obxfishn

I have a question for the yota crew. I have a 02 Tacoma 4X4 and it has 7K mikes on it. I was doing some research on synthetic oils vs. regular Penzoil 10w-30. What is your feeling towards synthetic oils. Do they eventually help or hurt the engine and its components. Thank you in advance.

44Runner

I always run synthetic. Have since day one in the runner, and before in my acura i switched it to synthetic as soon as i got it. I feel it is worth it. I change my own oil obviously, so i might as well do it right

tomus1000

I have been wrestling with the same question lately. I just used my last free oilchange from the dealer and I think it is time to switch to synthetic in the truck.

My other question is: How long between oil changes when running synthetic?

donc

I have used semi and full synthic since 10K mile to insure break-in.
I have used Mobil 1 and other full synthic untill my last change when I switched to Amsoil. I will not go back. I change oil between 5-6K miles and always change the filter at the same time.
I read an articale that said the best way to insure engine life was to change the orginal oil at 500 miles the first time the every 2-3K after that.
I've had good luck following that advice.
Good Luck

1WiCkEd_RuNNer

Synthetic or not Synthetic is the Question!!!! Well, first and foremost penzoil is the worst oil for a motor ever made! Castro Synthetic is the worst Synthetic ever since they changed their base stock! The best Synthetics are Mobil 1 or Amsoil! Depending which one you chose, is the one you like! They both are high quality Synthetics!!!! As far as intervals I personal stay at 3000 miles, but with high quality oil filters you can go up to 7500 miles between intervals! I was using Valvoline but switched to Mobil 1. I have had better luck with Mobil 1. Plus is does not break down as fast as Valvoline! Like I said Mobil 1 or Amsoil are the best on the market just depends which one you chose!

Victor

Make sure you drive the engine hard while with dino oil. Change it when its due the first time. 7500 miles? I change mine every 10000 miles but I analyzed it once and even after 10000 miles it tested great and the lab thought it could go quite a bit longer. 10000 is a very safe number with synthetic - as a matter of fact my VW has 10k oil changes from the factory as long as you use a suitable synthetic.

jx94148

I use Synthetic oil because it lasts longer before it gets too dark to please me.

For a while I didn't mind changing dino oil every 2500 miles. When I was changing oil every 6 weeks I got fed up with it. Since then I have been experimenting with different synths and filters to find an economical and long lasting motor oil setup.

I like doing oil twice a year rather than 5 times a year.

HBoss

I like Amsoil syn. 5W30 myself. I put it in and leave it in for a year. I change the Amsoil filter every 3 months and it's been doing well, and staying very clean. I only drive about 13,000 - 14,000 miles a year. Amsoil says you can leave it in for one year or 25,000 miles from what I've read. Since I don't clock a lot of miles, I go by time instead.

Lifer

I run Mobil 1 synthetic throughout my Runner.
I used to run Amsoil, but it was a pain in the butt to have to order or track down dealer. With Mobil 1, everyone carries that, so......

As far as change intervals I go with 6000 miles, like jx said, its nice changing oil 2-3 times a year versus 5-6 times with regular oil.

I also switched the wifes 02' Civic to synthetic after her free dealer changes ran out.

Synthetic just gives my a better piece of mind , and is the only thing that will go in my vehicles.

I say go for it.