*shrug* I run 5w30 conventional all year round in my 97 with 282k and no leaks. IMO synthetic is a benefit with tight tolerance, high heat or extended drain invervals. If you are changing every 3000 and aren't running forced induction it just feels like money wasted.
Ran 20W50 in Central America w/o a problem, probably the right oil for that climate. But I think I was running 5W30 all the way from MN to Oaxaca and the truck didn't die, so...
Previous owner used 10W40 and changed it every 5k, so I do the same. This is a 3FE, with nearly >350k on it and it still runs fine. Currently running the Castrol 10W40 synthetic and I'm pleased with it so far, not that I would trust "seat of the pants" improvements much anyway.
I was all about that filter and ran a couple, then eventually started noticing a startup rattle when it sits overnight.. I traced it to the drainback valve in the 51515XP not working correctly. Even switched to a brand new one. Let the truck sit overnight: bad rattle. Went to the small-case toyota filter: rattle gone.
