Too late for Synthetic?

[dadsE36ragtop]

I have a '98 Toyota Sienna with 138k miles and considering switching to a fully synthetic oil. Any thoughts? and if so, what weight to use? doesn't use or drip now and have always used 20w-50 every 3k.

thanks!

 

[sunfire]

There is a great deal at your local AZ to help you get started.

 

[Compman1988]

20w-50! In a Toyota!!

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
dadsE36ragtop - Hello and welcome to BITOG
It may be better for you to use a more suitable viscosity mineral lubricant such as Shell's Rotella T 15w40 or Delvac 1300 15w40 instead of a synthetic

If you still wish to use a synthetic then M1 10w-40 would be a good choice

 

[Gary Allan]

I too question the need for a 20w-50 in your engine. It won't hurt anything ..but you're surely churning heavy oil for no good reason (unless you have a good reason). If you're a shorter trip type, then you really need to explore some of the lighter grades. Your trip to the pump will be less painful. It will only be exquisitely painful instead of unbearably painful. I'd suggest a 5w30 as "training weight" oil for you.

 

[VK56VD]

Stick to a quality 5w30 synthetic and reap the benefits. I suggest Pennzoil Platinum 5w30. If you want something a bit heavier try MaxLife Synthetic Blend or their full Synthetic offering.

 

[firemachine69]

Wow, that's some decently heavy stuff.

Try out some Pennzoil Platinum 5w30, it's highly recommended around here.

 

[ZZman]

Too late? No

Try a good 10-30w. Try Mobil 1 High Mileage or Extended or maybe the Valvoline Maxlife full Syn. Pennzoil Plat is another possibility.

 

[salesrep]

Not too late to switch.

 

[VK56VD]

it's never too late to switch!

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Makes for an interesting experiment.

 

[firemachine69]

This thread sounds almost like a Caltrate tv commercial...

 

[ericthepig]

dadse36ragtop,

I too have a 98 Sienna. About 150k miles. You've used a heavy weight - not recommended by Toyota - but bottom line - you have no consumption and I do - thought it was gummed rings (still not sure), then thought it was a slow leak - looks like its not (thankfully) - I think I may have solved mine by going to a 40wt oil - but I'm waiting till this fill hits the 1k mark before I claim success (will know in a few days).

If you want to go synthetic, I would go with a 5w40 (Schaeffer, Mobil 1 and Amsoil - make the top shelf 5w40s (imo) - Shell Rotella 5w40 is probably excellent as well.)

I'm now using Schaeffer 7000 15w40 - arguably one of the best 15w40s you can lay your hands on.

Good luck!

 

[Drivebelt]

Don't need synthetic for the short oil change intervals you use. Modern conventional oils have improved a lot in the last 15 years.

Since you seem to like the heavier weight oils, get one of the HDEO (heavy duty engine oils) 15w40's like Delo or Rotella. You can run these modern conventional oils 5000 miles and get synthetic like performance. Even in extreme conditions a 40 weight is plenty heavy. A 50 weight will provide basically no benefit and just produce lower gas mileage.

 

[Durango]

Originally Posted By: dadsE36ragtop
I have a '98 Toyota Sienna with 138k miles and considering switching to a fully synthetic oil. Any thoughts? and if so, what weight to use? doesn't use or drip now and have always used 20w-50 every 3k.

thanks!



I'm using Mobil 1 5w30 in my 89' Camry 4 cylinder with good results so I see no reason why you can't??? My current miles is almost 230K.

Check your owners manual to see what weight you can use. I'm sure you can try a 10w30 synthetic of your choice first time out. After that if all is well then if you want go ahead and try a 5w30.

Durango

 

[CharBaby]

Our friends, Ken and Barbie(names changed to protect the innocent!)sold their 98 Sienna in 07 with about 120,000 miles on it and only used 5W30 every 4,000 miles. About 1/2 qt loss over the OCI.
I almost fella outa of my chaira when Ia read a20afity! Madaunna', Stugazzsa, Menguia!!!

 

[CharBaby]

kekattsa!

 

[02zx9r]

Not to late to switch, but if your oci is every 3K you will be wasting the synthetic that is for sure.

You could also stick with what you have been doing for the last 138K with no drips or consumption, but maybe try a 5w30 dino and see if any consumption starts, but I doubt it

 

[va3ux]

I switched to synthetic in my 2.7L Intrepid somewhere around 110K miles (175K Km or so). It had been all dino up to that point. The car now has almost 213K miles (343K Km). And Ive been back and forth between synthetic and dino several times for ARX rinses, rinses after a solvent flush - things like that.

 

[dadsE36ragtop]

Wow, thanks and great information! That's why i joined this forum to learn what i'm doing wrong from the experts. Started with the heavy oil due to previous mechanic suggestion. Obviously not the right info.

So, lighter weight, synthetic is ok.

Now for the BMW M50 engine? a 94 with 40k on it?

Again, thanks all!