07 Camry V6 Dino-Syn question........

[dbvettez06]

Buying a new Camry for the long run 10+ years...The question of syn/dino oils is puzzling me...A lot of owners do this and that, car runs like a top...Right, you can do most anything to the oil for 3-4 years, and all cars will run great...I am looking at a very long ownership ...My question is a repetitive one, go with a good dino oil/castrol gtx etc every 3-4000 miles or go with mobile one and change oil every 5-6000 miles.....I really wonder what the long term difference would be...The tolerences are getting tighter in the new cars, soon, they will running a thinner oil then 5-20..Your thoughts would be appreciated..Also, i use a premium oil filter on my daily driver, as well as my toys..
Also, i wonder when you could use syn oil in some of the newer engines, with the tighter tolerences, when are these engines 'broke in'????

[ April 03, 2006, 10:02 AM: Message edited by: dbvettez06 ]

 

[edvanp]

If it were me, I'd run my own blend for 4-5k and change it. I like to mix, so I'd run all the same brand/weight of oil, but one quart would be synthetic. For the $$$, 4 quarts of Exxon and 1 quart of M1 Syn is a great blend. Now get ready for a 100 different answers!

 

[ChiTDI]

Seems lke the engines are so well built the oil is getting the credit for the superior construction and design. Quality oil seems like your real choice, whether the $ value of syn is worth it or not. I use GC in one, Schaeffer's blend in a couple others, and dino in Grandma's 4k annual mileage Camry. Great cars, all of them. Good luck with yours.

 

[kenny1773]

In order to keep your warranty intact, you will have to change every 5000 miles up to the first 60k miles (unless Toyota changed that for 07, my 05 requires 5K OCI's).

From mostly reading this site, I think any name brand oil (and some of the no name brand oils) would be just fine (assuming no extreme conditons) for 5000 mile OCI's in a Camry.

I have used Mobil I for decades in all my cars and always been very happy with it for 10 year 150k mile vehicle lifespans.

Mobil I has gotten outrageously expensive these days, IMO.

I just switched to Motorcraft semi-syth oil 5w30 that I can buy at Walmart for $2.07/quart. (switched mostly due to cost)

I think I will be just fine changing oil in the camry every 5000 miles for the life of the car. I plan to keep it 10 years 150k miles at a minium.


I will however still keep Mobil I 15w-50 in my Motorcycle. 12,000 rpm redline, air cooled, and I only change oil in it once a year

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

Well, if non-synthetic oils were as good as synthetic oils, I expect that Mercedes, Saab, Corvettes and other cars would come factory filled with the less expensive stuff.

Its your car, do what you please. Yep, if you have to change oil 3 times a year for warranty reasons, and you use a $5 a quart oil instead of a $1.50 qt, you'll spend about $45 more per year to get better performance, better protection, maybe better fuel economy, easier cold starts (if that matters to you), cooler running under load in hot weather.
Of course, this won't make any difference if you get rear-ended at a stop light.

 

[jeepman]

We just bought a couple of very low mileage cars, and I wouldn't even think about running anything but Synthetic myself. I agree with **** in Falls Church that IMO the Synthetics offer better protection in many ways for today's more complex and smaller engines. In a 4 or small 6 cylinder, I sleep better knowing that these hard pounding machines have the best of the best in them. An extra $45 a year gives me a lot of peace of mind, even on short change intervals. With that said, I am moving mine over to Penzoil Platinum on the next change.

 

[Ray H]

quote:

---

Originally posted by **** in Falls Church:
Well, if non-synthetic oils were as good as synthetic oils, I expect that Mercedes, Saab, Corvettes and other cars would come factory filled with the less expensive stuff.

---

At least in the case of M-B and BMW (Audi/VW, too?), another viewpoint is now that those companies do the routine service as part of the purchase price, they're extending OCIs to cut their own expenses as well as for owner convenieince. Pushing 10,000 miles or more isn't recommended for conventional motor oils if you're the company responsible for maintenance during the warranty period.

 

[kenny1773]

I think it is funny that I have been a die hard mobil I fan for decades and reading this site has convinced me to try something else and replies I see are all people saying stick with synthetic

I will always stick religiously with the 5000 mile OCI. I did 3000-3500 until I started to read this site.

I guess if the motorcraft semi-syth 5w30 blows up my engine before my expected 150k mile service life, I will be back to Mobil I

 

[Bill in Utah]

I've been one who put tons of miles on my cars (Ihave a 2005 Corolla which just turned 42k) and sell those cars to family / friends (because they know they have been taken care of and driven correctly).

Some are well past 200k and one is close to 300k with running normal oil and normal filters (mostly frams).

I've run just good conventional oil and change it out every 4-5k and never had a problem. The engines are clean, get excellent MPG and UOAs come back excellent.

Do the same and your new Camry will be protected well.

Todays oils are excellent.

Nice car! (I'd love one)

quote:

---

I guess if the motorcraft semi-syth 5w30 blows up my engine before my expected 150k mile service life,

---

Never happen due to your oil choice! It's excellent oil!

Take care, Bill

PS:

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Bill in Utah makes sense and he doesn't sell oil.

 

[The Critic]

I'd use the CHEAPEST conventional oil carrying the correct API rating and grade, changed every 3000 miles. Prior Toyota V6 engines have been quite hard on oil, and frequent oil changes with conventional oil have been a proven way of keeping the engine reasonably clean. The brand/model of the oil used is irrelevant provided that the oil is of the correct API rating and viscosity, and is changed frequently. (3000 mile)

The new Toyota 3.5L V6 uses a special cartridge oil filter. The filter is about $6 at the local dealer, but Purolator has an aftermarket equivalent for less $$$ as Purolator filters are often onsale.

