DIY Oil Changes...easy or hard? Worth the hassle?

Thanks for the info. That's about what I guessed. I'm retired with little to do so I suppose I'll go.

 

Also happened to me in Portugal. So very true, the dealer doesn't care for your (our) engine as customers. Quite unfair...

 

is the Penzoil and the Mobile 1 oil as good as the Toyota oil ?

 

I've gone to the Jiffy lube places with my own oil and filter. They do the labor, I supervise the fill. I get my own oil and a $10 discount. I know it is done right and my hands are clean.

 

A parts person at a Toyota dealer told me that Toyota synthetic oil is made by Mobil. I can not verify the truth in that. Just passing along what he told me. I certainly would not be afraid to use Mobil l.

 

Deleted

(I'm repeating myself )

 

Mobil1 is not the Toyota oil, and actually had its spec downgraded a couple of years ago. Now it is just making the company money based on its old brand recognition.

Oil is best chosen by spec: 0w-20, ACEA A5, and ILSAC 4. Mobil does have an oil that almost meets this spec but the name escapes me. I usually end up buying the Pennzoil Ultra because it only costs about $25 for 5 quarts at Walmart, and lately has had a promotion as well that brings the cost down to around $2 -3 a quart.

 

0W-20 Synthetic Oil | Mobil 1™ 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy

 

Yep, that's the one. It is ACEA A1, but not A5. The ACEA nomenclature is a mess.
In terms of performance, A2/3/4 < A1 < A5

 

...it's hard for the consumer to answer the question because we are not privy to extensive lab testing etc and seems to me they are always adjusting the formulations so any answer is soon outdated. You can look at specs and many feel the Toyota is among the best. For example, the Toyota stuff seems to have superior low temperature low viscosity so that's good for the start-up period where we need to get the oil moving. I go with Mobil-1 which is $22.xx for 5 quarts at Walmart...if Walmart had the Toyota I'd be tempted to go with that but they don't so there you have it.

You can look for ACEA A5/B5 rating but at least in USA that's a rare rating in 20 weight. Gen2 we can get A5/B5 in the 30 weight.

 

This is the Pennzoil Ultra Specs. Available at Walmart

 

This is a cool tool to compare oils and specs:
dataStack

From the tool, looking at ACEA A1 and A5, and ILSAC GF5
The colors are misleading. GF5 improves fuel economy and oxidative thickening
Note the after treatment compatibility

 

Haven't seen the 0W20 Pennzoil Natural gas oil at Walmart. Mine has 5W-30, 10W-30. Hopefully we'll see it soon as I'd love some AND the gasoline discount coupon. Incidentally, my coupon on 5W-30 says the offer end on 06/30/14. Have you used yours lately?

 

I bought the oil early July and was able to obtain the discount on fuel which is good until October.

I'm not sure why the expiration date for the promotion did not disallow my code, or if it would work today.