Synthetic 5W-30 in my 1FZ-FE ??
- Thread starter fatrap
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Big topic, don't open that can of worms, but to answer your question (IME) if switching to the lower viscosity synthetics, some small leaks may get bigger
and you may see higher oil consumption.
FWIW a bazzion years ago we used to pull valve covers and drop oil pans just to scrape off (using a steel putty knife) the sludge that had built up
on the insides of the pans/covers. Point is, these days even non-synthetic engine oil is light years ahead of that old Jed Clampett oil (look it up).
On a side topic there's some data (my own from serial engine oil analyses and others) that a heavier than the original (US) recommended 5W-30 oil may protect the engine a bit better, particularly in an engine with high miles. And those heavier oils generally see less consumption/loss (ie: getting by the valve stem seals and/or the piston rings, and slowing down some leaks). Been discussed on the forum for years that in some other countries the suggested oil viscosities are higher (or have a broader range) in the owners manual.
Take your pick but probably more important than your choice of engine oil, IMHO, is an oil filter that won't come apart so don't skimp on that. Toyota filters are probably the safest choice.
and you may see higher oil consumption.
FWIW a bazzion years ago we used to pull valve covers and drop oil pans just to scrape off (using a steel putty knife) the sludge that had built up
on the insides of the pans/covers. Point is, these days even non-synthetic engine oil is light years ahead of that old Jed Clampett oil (look it up).
On a side topic there's some data (my own from serial engine oil analyses and others) that a heavier than the original (US) recommended 5W-30 oil may protect the engine a bit better, particularly in an engine with high miles. And those heavier oils generally see less consumption/loss (ie: getting by the valve stem seals and/or the piston rings, and slowing down some leaks). Been discussed on the forum for years that in some other countries the suggested oil viscosities are higher (or have a broader range) in the owners manual.
Take your pick but probably more important than your choice of engine oil, IMHO, is an oil filter that won't come apart so don't skimp on that. Toyota filters are probably the safest choice.
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There's much debate in the auto maintenance world about which is better protection for engines: Lower W viscosity which will flow faster at start up, or higher W viscosity which may protect better due to weight. I've never seen a definitive research answer from a lab, just mechanic opinions.
The only real scientific test you can do is to send out oil samples of your new oil choice not every engine is going to like oil brand X or oil weight X that’s for you to find out with oil analysis and to really be sure you would have to send out at least three samples from separate oil changes. I believe about 1000mi would be the shortest interval you would want to go but probably don’t exceed 2,000mi for sampling. And with the 80 being an oil thirsty girl at around 8qt that gets spendy on top of 40-50$ for analysis or what ever the price is now. Black stone sends out three oil sample kits for free I believe and you pay when you send out the sample or at least that’s how it was could’ve changed I donno.
Now that you’ve filled your mind with all that word salad I’d just run 10w30 in winter ( unless you live in a really cold place I’d maybe drop down to 5w30 ) and 10w40 in summer. Most 80 series prob don’t get daily driven so two oil changes a year usually tick that box. FWIW I just run 10w30 conventional year round.
Now that you’ve filled your mind with all that word salad I’d just run 10w30 in winter ( unless you live in a really cold place I’d maybe drop down to 5w30 ) and 10w40 in summer. Most 80 series prob don’t get daily driven so two oil changes a year usually tick that box. FWIW I just run 10w30 conventional year round.
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I only use synthetic because for some reason I can get it cheaper than conventional these days. 5W30 is a little thin for my liking but as stated these aren't picky. It's a 1FZ and if it hasn't been rebuilt yesterday then it burns and leaks oil anyway.
Thankfully mine neither uses or leaks oil... at all... then again, it's only got 155,000kms on it, and had had the oil changed religiously every 5,000km.