There've been rumors that Toyota has switched to 5w-20 for 2007, but these are just rumors. Let us know the recommended grade for this engine.

Again, congratulations on the car.

 

[TooSlick]

I'd run an ACEA "A5/B5" quality synthetic - Amsoil, Mobil 1/EP, etc - w/ a premium synthetic media oil filter and change both every 10,000 miles. The rest of the car will turn to rust before the engine wears out....An oil analysis taken every 10k will serve as legal proof that the oil is performing up to spec.

About the only thing that will trash one of these oils within 10k is severe contamination from coolant,dirt or excessive fuel dilution - all of which will show up in a $20.00 spectrographic analysis.

TS

 

[GoldenRod]

What viscosity does your owner's manual say? My recommendation is Chevron or Havoline every 3 months or 3 thousand miles, which ever comes first. That's right! I'm a HARDCORE OIL CHANGER. My motors stay very clean this way.

 

[Bill in Utah]

quote:

---

I'd run an ACEA "A5/B5" quality synthetic - Amsoil, Mobil 1/EP, etc - w/ a premium synthetic media oil filter and change both every 10,000 miles.

---

He can't. Period.

quote:

---

An oil analysis taken every 10k will serve as legal proof that the oil is performing up to spec.

---

Hmm, So $5 for a quart of oil (so about $20-$25) and $10 for a filter plus $20 for a UOA and the IF he has problems, He can pay for the Lawyer he WILL need.

Or, go with a jug of $10 oil, A $4 filter every 5k and no worries.

His warrenty is for 60k miles or 5 years. So no more than 5k or 6mo on a OCI.

Bill

PS:

quote:

---

The rest of the car will turn to rust before the engine wears out....

---

My 1982 Toyota truck, 1986 VW jetta is still going down the road with 200+k miles and very little rust.. And they salt here like no ones business...

 

[ekpolk]

quote:

---

Originally posted by kenny1773:
In order to keep your warranty intact, you will have to change every 5000 miles up to the first 60k miles (unless Toyota changed that for 07, my 05 requires 5K OCI's).

(...snip...)

---

Kenny, I'll totally agree that it's wise to stick with the recommended OCI during the wty period. It is not, however, necessary to do to keep one's wty "intact". US new car wyts are strictly governed by federal law (Moss-Magnuson Warranty Act). Manufacturer documents can say whatever they want, but they're without effect if they contradict the MMWA. Under the MMWA, if the mfr wants to deny a claim, they bear the burden of proving that the owner's actions (or failures to act) caused the claimed damage. Merely saying "sorry, you're outta luck since you can't produce oil change receipts" won't meet their burden. OTOH, if they can show that sludge caused a failure, then they win. Even if that's the case, though, if your transmission also failed because of a faulty part, your wty is still in full force, and they must pay for that.

Be cautious about so-called "extended wtys" sold by dealers or 3rd parties. The MMWA does not apply to them, and state law may vary. If an ext wty says you must change oil every x miles or y months, then not doing so may jeopardize all future claims.

[ April 03, 2006, 09:32 PM: Message edited by: ekpolk ]

 

[ekpolk]

quote:

---

Originally posted by GROUCHO MARX:
Bill in Utah makes sense and he doesn't sell oil.

---

Yeah, but he openly admits to having used Fram filters. Ewwwwwww. Some lifestyle choices just need to stay in the closet. . .

 

[Bill in Utah]

quote:

---

Originally posted by ekpolk:

quote:

---

Originally posted by GROUCHO MARX:
Bill in Utah makes sense and he doesn't sell oil.

---

Yeah, but he openly admits to having used Fram filters. Ewwwwwww. Some lifestyle choices just need to stay in the closet. . .

---

 

[ekpolk]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bill in Utah:
[QB] (...snip...)

An oil analysis taken every 10k will serve as legal proof that the oil is performing up to spec.

---

quote:

---

Hmm, So $5 for a quart of oil (so about $20-$25) and $10 for a filter plus $20 for a UOA and the IF he has problems, He can pay for the Lawyer he WILL need.

Or, go with a jug of $10 oil, A $4 filter every 5k and no worries.

(...snip...)

Bill

(...snip...)

---

Bill, I guess I'm a bit of a hypocrite, since I've decided to stay with 5/5 myself for the 12k or so remaining until by wty is up, but I think your analysis is too severe. If a UOA showed a problem, then presumably, he'd adjust the strategy before he got into trouble. Were I doing this for wty duration, I'd do one around the end of the recommended period to show that the oil was still good, adjusting my plan accordingly. Done logically, he can make his go/no-go decision before exceeding the recommended limits, so that would not need to worry about needing a lawyer.

 

[Pablo]

Use Group III Amsoil XL 5W-20, with API donut for complete comfort. Change at 5K or whatever the max Toyota severe service recommended interval is.

Your engine will stay very clean.

I sell oil and my name is Paul.

 

[ekpolk]

quote:

---

(...snip...)
There've been rumors that Toyota has switched to 5w-20 for 2007, but these are just rumors. Let us know the recommended grade for this engine.
(...snip...)

---

Respectfully, not rumor anymore, as far as I can tell. We've had several reports from members who've seen 07 Toyotas with the "Use 5w-20" oil caps. In addition, I just found this over on the Mobil site:

"In addition to providing benefits for hybrid engines, Mobil 1 0W-20 is ideal for use in newer cars, trucks and SUVs manufactured by Honda, Toyota, Ford, Mercury and Chrysler, where a 5W-20 motor oil is recommended. Mobil 1 0W-20 not only meets the requirements of manufacturers recommending 5W-20, but it also provides superior low-temperature protection and the exceptional performance of a fully synthetic motor oil" (emphasis added). I think Toyota's taking the plunge too!