ok ok ok johns going to kill me for these dumb questions since i know part of his answer. if i decide to use mobil 1 on my oil change (5000 miles) which weight do i use. can my dealer do it. does it affect my warranty and finally is it an officially toyota recommended oil? ouch hurt my fingers asking so many questions so fast. fred in nashville
One Canadian (I think) dealer thinks Mobil 1 is OK... http://www.mississaugatoyota.com/pdf/03gaz...ette_fall_e.pdf
Mobil 1 will not void your warranty. Even with using synthetic, do not exceed Toyota's maintenance schedule. Failure to follow it WILL void your warranty. The dealer does mine for me. I just supply the oil, and they put it in, instead of the bulk stuff from the hose. As for the weight, Mobil 1 is available in 5w30 which is what Toyota wants in the engine, so use what they tell you.
I was at Costco the other day and saw the oil. There was two for the 5w30. One was regular, and one was "new car". I suppose we get the new car one, right?
Didn't know they had one designated "New Car". Looked it up. Looks good. Here's the URL to the Mobil 1 5w-30 New Car SuperSyn oil site: http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS...obil1_5W-30.asp I like to bring my own synthetic for oil changes for the following reasons: 1) Improved gas mileage (my Audi improved 1 mpg when I started using it with that car). 2) I trust a good full synthetic to not deteriate in any manner over 5,000 miles. 3) If I bring my own oil (4 quarts), I know that they won't overfill by any more than 0.1 quarts of oil (Our cars require 3.9 quarts whenever a new filter is installed (should also be replaced every 5,000 miles).
Be careful that you get full synthetic if you want full synthetic. Some of that Mobil 1 stuff may be a mixture...
Oh, I never noticed that they may be a mixture. I only have about 600 miles on the car, so I don't have to worry about Oil for a while.
Huh? Mobil 1 is a trademark name and available in only one form - fully synthetic. However, the new car/used car designations used by Mobil 1 in their latest campaign are adding nothing but confusion to their product. It is still one of the few OEM oils used in the automotive and marine industry, and has a long history of being a good product. Including in jet engines.
boy that site that mike paul put out is really a great toyota site. very interesting. im getting the impression that when i do the oil change that 5w30 will be the way to go.
I have a strong 'impression' of seeing a blend designation on a Mobil 1 bottle at AutoZone. If I'm wrong, at least I didn't send someone off a cliff... (I wonder why SpellCheck will learn 'AutoZone' but not "I'm"?...)
There is a Mobile Syntech you may have seen--it's their blend...the "Syn" part makes you wanna think it's a full synthetic, but it's not. Perhaps that's what gave you that false impression.
Not really sure what product name MOBILE SYNTECH is, but if one is referring to Mobil 1, you can get all their product information at http://www.mobil1.com/index.jsp . It is of interest to note that on their Questions & answers they indicate the following: Q: Is Mobil 1 with SuperSynâ„¢ a fully synthetic motor oil? Ans: Yes, it is. To meet the demanding requirements of today's specifications (and our customers' expectations), Mobil 1 with SuperSynâ„¢ uses high-performance fluids, including polyalphaolefins (PAOs), along with a proprietary system of additives. Each Mobil 1 with SuperSynâ„¢ viscosity grade uses a unique combination of synthetic fluids and selected additives in order to tailor the viscosity grade to its specific application. Hope this qualifies the Mobil 1 composition.
Question regarding this: I'm closing in on the 5k mark, plan on going with Mobil 1 at that juncture. Since synthetic supposedly needs to be changed only 7500 miles as opposed to 5, will this threaten my warranty? I wouldn't think so, but I'd personally not push it - especially since the first 55k it's only cost of oil we're talking about. -m.
So long as you are under your warranty, It's a good idea to follow the interval. You don't want to give Toyota a reason to send you the bill if something does go awry during your warranty period. Using synthetic oil should only be viewed as having added insurance for lubricating your engine, and not as a means of reducing your maintenance. Once the car is out of it's warranty, then go ahead and extend the drain intervals if you are comfortable with it. Personally, I will not be. My intervals are already 7500 as defined by the book for my car, and I simply like the idea of having a better product in the engine. I've taken even "modern" dino juice out of a car at 3K miles, and was happy to have it out of there, based on how dark it was.
Thanks. While I'm learning a good deal about cars with interest for the first time (my neon just didn't pull me in like this one has!), I'm not too vastly interested in delving into the world of oil, as it seems to be quite a mess (pun intended). -m.
Check out this site for a long-running test of Mobile 1 and Amsoil. This guy tests a sample of oil every 3000 miles to see how the oil holds up over time. He went 18000 miles with Mobile 1, and now he's doing the same for Amsoil. I currently run Amsoil in my cars, changing them at around 8000 miles. http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories...s/oil-life.html
You may want to wait until 10,000 miles or more before you install ANY synthetic. The ICE has a very long break-in due to it's uniquely low-demand usage pattern. No tachometer to watch, but I never hear the ICE straining or sounding like it's truly winding out. Word I have on ALL engines is to be sure they're fully run in before installing synthetic; it works so well, the engine's friction surfaces may never fully "seat". The number I got from one of the few "Prius-smart" service advisors I've met was 10,000 miles. I used to distribute Slick 50. Actually a really good product, heavily used by diesel truck fleets. Oil analysis always proved it worked, saved on maintenance and oil change intervals. We never sold to new car/truck owners. Always recommended the engine have have at least 60,000 miles on it before installing Slick 50. Some food for thought. Bob
If the lubrication is so good that the surfaces never seat, then why does it matter? What bad thing will happen?
During the breakin period the friction components of your engine, especially the piston rings and valves seat themselves better thus reducing what is called "blow by" which are gases that escape from the cumbustion chamber during normal operation. Ideally, there won't be any blow by; if there is you're losing efficiency and power. A properly broken in engine will get better fuel economy as well as last longer due to more even wear on these friction components.
