Conventional VS Synthetic Oil

2009 TOYOTA TACOMA
188,000 MILES • 2.7L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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BLUEBIRD981
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I bought this truck used a few years ago, and don't know if the previous owner used conventional or synthetic oil. I started using conventional since I'd heard changing to synthetic since it had over 50,000 miles may cause leaks. Is this really a concern? Is synthetic going to protect my engine better than conventional? I now drive fifty miles a day 5 days a week, mostly on the interstate at 75 MPH. I have the oil changed every 3,000 miles. Should I stay with conventional, or should I change to synthetic (without leaks)?
Mar 15, 2022 at 9:53 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Changing really shouldn't cause a leak. The theory behind that is that the molecular structure of the oil is refined allowing it to leak easier because it can penetrate smaller openings. Can that happen? I guess it could, but it's unlikely.

Your truck can use either 0w20 (which is only available in a synthetic) or 5w20 which you can get in conventional.

Here is what I suggest: Conventional oil will take care of the engine's needs. If, however, you live in an area with extreme heat or cold, the synthetic would be a better choice simply because the way it's designed allows it to lubricate quicker on start-up.

If you are worried about changing from conventional to synthetic, go one step at a time. Try using a synthetic blend for a few oil changes and then if there are no issues, move to the synthetic. One other thought. As long as you change it every 3K and make sure it remains full, you should have no issues. A good friend of mine had an 06 and used a blend. He sold the truck with over 400K on it, and it still ran good.

I don't know if you do it yourself, but here is a link that explains in general how to change oil and filter:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-engine-oil-and-filter

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

Mar 15, 2022 at 7:55 PM
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BLUEBIRD981
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Hello Joe,

As I live in central Florida, cold isn't an issue, but summers can be brutal. I used to change my oil, but as I've gotten older, it's difficult, so I have changed it at a shop. In the past I used Castrol High Mileage oil, but shops don't offer it. Would it be better to find a shop that offers high mileage rather than standard oil? Thanks again for your help.
Mar 16, 2022 at 6:57 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

With 180,000 on the engine, it wouldn't be a bad idea to use the high mileage oil. I believe most of them are semi-synthetic. I know Valvoline offers a high mileage oil. I believe it's called max-life. We have had no issues using it. It does come in both a semi-synthetic and a full synthetic. IF you wanted to change to full synthetic, that would be a good crossroad for the change.

Let me know if I can help.

Take care,

Joe
Mar 16, 2022 at 3:52 PM