whats the *best* oil to use?
Originally Posted by Patman
It won't last 25,000 miles in an LS1, but under ideal conditions in some other types of vehicles it can. It's never wise to try that kind of oil change interval without doing oil analysis though. A lot of engines simply beat up the oil too much for it to go 25k (such as the Toyota 3.0 V6 which will turn dino oil into sludge by 4000 miles)
People think cause its 2004 and a Toyota it should be able to change the oil itself! Course Toyota has now employed the maintanace light for 2004 vehicles.
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Originally Posted by Lswonder
im only gonna run mine for 15,000 with it
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Originally Posted by fullfloatingHD
4000 miles is slightly exagerated, but they do sludge easy when not maintained,
Originally Posted by Patman
Dan, I do prefer synthetics, however if someone wants to save money there are some good choices in dinos or blends. I like Castrol GTX 10w40, or Pennzoil 10w40. Also, the high mileage oils are pretty good too, such as GTX HM or Pennzoil HM. Castrol Syntec Blend 10w30 is also pretty good. Stay away from 5w30 dino oils, they thin out far too easily.
Patman, as an aside, is there ANY info that can ge gleamed by how the oil looks when it's drained, i.e. if it's blacker than "X" oil with the same amount of miles, engine, etc
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Originally Posted by Tiger2o69
oil being as easy as it is to change and cheap also. Why would anyone take that kind of chance with 15000 miles?
Originally Posted by Patman
True, it's a slight exageration there, as not all conditions will cause it to sludge up that fast, but it's not uncommon either. Under certain conditions a Toyota 3.0 V6 can easily sludge up it's oil in 4000 miles. Even with a good synthetic they can sludge up. Someone tried running Amsoil for 25k in their Toyota and only made it to 17k before the oil sludged up so badly that the motor blew. It's not the oil's fault, these engines simply chew up the oil. It's especially bad in the Sienna, where it's engine location (under the front seats) makes it run hotter.
cowl, and yes for many factors the 1MZ-FE is hard on oil. However I have never seen a well maintained V6 toyota get a sludge engine, most sludge motors have a jiffy lube filter on them. But don't worry Toyota has made a "special policy adjustment" for sludge issue that give the motor some intergalactic extended warranty like 10 years 100,000 miles mind you this isn't like the warrantys you get at mitsubishi or dodge, this warranty has no duductable. Count on toyota to give the biggest warranty ever, I just did a warranty muffler on an 86 corolla last week 
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Originally Posted by CANNIBAL
I run the Castrol GTX 10w40, changed every 3500 miles. It's really good stuff.
Patman, as an aside, is there ANY info that can ge gleamed by how the oil looks when it's drained, i.e. if it's blacker than "X" oil with the same amount of miles, engine, etc
Patman, as an aside, is there ANY info that can ge gleamed by how the oil looks when it's drained, i.e. if it's blacker than "X" oil with the same amount of miles, engine, etc
As to the question about how long GC 0w30 can go for, I'm not entirely sure but I've run it as long as 6200 miles in my car, and 6900 miles in my sister's old Civic and in both cases it showed a lot of life left in it. In a good engine I see no problem with it going well beyond 10,000 miles.
Originally Posted by fullfloatingHD
The engine isn't under the seats its front engines (the belated previa was under the front seats) The siennas engine is tucked under a cowl, and yes for many factors the 1MZ-FE is hard on oil. However I have never seen a well maintained V6 toyota get a sludge engine, most sludge motors have a jiffy lube filter on them. But don't worry Toyota has made a "special policy adjustment" for sludge issue that give the motor some intergalactic extended warranty like 10 years 100,000 miles mind you this isn't like the warrantys you get at mitsubishi or dodge, this warranty has no duductable. Count on toyota to give the biggest warranty ever, I just did a warranty muffler on an 86 corolla last week no other company has a warranty like toyota.
cowl, and yes for many factors the 1MZ-FE is hard on oil. However I have never seen a well maintained V6 toyota get a sludge engine, most sludge motors have a jiffy lube filter on them. But don't worry Toyota has made a "special policy adjustment" for sludge issue that give the motor some intergalactic extended warranty like 10 years 100,000 miles mind you this isn't like the warrantys you get at mitsubishi or dodge, this warranty has no duductable. Count on toyota to give the biggest warranty ever, I just did a warranty muffler on an 86 corolla last week no other company has a warranty like toyota.
