kaneman23

I dumped the factory oil at 500mi and replenished with dino - 5w30 Quaker State(dealer). I did the same at 1500mi, 3500mi and @ 5500 I switched to M1 5W30. My initial observation is that this oil was super thin compared to the 5w30 dino. The gas mileage improved and the motor seemed to be smooth as silk. However, it consumed a 1/2 quart during the 5K mi interval. I wrote the consumption off as the motor still breaking in and that perhaps the 5W30 was too thin.. I changed it again @ 10,500K mi but decided to use the M1 10w30 based on what I've read on this board and my experience with the 5W30. I bought a 5QT jug M1 10W30 and I had 2qts of the M1 5W30 left over. Using the stock Toyota oil filter(always) I poured in the 10W30 and noticed that it wasn't much thicker then the 5W. I topped off with 1.5qts of the 5W30.

I've put 1500mi on the truck since the change and again it's consumed 1/2qt of oil! Either the M1 is too thin or my truck has a problem. Is this normal? I don't have this problem in the Tacoma... I've got almost 4K miles left on this oil but I'm thinking of switching to another synth such as Amsoil, Redline, or Royal Purple. If I do what weight should I use? The Amsoil 0W30? Is it thicker then the M1? Just looking for some advice and opinions..

Anyone else consuming oil with M1?

Sac State

I would use what Toyota recommends, which is 5W30. I have only used M1 in one vehicle. I did not have a positive experience with M1. If you change your dino oil every 3K miles, I can't imagine it being not as good as M1. Burning oil, syn or dino, is not a good sign. Do you have smoke coming out the exhaust? Check engine light? Leaks in the driveway?

BTW, my dealer uses 10W30 in all oil changes unless requested differently from the consumer. I asked about the Toy recommended 5W30, and they said in this environment 10W30 is fine, it goes against my better judgement, I should be using what Toyota recommends. Think I will request 5W30 in my oil change next week.

Highland Runner

I just started using M1 10w-30 syn at 200,000 miles. I found just the oppsite to be true. I used to burn 1/2 qt every 2k miles. Now its barely noticable at 2k miles. I think all engines consume some oil. Ask over on http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi? . It seems people always have this question on the oil board.

kaneman23

There aren't any signs of leakage. My guess is that the M1 is too thin and is slipping past the rings. I've heard this is a common problem on newer motors because manufacturers are using low tension rings. I'm not smoking out of the tail pipe either....

Also, I have my reasons for using synthetics; longer drain intervals, better lubricating properties, less likely to sludge, and I'm going to keep this truck for a long time. I've used DINO forever and I've got no complaints but the synth provides better protection.

kaneman23

I posted the info on Bob's board earlier this morning. So far none of them seem to think that 1/2 quart is anything unusual. It should get better and I may see what happens when I switch to AMSOIL.

BT17R

I've used M1 5W-30 for 1K miles since changeover and show no measurable oil loss. The owner's manual (p. 320) shows the quantity of oil between the hi-lo marks is 1.6 qts. You might be losing more than you think.

amorphous

Don't do that. Don't mix different weights of oil.

Dunno if that would have anything to do with your "missing" oil...but, don't do that if you can help it!

~aaron

kaneman23

I always fill up to match the top dimple on the dip stick which is exactly 6.5 quarts. At 6.0 it's in the middle mark between the dimples..

Now at the last oil change I put my 6.5 qts in as normal but after 1500mi's the oil is measuring at the middle mark (which is where the oil level is supposed to be).. Perhaps by topping off and extra 1/2 a quart the oil is burning off? I'm not going to top it off for the next 2 weeks and see what happens.

Do you know the capacity off the top of your head? I think it's 6.2 qts with a filter change...

kaneman23

Nope that's bad info.... You can mix different weights and many people do this on purpose.. check out the www.bobistheoilguy forums(the oil drop server)..

BT17R

2UZ oil capacity is 6.5 qts. w/OEM filter (p. 349).

kaneman23

Thanks! I didn't have mine in front of me.. I poured in slightly over 6.5 quarts. Probably 6.75 to be closer.. Perhaps I've lost less then I thought? Where does your oil register on your dipstick? Mine is perfectly in the middle mark now but as I said before I like it to be at the top mark..

amorphous

news to me, I've learned something new today!

thanks!

aaron

kaneman23

That's why I love this place! Sorry if I sounded grumpy in my last post.

amorphous

no offence taken! I think it's so cool that you can mix weights!

Knowledge is power!

~aaron

BT17R

I just checked mine cold after it sat all night. It's at the top mark. That's after a measured 6½ qt. w/filter fill 1K miles ago.

Bob K

I switched over to M1 5W30 at 33K (when I bought the 4Runner) I now have a little over 43K and have not used a drop of oil between the 2 changes I have made and these have been a hard 10K miles some towing and lots of stop and go driving.

bamachem

Are you initially measuring the oil on the dipstick RIGHT AFTER you fill it up? If so, and the engine hasn't been run any yet, then the filter is empty. You crank it up and the filter fills. When you check it again, the oil will appear to be lower on the dipstick since the filter will now remain full. That's probally where your missing 1/2 qt is!

kaneman23

I'm using the same 5W30 in my S/C'd 99' Tacoma and it hasn't used a drop either. It has over 78K miles of hard driving.

kaneman23

Thanks but I already knew that... Mine is disappearing after 1500 miles. I check it religiously.

4RUNR

Mind if I inquire for the logic behind that one?