Will Synthetic Oil Improve Mileage?

[bronsin]

Im possibly driving my Yaris to Alaska from NJ this weekend. I say possibly because I would rather take my motorcycle but am having back problems.

Anyway in any case I would like to get the best mileage possible given the price of gas. Would using snythetic oil get me any better mileage in your experience? I have seldom used it.

Thanks!

[swidd]

Even if there is a slight improvement (0.5-1MPG), it will most likely not save you more than the cost of synthetic oil and an oil change.

[Betrivent]

Synethetic oil technically lasts twice as long as conventional. So you could save the cost of an oil change and some fuel.

[djesusjay]

Well, I use Penzoil Fully Synthetic oil on my 2011 Yaris, and on twice the occasions when I get my oil changed every 4,000 miles or so, it's still kinda golden clear, not as clear as I put it in, but a little darker. :iono:

[ilikerice]

old master mech at lexus says he uses mobile1 synthetic in his f150.. he only changes his oil every 10k miles.. he showed me one day when he pulled one of his valve covers off.. all the parts still look solid. no oil build up anywhere or gunk. Had 180k miles on it. said he bought it when it had 60k. i was impressed. no engine work. just a crank seal and water pump around 120k i think.

sythetic is amazing.. if engines where fail safe where no outside debris or contaminents got into oil. all you would need to do is change your filter and add a little more to compensate for the loss of oil in the filter.

[R2D2]

If you are the type who hypermiles and keeps very close records of fuel consumption you may notice a tenth or two. I wouldn't expect a huge difference though.

R2

[bronsin]

If you are the type who hypermiles and keeps very close records of fuel consumption you may notice a tenth or two. I wouldn't expect a huge difference though.

R2

Thanks. When I get to AK I will need an oil change to come home. If I have the $$ perhaps I'll give it a tryout and report the results.


Yeah mileage there on regular. Mileage back on synth.

[Betrivent]

Yes, use Mobil 1. I tried Valvoline once and after just over half the same kilometres as mobil 1, the oil was already golden brown. At 9000+ kms with mobil 1 it's still like new.

[rningonfumes]

Oh!! You've got to journal that trip!!! I've wanted to make that road trip ever since I've seen blogs about it. If you can do it in the Yaris, I will be able to also!

[Hershey]

Not much for extra gas mileage , but it does quiet the engine some . Now using SHELL 5w-30 synthetic that's SN/GF-5 .

[p123456789]

Dont want to hijack but at what interval do you change your oil if its synthetic? I usually try to go 10k?

[ilikerice]

10k is fine with synthetic honestly.. if you are really paranoid.. just change your filter @ 5k and oil at 10k

[Hershey]

If car is under warranty must do 5,000 mile or 6 month intervals . Even if it's synthetic . I get the SHELL synthetic for $4 or less a quart , tax included . So a do it yourself oil change is $20 or a little less including a TOYOTA oil filter . Cost more than that for conventional O.C. at a dealer or elsewhere . If you do your own , make sure to keep records of when and what mileage O.C. was done along with receipts for the oils and filters used for warranty .

[bronsin]

Oh!! You've got to journal that trip!!! I've wanted to make that road trip ever since I've seen blogs about it. If you can do it in the Yaris, I will be able to also!


Yeah I was thinking of doing it here.

[ilikerice]

If car is under warranty must do 5,000 mile or 6 month intervals . Even if it's synthetic . I get the SHELL synthetic for $4 or less a quart , tax included . So a do it yourself oil change is $20 or a little less including a TOYOTA oil filter . Cost more than that for conventional O.C. at a dealer or elsewhere . If you do your own , make sure to keep records of when and what mileage O.C. was done along with receipts for the oils and filters used for warranty .

+1 this is very true.. if you change your own oil under warranty, keep your receipts no matter what oil you use. If you get gunk build up but have documented your oil changes. Toyota will pay for a replacement or breakdown and clean it out with new full gasket set, depending on how bad it is.

[fj40dave]

I have been using AMSOIL after getting the first 10K miles behind me.
The oil I use is the extended change interval stuff.....it's good for 25K miles.
I change the oil filter at 10k miles and the oil/filter every 20K miles.
I have 80K on her now. They are almost all highway miles at 65-70 mph.....I work 100 miles one way from home - but only have to drive it 4-6 times a month.

If anyone is interested, I have an AMSOIL dealership so I can get the product(s) as innexpensively as possible.....and I will do the same for you....

It's worked great for me.

[ilikerice]

You should pull your valve cover off and take a picture. I am not doubting that AMSOIL is not good stuff. But you have a good candidate to confirm thier product. I am very interested in seeing this.

[jambo101]

Thanks. When I get to AK I will need an oil change to come home. If I have the $$ perhaps I'll give it a tryout and report the results.
Yeah mileage there on regular. Mileage back on synth.

I would think if you are going from NJ to AK and back money shouldnt be an if factor.:confused:
Synth oil is a better product than regular oil but if you are changing oil every 4K miles you are wasting your money on the stuff and may as well go with conventional oil.
As for saving money? you'd do better by changing your driving style rather than changing type of oil.
Heres a tip for the trip thats guaranteed to save some gas money ==
Never exceed the speed limit..

[fj40dave]

You should pull your valve cover off and take a picture. I am not doubting that AMSOIL is not good stuff. But you have a good candidate to confirm thier product. I am very interested in seeing this.

