'm looking to not have to worry about 3k changes. Whats worked well for everyone else? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Brew

<--- Omaha, NE

Broadest weather patterns Ive ever seen

I use Mobil 1 synthetic 10w30 with Toyota OEM filters...and you can buy these in cases from the dealership. I change my oil every 2500-3000 miles, but I can change it at my shop. Synthetic takes longer to break down than conventional oil does, so that might give you better lubrication for a little while longer. I say, dont go over 5000 miles maximum with synthetic oil, depending on the condition of the engine also. Im just anal and systematic about my yota's health

Welcome to YotaTech...Im a new guy myself! Great guys on here too!

Brewsky

VolcomTacoma

You should have no problem switching to synthetic at that miliage as long as there was regular oil changes done. I would use the recommended 5W-30 especially for colder temps. and Mobil 1. You can get the filters from the dealership or places such as: www.trdparts4u.com

*Illuminati*

Thanks. So what kind of synthetic? Also, 5-30W or 10-30W given my prior living conditions... Whats the difference anyway? ... ok someone already replied before I could even post this... I think I like it here... Thanks again.

VolcomTacoma

You have the v6 right? On the oil cap it should say 5W-30 like my 98 Tacoma. That is what I would run. The older trucks like my 93 had 10W-30 on the oil cap. From my 98 owners manual it says 5W-30 is recommended and good for all temps. The 10W-30 is for temps. above 0 degrees. Also 5k mile intervals with Mobil 1 is fine and what most people run even though it can last a lot longer.

*Illuminati*

Great! Thats all I needed. Thanks.

X2and4X

welcome!!! *Iilluminati* and Brew

hey brew im in omaha like every other weekend. might see ya around sometime.

FilthyRich

i run 0w-30 amsoil Severe Duty with an Amsoil filter. you will need to get an engine flush( from Amsoil-its a can) before you do the oil change. 12 months or 36,000 miles. No more 3k mile changes.

Bob_98SR5

Illuminati,

I would consider using 0W-30 give the cold weather environment. Also, I would suggest hooking up an oil relocator kit if you have problems changing your oil filter. I'm in the process of doing so within the next few days, so you can check out my install soon.

The advantage of using a synthetic oil like Amsoil (shameless indept dealer plug ) 0w-30 is that the change intervals are much longer than your typical dino or synthetic. With Amsoil's Series 2000 0w-30, you can go between 25,000 to 35,000 miles (or 1 year max) and only have to change the filter at 12,500 miles or 6 months.

With the filter relocator kit, you can easily change out the filter...easier than the current, stock location, that is.

Anyways, check back in a few days and i"ll post up my writeup.

bob

ewarnerusa

I use the Amsoil synthetic 5W-30 with an oversized Amsoil filter. This is my first round with the Amsoil, and it seems like some really nice stuff. alot of people on this forum swear by it. I put it in last spring and just changed the filter last month at around 5,000 miles on the oil. The oil is rated for for one year/25,000 miles with an oil filter change every 6 months/12,500 miles. I'm not putting that kind of miles on the truck, but the 6 month intervals work well for me. The truck is running great, still new at around 12,000 miles. The filter is not the recommended stock filter replacement, but it has the same thread pattern and diameter and is a bit longer with more filtration media and adds a bit more oil capacity to the engine. SDF34 filter from Amsoil. The stock replacement is SDF57. This is assuming you have the V6 in your '97. The stock replacement filter is actually the same for the I4 and V6, but I have no idea if the oversize one fits in the 4 cyl. I assume it does since there's much more room in the engine bay when the I4 is dropped in there!
http://www.amsoil.com/products/asl.html