Hey gang,

I am currently using Toyota motor oil on my 4-Runner (51k). I did a search on the forum and found tons of pros and cons on which oil to use (dino oil, Mobil 1, Amsoil, etc. etc....) but I still am not sure what is the best to use. Should I stick with the Toyota oil or switch to a brand such as Valvoline, or go synthetic with the likes of Mobil 1, Amsoil or Royal Purple?

Thanks in advance for your help and advice!

 

Mobil1 gets my vote! I go 10K between changes with no problems...I changed to synthetic about 60K. I use M1 products all the way around. Trans, Diff, and Crankcase.

 

Thanks ugadawg95! I am leaning towards Mobil1, just that the cases I've read about "leaks when switching over to synthetic oil" is keeping me in wuss status!

 

Amsoil 0W-30 for all my and my family cars. Replace interval 25K or once a year and Amsoil SDF34 filter every 10K or 6 month.

 

Mobile 1 gets my vote also. They have an oil out now that they claim you can go 75,000 between changes. I use the 5W/30 synthetic and run it about 8,000-10,000 and the oil still looks great. My engine runs so quiet that I have gotten in imy Tacoma and forgot that it was already running.
I have heard great things about Amsoil but it's hard to find around here and there test don't really impress me anymore than the Mobile 1 test. I would think that they are the top two when it comes to synthetic's so it's just a matter of who you like or trust the most. Mike

 

Forgot to ad that mine had 45,000 before I switched over and not one leak. Don't know who came up with the leak being due to synthetic but it's highly unlikely. Oil is oil and the fact that one outlast another should not have anything to do with any leaks. Just my observation and openion...for what it's worth Mike

 

my friend's uncle was a chemical engineer/consultant for mobil. we asked him what the deal with synthetic was and he said that when you purify normal oil there are a lot of different molecules in it, they are mostly all paraffins, which are what you want, but some of them are less stable and can break down. synthetic oil is made of man-made paraffins, all uniform chemical makeup. it doesnt break down as fast as the normal stuff does. he said they always knew synthetic oil could go like 15000 miles between changes but they never came out with it for liability reasons. he uses it and changes every 15000 and he was on the "inside", so id trust it. the only problem i could see is carbon contaminating it, you cant stop that from happening. he also said clean oil is clean oil, and regular oil is just as good if you replace it more often

 

Mobile 1 syn every 7500 miles;I guess I could go longer but I only average 2 oil changes a year and that's about every 6 months is about the longest I'm comfortable with the same filter and oil in my truck. If I drove 2000 miles a month I would maybe go over 10k but to me it's about how long you run the same oil over time not just miles. If I went 15k I would only change the oil every 15-17 months or longer and I just can't do that.

 

Another vote for M1 5W-30 and a Toyota filter. I mainly run M1 because it is a great deal at Wal-Mart in the 5 qt jug. Costco has a good deal on it too. I change mine every 5K miles. Sounds like I should go longer...

 

Amsoil 5W-30 in the 4Runner, 5W20 in the Crown Vic. Dino 10W-30 in my beater Bronco 2, maybe I'll change that later once its running properly & passes inspection.

 

mobil 1, no question

 

I know Toyota Canada actually recommends and pushes Mobil 1 synthetic. They have little pamphlets at the service counter listing all the benefits of making the switch to Mobil 1 synthetic with the Toyota logo on it. Obviously they're trying to sell it to make some $$ but I also know Toyota is generally pretty smart about what they pick and choose to endorse.

I run Mobil 1 10w30 in my truck with a stock Toyota oil filter and I definately think you should consider running Mobil 1.

Best of luck with whichever way you go.

 

I run M1 10W-30 in my Runner as well with the stock Toyota oil filter, ran the same in my old 2nd gen...works great for me. I'm getting ready to switch to the 5k interval but for some reason I'm stuck on the 3,500 rule...I'm seeing a therapist and the next step is to carry out the extra 1,500 miles and wait for 5k, I'm on a 3-step program.

Fink

 

Don't go near any literature about Mobile 1's new 75,000 mile oil! You will never be able to stand the strain!

 

Another Vote for - Mobil 1 synthetic,
Is the only oil I use as well.

 

i use mobil 1 5w30 synthetic in my 02 4runner. seems to be working great for me. i normally try to change it every 3500 miles.

 

I've used Mobil 1 10w30 in my 4Runner for almost 8 years now. I'm currently running their 15,000 mile extended performance synthetic.

What is this 75,000 mile oil you're referring too?.

As far as I know, they have their regular dino oil rated at 5000 miles.
Their synthetic blend, rated at 7500 miles.
And the full synthetic extended performance, rated at 15,000 miles.

 

For my Hilux Surf, I use Red Line Diesel 15W40 for the engine, Red Line High Temp ATF for the tranny and power steering, and Red Line 75W90 for the differentials and transfer case.

 

Thanks again everyone for the feedback!

 

Mobil 1