Best Motor Oil

Gotta trust somebody!

 

Nothing like a good oil discussion. It will be ten pages in no time, saying the same thing over and over.

 

Yes, it can get ridiculous. However, we do KNOW that dealers often rip off customers. We do KNOW that the content of a bulk system is not known to the customer, no matter what is printed on the receipt.

Because dealers cheat (and do so often), I stay away from them as much as possible.

That said, the "sealed in the box" Toyota quarts of synthetic are probably safe to purchase at the dealer. However, why would I do that when I can get it all by Amazon Prime in two days for the same or lower price?

And, finally, food for thought: Oil Quality Matters - Bulk Oil Locations Fail Standards More | Tundra Headquarters Blog

 

Why you following it??

 

in the end, we'll all keep on doing what we've been doing. except for the o/p who always has to wade through the swamp.

 

Its easy, just buy Mobil 1 oil, its been around a long time and is proven to be a great oil! Use 0W-20 or 0W-30 and change it every 5,000 miles.

 

intersting. but unfortunately, it asks more questions than it answers. and the comments read just like this thread.
i agree about dealers, but i also wonder, does toyota not care what they are using? maybe any oil will get you through warranty.
but the classic post is: i always change my own oil, so i know it's done right, and i know what's in it.
why? because we can trust exxon mobil?

 

Why would Exon/Mobil risk their reputation on selling crap? This seems pretty out there!

 

or do they just have to pay the thousands of dollars to MOM, as stated in the article?

 

Lets just all drive Tesla's and this matter will be put to bed!

 

I was buying Honda 0W20 for another vehicle I'm changing the oil on, it wasn't that much more than the Toyota 0W20 (more or less across the street), and I was getting the Honda oil filter, drain bolt washer, so hey one stop shopping. Now the Honda place is asking $9 something for theirs, and meanwhile the Toyota 0W20 is $5.91 per liter (bottled) or $4.50 (bulk). That's when I switched to Toyota oil for that car.

Really, anything that meets the specs, has a good track record, and a good price, changed regularly, you're fine.

 

No one would ever pay for a certification and not do what they were saying. That would never happen I today's world. Oh wait, what did VW do again.......

 

I would like to know why the service writers, at EVERY dealer I ever been to, always put "5 quarts" on the work order! Or if it's a V6 engine that takes 5.2 quarts, they write 6 quarts!

They tell me, "Oh, don't worry, the technician knows how much to put in." Poppycock! My cars were always overfilled. I wish I could do it myself, but since I can't I'm bringing my own bottles. (Mobi-1, Pennzoil Platinum, Toyota oil, whatever.)

And the dealer I go to doesn't even use the black bottle Toyota oil. It's Mobil or Pennzoil. How weird is that?!

 

"Poppycock!"

I saw in another thread where you said you were going to Disneyland. You must have rode the Peter Pan ride and are channeling your inner Mr. Darling .

I agree the oil changing knuckle draggers that are tasked with oil changes at dealerships if left to their own devices employ the "if some is good, more is better" approach.

But if we as customers employ a quality control step while utilizing their services, we can help ensure a predictable result. I like you use the dealership for oil changes and bring my own oil. Could I do it myself, sure but for $20 out the door and I sit in a chair 40 feet from the oil change bay and watch both oil and filter being removed and replaced, is too easy. And I don't have to lay on the garage floor, dispose of oil, etc. I just make sure I am the last one to add to the system.

 

Not really going to Disneyland. I was just telling bisco that the back of my Prius reminds me of those "Autopia" cars there.

The dealers do pretty good when I bring my own bottles of oil. It's when I get lazy, and don't bring any is when they overfill. And even if I supply the oil, they still charge me $55 to $65 for the change! There is only one dealer where you can see them working on cars... sometimes.

But even with the 1/2 quart overfills, I never had a problem with my two Camrys in 20 years. Luckily.

 

Maybe I can teach the Little Woman how to change our oil. As you can see, I can't fit under the car!

 

Good luck. I know if I tried that would end up on the couch for a night or two.

But you might be lucky like @Bill the Engineer and have a wife who would understand and support your endeavor.

$55-$65 and you bring the oil? If you are ever up in the Bay Area on a Sunday, Toyota of Vallejo is who I use. Normally it is $30 for labor and a filter, but $10 off on Sunday's of work over $30. And it's across from six flags discovery kingdom!

 

Before we started dating, my wife changed her own oil and filter every 5000 miles in her old Dodge Colt. I never got to thank my late father-in-law for teaching her that.

Bill the Engineer

 

Impressive!

The old dodge colt. A fine product made by mopar.

When I was growing up we had the Aries K, and the 600. They were definitely good cars to learn how to fix on. Always an opportunity.