Ill tell you a story about the case of engine abuse Ive ever seen. A 1992 Chevy pickup used by a salesman. We worked on the truck only when it broke down. Get this the owner would simply add oil when low, NEVER changed the oil!!! He also used whatever 10w-30 dino he found at the local gas stations and would add oil every few tanks of gas. Various brands Im sure. 
The truck ran to 129,000 miles before the oil screen plugged and it threw a rod on the tired EFI 350. The oil was simply dirty, filthy!! The truck also had NEVER saw a spark plug change.... Moral of the story: Regular change intervals matter more than the type of oil...Synthetic oils are great overkill anyway. Pick one fill her up and forget about it... I prefer Mobil 1, my oil recommendation involves the experience of a 180,000 EFI 350 and a 115,000 mile Ls1. I now use the same 10W-30 M1 in my Ls6, cant go wrong with M1 IMHO.... 
The truck ran to 129,000 miles before the oil screen plugged and it threw a rod on the tired EFI 350. The oil was simply dirty, filthy!! The truck also had NEVER saw a spark plug change.... Moral of the story: Regular change intervals matter more than the type of oil...Synthetic oils are great overkill anyway. Pick one fill her up and forget about it... I prefer Mobil 1, my oil recommendation involves the experience of a 180,000 EFI 350 and a 115,000 mile Ls1. I now use the same 10W-30 M1 in my Ls6, cant go wrong with M1 IMHO.... Last edited by cantdrv65; Jun 14, 2004 at 11:25 AM.
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Originally Posted by cantdrv65
Ill tell you a story about the case of engine abuse Ive ever seen. A 1992 Chevy pickup used by a salesman. We worked on the truck only when it broke down. Get this the owner would simply add oil when low, NEVER changed the oil!!! He also used whatever 10w-30 dino he found at the local gas stations and would add oil every few tanks of gas. Various brands Im sure. The truck ran to 129,000 miles before the oil screen plugged and it threw a rod on the tired EFI 350. The oil was simply dirty, filthy!! The truck also had NEVER saw a spark plug change.... Moral of the story: You can overanalyze the use of an engine oil...I prefer Mobil 1, my oil recommendation involves the experience of a 180,000 EFI 350 and a 115,000 mile Ls1. I now use the same 10W-30 M1 in my Ls6, cant go wrong with M1 IMHO....
The truck ran to 129,000 miles before the oil screen plugged and it threw a rod on the tired EFI 350. The oil was simply dirty, filthy!! The truck also had NEVER saw a spark plug change.... Moral of the story: You can overanalyze the use of an engine oil...I prefer Mobil 1, my oil recommendation involves the experience of a 180,000 EFI 350 and a 115,000 mile Ls1. I now use the same 10W-30 M1 in my Ls6, cant go wrong with M1 IMHO.... Runs about 35 psi at idle in my Z06....cold idle a little more around 40....From my experience most engine wear, spun bearings in the Ls1 happens when they are run hard LOW on oil. Low in an Ls1 is 1.5 to 2 quarts low and can happen quickly depending on oil usage problems....Got lucky with my current Ls6 no oil usage problems.....
Originally Posted by cantdrv65
I had a Toyota Junkolara with the 3.0 V6. It was a total lemon. Never own another Toyota. Also Toyota service and warranty was an expensive joke.
Last edited by fullfloatingHD; Jun 14, 2004 at 01:32 PM.
Originally Posted by cantdrv65
Runs about 35 psi at idle in my Z06....cold idle a little more around 40....From my experience most engine wear, spun bearings in the Ls1 happens when they are run hard LOW on oil. Low in an Ls1 is 1.5 to 2 quarts low and can happen quickly depending on oil usage problems....Got lucky with my current Ls6 no oil usage problems.....
Originally Posted by fullfloatingHD
Thats 40 at WOT? or is that what the pressure sensor is reading on the dash, spec is 6psi oil pressure at idle.
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Hey patman whats the deal with mobile 1's 15w 50 with the red top??? Supposedly it for high performance. Whats your take on this? I know the 15w will not flow that well in cold weather but i live in texas and it summertime,
