I bought my Dad's 2000 4Runner and its just a bit overdue for its first oil change under my care. I called the place he normally has it done (not the dealership but an import vehicle service place) and they quoted me $83 plus tax for an oil change. Granted, it's synthetic, but holy crap! I went to my local store and dropped about $50 for 7 quarts of Mobil 1 10W30 synthetic, and a mobil 1 performance oil filter. Not a whole lot cheaper but I can use the other $30 for a tank of gas.

Our other vehicle is a Honda Civic and I have always put "normal" oil in it and have not had to deal with the expense of synthetic. I figure if the 4Runner has been babied so far and has been using synthetic I should continue the trend. Any thoughts? How many miles can I go before the next change on synthetic oil?

 

sorry to say but you got ripped off about 25 bucks for mobil 1 full syn and 6 bucks for a filter and the 4runner only needs about 5.5 quarts of oil also ive always used regular oil as syn cost to much

 

did that $85 include the 'other' lube?

 

I even got the Mobil 1 oil on sale too! Everywhere I looked it was about $5.99 a quart. I bought 7 quarts because I read the runner takes 5.5 plus whatever goes in the filter. If I don't crack open the extra 2 quarts I'll have them for next time. Where can I get oil cheaper?

If the truck has been using synthetic is it a good idea to swith back to regular? I plan on keeping this vehicle a long time and want to take as good care of it as possible.

 

i'd stick with the synth. for as long as you can (afford to). yes you can go back to dino, but that kinda defeats the purpose of switching, unless it was strictly cost reasons...

 

what do you mean by "what ever goes in the filter?"
you know the 5.5 quarts includes that... its all one system and the oil goes into the filter as its pumped through to clean the oil....

edit, btw yes the $83 is way too much imo... even for synthetic

 

it only needs 5.5 quarts also where did you get the oil ?

 

I wasn't clear whether you add or subtract from the 5.5 quarts when accounting for the filter. I know its all one system. I was trying to explain why I bought an extra quart.

It has been a while since I did maintenance on my own vehicle but I want to learn how to work on the 4runner. I have a friend from work with a strong mechanic background helping me out and showing me some tricks etc.

An oil change for my wifes car costs about $20 where we take it and they do a whole lot more checking and maintenance while they're at it. I have gotten lazy I suppose.

edit: I bought the oil at Checker Auto

 

make sure to lube all the underbody stuff while doing the change... and, I think changing from syn back to regular requires a flush of some sort?

 

no flush needed. you can switch back and fourth all day long.

 

My friend has the grease gun at his place. I want to get into the habit of doing the lion's share of my own vehicle care with the runner. I have 3 other minor projects on the horizon.

1) tighten up E brake
2) tighten up drivers door hinge (so it stays open on its own on my steep driveway)
3) remove brake rotors and either have old rotors machined or replace w/ new

 

while your at it i would switch over to full syn blinker fluid

 

Where should I pick up this blinker fluid you speak of?

 

I got my synthetic @ walmart. Was like 20 bucks for 5 quarts.
Shouldn't really matter if you switch back and forth. Synthetic just resists breakdown longer than conv. They all just lube things really. Synthetic can just last longer. Just make sure you get a good filter. No sense keeping good oil in if all you do is let bad stuff circulate around all the time.

 

i think most auto parts stores has it but its about $100 bucks per light

 

I hope you know he is messing with you

 

I may be a newb but Im not that inept (but I do have my moments)

 

hahahaha seriously.. i live in the middle of nowhere and oil isnt even that expensive. but they make up for it with insane prices on everything else

 

im stickin to conventional oil due to price. 2.80/qrt is enough

 

The good news is I dont put the miles on incredibly fast and I can supposedly go longer between oil changes (so I've heard). Is 5k between synthetic changes safe? mostly city friving but the occasional road and offroad trip thrown in for good measure.