Two questions from a newbie...

[hate2work]

I just picked up an 06 Tacoma with 13K miles on the 2.7L 4 cyl engine.

I took the VIN to the local Toyo dealer and they told me the first owner had the oil and filter changed at 3K miles at the dealership, then just bought filters and said he would do it himself.

The oil looks clean and right up to the full mark.

My first question...How important is it for me to continue using the same oil the first owner was? I have no idea how to find that out, I bought the truck at another local dealership.

Second question...Is there an index or glossary somewhere on this forum that tells readers what all the acronyms used here stand for?

TIA~

 

[vranasaurus]

It's really not important to continue using the same oil.

Find an oil that meets the specifications required of your truck that you are comfortable with and use it. Many here use whatever is on sale while others stick to a particular oil.

 

[Hermann]

The glossary can be found under the Forums tab at the top of this page. Then go to General Board Info, it is down about 6 lines on that list.

Hope this helps.

 

[ThirdeYe]

You don't have to use what the previous owner used -- use what makes you happy/comfortable.

Change it at least every 5k miles to uphold the warranty. I could be wrong (someone correct me if I am), but I think that truck uses 5w30 and not 5W-20 like most other Toyota engines. So, if I were you, I would use any API SM rated 5w30 and run it to 5,000 miles and sleep easy at night.

Those trucks are fantastic, one of my friends has one after I recommended it to him back in 2005 (he got a 2006 model) and he hasn't had a single problem with it yet.

 

[drivewaytech]

to the family. Enjoy learning and posting. The advise given above is solid. Stick to name brand oil with a SM, GF-4 rating and enjoy your ride. Glad to have you aboard.

 

[Hermann]

Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
I could be wrong (someone correct me if I am), but I think that truck uses 5w30 and not 5W-20 like most other Toyota engines. So, if I were you, I would use any API SM rated 5w30 and run it to 5,000 miles and sleep easy at night.


My 2008 is speced for 0w-20 or 5w-20. I put 5w30 in at 3K and my mileage immediately went down 1-2 MPG. I am going back to 5w-20 on my next change.

 

[Vincent_Vega]

Lots of info and some really informative characters around here. Try checking you owners manual for grade of oil and OCI. Also check out the site sponsor link as there are many great products sold from members here.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: Hermann
Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
I could be wrong (someone correct me if I am), but I think that truck uses 5w30 and not 5W-20 like most other Toyota engines. So, if I were you, I would use any API SM rated 5w30 and run it to 5,000 miles and sleep easy at night.


My 2008 is speced for 0w-20 or 5w-20. I put 5w30 in at 3K and my mileage immediately went down 1-2 MPG. I am going back to 5w-20 on my next change.


My owner's manual says to use 5w30, and my local dealership here in Washington tells me they use the 5w30 Castrol synthetic blend. Unless someone here tells me otherwise, that's what I'll probably use as well.

 

[Footpounds]

Congrats on your new truck. I think you'll love that engine. They are pretty much "bullet-proof". I have the '02 version of your engine and have been using Mobil 1 10W-30 since it was a pup.

 

[Vincent_Vega]

If you are going to use OTC synthetic then I would use Penn Platinum. Its always on sale somewhere and is very highly thought of on this board. Or you can go the Amsoil route if you want to extend you OCI. Contact Pablo or one of the site sponsors for details.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

You can use either viscosity. See what performs best for you but 5w20 should not cause any issues seeing how the engine is currently specced for 5w20.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
You can use either viscosity. See what performs best for you but 5w20 should not cause any issues seeing how the engine is currently specced for 5w20.


yes. Don't consider using a light weight oil like a 0w-10 ...regardless of what you see or hear here. You need a more robust and fortified oil like a 5w-20 if you intend to own it for a long time.

and

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
You can use either viscosity. See what performs best for you but 5w20 should not cause any issues seeing how the engine is currently specced for 5w20.


yes. Don't consider using a light weight oil like a 0w-10 ...regardless of what you see or hear here. You need a more robust and fortified oil like a 5w-20 if you intend to own it for a long time.

and

Are you both telling me to use 5w 20 instead of the factory reccomended 5w 30?

Bryan, why do you say my engine is currently specced for 5w 20?

Thanks guys for your answers and the education

 

[ThirdeYe]

I would just use what your owner's manual says, even if other years were specified for 5W-20, I don't believe yours was. Amsoil's recommendation guide also says 5w30 for your year of the Tacoma. Castrol Syntec Blend is a good oil, and should serve you well. Sounds like a plan to me!

 

[Bryanccfshr]

You Have a 2TRFE

I have run 5w20 Wt in my 2006 1GRFE. And have had no issues. (note current fill excepted as I was tired of looking at it in my stash).
You can run either and I encourage you to expiriment within your comfort level.

 

[hate2work]

OK, I get it, this TSB is telling us that we have the OPTION of running that lower viscosity oil

So tell me about oil filters, I was planning on using the OEM one from the dealer, about $7.

 

[vranasaurus]

Quote:
I have run 5w20 Wt in my 2006 1GRFE. And have had no issues. (note current fill excepted as I was tired of looking at it in my stash).
You can run either and I encourage you to expiriment within your comfort level.



Will running 5w30 in the listed engines do any damage? I can't imagine it would since that is what they were spec'd for out of the factory.

I ask because I have been using 5w30 in my wife's 2006 scion XA (NZ series I believe).

 

[vranasaurus]

Quote:
OK, I get it, this TSB is telling us that we have the OPTION of running that lower viscosity oil

So tell me about oil filters, I was planning on using the OEM one from the dealer, about $7.


The consensus here is to stay away from frams. You can get better quality for the same price or a little more.

I would look at purolators (Bosch is made by them too), pep boys has a 2/$6 special, or wix (napa gold) Fleetfilter.com has real good prices on the napa gold but because of shipping it pays to buy in bulk, plus you get 15% off if you buy $125 or more which just about covers shipping. Mobil 1 and K&N are also good filters but they are a bit more expensive.

I just ordered 17 oil filters and 8 air filters(napa gold), from fleetfilter.com for two of our cars for [censored] near half the price I would have had to pay at NAPA.

Amsoil filters are probably pretty good too but are real expensive and I'm not sure you get the value out of them if you aren't doing extended OCI's.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

hate2work, Toyota filters are an outstanding quality filter, but look online, you may find a better price. Other quality filters include Wix/Napa Gold etc.

vranasaurus, Nope 5w30 won't cause any negative effects either...to be honest the differnce between the two is minimal. THe 5w20 will be thinner throughout the warmup phase thus it can provide some effeiciency gains in this phase.

As I state, I use 5w20 and 5w30 interchangeably in my Toyota engine. next fill will be Motorcraft 5w20 for my tacoma
.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
Amsoil filters are probably pretty good too but are real expensive and I'm not sure you get the value out of them if you aren't doing extended OCI's.


Yes. An EaO is a hard sell if you're not (at least) willing to do extended filter changes even if you're following shorter oil sump changes. That goes for any filter. If you're renewing the sump on a 3-5k basis AND insist on changing the filter every time, then there's not much payback in terms of cost:benefit from expensive filters. The view can be altered by total annual mileage. Someone doing 8k a year with 6m/5k recommended changes vs. someone doing 15k+/year doing 5k changes.

For those who aren't into the ultimate spin-on, I'd put the PureOne at the top of the OTC filters in terms of filtering performance, while I'll put WIX at the top for construction with a minor for filtration performance. You jump large in costs to break out of this level of filtration.