My 98' runner currently has about 178k miles. I'm about to go on a trip from TX to Colorado and back, and then immediately after go down to Mexico for an archaeological dig. The diff, transfer case, and tranny fluids were last changed at the dealer around 130k or so. My question is should I change to Amsoil or another premium synthetic fluid or should I stick with the stock Toyota fluids?

 

yes I sez

 

I have redline in my 4runner tranny and rotella in my trucks diffs.

the rotella smells good kind of piney

 

go with the amsoil,ive been running this stuff in all my vehicles with no issues.

 

i've run nothing but amsoil in my vehicles for a very, very long time. that said, the only time one ever dripped was a high mileage jeep that i switched over at about 125k. i believe in the product, but with your mileage, and what you're about to do, stay with stock fluids.
besides, do you plan on carrying extra all over creation? my guess is you won't find amsoil near the dig, although i could be wrong.

 

I've been reading up on whether synthetics and regular dino oils are interchangeable. What I've been reading is that they are as long as there are no existing oil leaks, because if there are the synthetics will flow through at a greater rate. I would really like to put synthetic in the diffs, as I use synthetic Mobil 1 in the motor. Would it be alright for me to use Amsoil if I thoroughly inspected all the diffs and transfer case to make sure that there were no preexisting leaks?

 

Go with the AMSOIL--great stuff and it really creates a film that lasts on the parts--even after its been drained. After everything is broken in on my rig i am going AMSOIL all the way

 

IF you put in Toyota, your parts will turn to slag.

Or so say the aftermarket oil crowd.

 

I was thinking of making the switch, with being able to run 25k per oil change.. does it actually save you money?

 

I think it depends on how much you drive a year since having a 25k oil change interval for me would take over 3 years which there's no way I'm leaving the same oil in my truck for that time period but if you put 25k on in a year or so it might be worth it.

I run Mobile 1 for 8k miles (using a Puralator PureOne filter) which is about every 10 months for me and the local dealership just gave it a very thorough once-over and reported nothing and at 150k my truck is running quite well,burns very little oil and has zero leaks.

 

it can save a ton of cash if you go to jiffy or one of those. change oil yourself and you won't see near the savings.
either way, go to the site and sign up for a 6 month preferred customer account--$10. buy EVERYTHING you'll need for all your vehicles in case lots (if you can) for a number of years, group orders to save on shipping. you'll save enough to make it worth your while, easily the $10.
i change way before 25k, but still notice the savings. had both vehicles on amsoil oil and lube for years, now just one. won't run anything else.

 

Yah, I'm DIY guy. I'm sure I put on at least 15k a year on my truck. Just depends on what I'm doing for work. I'll will look into it, since I run valoline or napa premium syntech. cheaper at napa, but if I can't get there during business hours. Walmart in the gal jug. but, I was adding it up, 50-60 amsoil change. or almost 40 dollars every 3,000 miles.
oh and I need to look into for my gf's car. I ahve to run that euro syn thats 8$ a quart per 5,000 miles.. if I can spend a little more and get a bunch of miles. it would be worth it.

 

Went ahead and bought the Amsoil, and I went ahead and purchased the preferred customer account that way I can get the Amsoil products at dealer cost .