I think that's a great idea! I just pulled the cover, took a bunch of pics, and am posting them next! Cool

[fj40dave]

2008 HB with 80K miles using AMSOIL 25K mile oil (changed every 20K - filter every 10K)

[R2D2]

Looks very clean-all I see is oil!

R2

[mazilla]

How long did it take to get the valve cover off? I've been curious as to what 250-300K(estimated since swap) has done to this engine.

[ilikerice]

I think that's a great idea! I just pulled the cover, took a bunch of pics, and am posting them next! Cool

wow.. that is impressive oil. Is AMSOIL a synthetic? Thanks for those pictures. This is good evidence.

Is it too much to ask to pull a rod bearing off now? :laugh:

Should start a thread "whats under your valve cover" and have a list:

-Miles on car
-What oil brand used
-what interval maintinence used (3k, 5k, 10k)

This could be a stick too maybe?

[fj40dave]

You're welcome.....anytime.

AMSOIL is full synthetic....I really like the stuff.

[fj40dave]

How long did it take to get the valve cover off? I've been curious as to what 250-300K(estimated since swap) has done to this engine.

20 minutes.....it's actually pretty easy!

If you have a slight mechanical aptitude, it's going to be a "no-brainer".
(that's why it took me longer than most I think) :biggrin:

[mazilla]

20 minutes.....it's actually pretty easy!

If you have a slight mechanical aptitude, it's going to be a "no-brainer".
(that's why it took me longer than most I think) :biggrin:


It won't be a problem, I just wanted to paint the valve cover but didn't want to invest more than an hour into the project. I just found a gasket kit for 12.99 at the local parts store,probably gonna knock this out tonight.

[Hershey]

Very impressive . Thanks .

[R2D2]

I have been changing my friends oil with Amsoil for years. He is on his 3rd vehicle that has gone 200k with 25k+ oil changes. He drives about 50k a year so that's still two changes a year, lol.

What has really impressed me is how little oil his cars have used between changes (GM V6s). He rarely has added more than a quart in 25-27k mi.

[mazilla]

Here's mine...maybe we should start a thread.

Mileage - Approx 275,000 on the engine(460K+ on the rest)

Oil - **UPDATE** THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY USED WHATEVER 20W50 WAS ON SALE. He also got a very serious look on his face when I told him I went back to 5w30...he suggested I switch back to 20w50 next change. He's probably right, they were running upwards of 500 miles per day 5 days a week on the 20 or so Yaris liftbacks & 20 or so Echos they had. I didn't find one that had less than 395k on the odo.

Oil change interval - Every 3,000 miles(in this case every Sunday) while it was a company vehicle. I continue to change it every 3,000 miles. ** Today happened to be oil change day, I did a Mobil1 change this morning...there are about 10 miles on that oil.


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/mr-mazilla/IMG_8468.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/mr-mazilla/IMG_8470.jpg

[fj40dave]

Mazilla:

Good job....that's pretty awesome that the motor has that many miles on it and had economy oil changes. I bet it likes the Mobil 1 stuff now!

If I didn't have the plastic cover - I might paint the valve cover....is your's off?

[Hershey]

Lookin' very good :thumbsup: . I take it that conventional oils were used . If so , even more impressive . The use of synthetics could help clean it a bit more . Thanks for taking the time .

[rningonfumes]

For those of you who took off the cover, you don't need a new gasket to put it back on? I've been curious, but did not want to deal with the gasket.

They look gooood by the way!

[ilikerice]

For those of you who took off the cover, you don't need a new gasket to put it back on? I've been curious, but did not want to deal with the gasket.

They look gooood by the way!

Depends on how old the gasket is. If you pull it off and its hard, replace it. You should be able to roll it up in a ball in your hands and still be fairly flexible.

Valve cover gaskets are farily cheap, 20 bucks usually from felpro. If you pull your valve cover off, your still going to have to deal with the gasket anyways putting it back on.

[mazilla]

For those of you who took off the cover, you don't need a new gasket to put it back on? I've been curious, but did not want to deal with the gasket.

They look gooood by the way!


Felpro gasket kit was 12.99 at the local O'reily autopart store. The gasket fits inside a grove so their not the typical pain in the arse slippery kind. The kit comes with a few more gaskets as well, spark plug well(whatever you call it) and gaskets for the two bolts in the center of the cover.

[mazilla]

Mazilla:

Good job....that's pretty awesome that the motor has that many miles on it and had economy oil changes. I bet it likes the Mobil 1 stuff now!

If I didn't have the plastic cover - I might paint the valve cover....is your's off?



No, it's also painted to match. Here's the valve cover as of this morning. The ammo tumbler in the back is polishing the valve cover bolts(takes about 15 hours).

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/mr-mazilla/IMG_8474.jpg

[TOUGEghost]

Not my Yaris, but this is 175,000 miles with Royal Purple:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/redhotridur/175k.jpg

Not really sure on the mileage interval but the oil got changed whenever it looked dirty.

[TOLMACH]

Based on what I read and see above, Yaris has a very reliable engine .. (Which is good cause I plan buying one).. It also seems to have timing chain rather than timing belt which I also like

[DMZ]

Based on what I read and see above, Yaris has a very reliable engine .. (Which is good cause I plan buying one).. It also seems to have timing chain rather than timing belt which I also like

Yes, the Yaris has a reputation as being one of the most trouble free cars available. And yes, no timing belt.

Winters in Moscow probably call for a synthetic oil?

[TOLMACH]

Yes, the Yaris has a reputation as being one of the most trouble free cars available. And yes, no timing belt.

Winters in Moscow probably call for a synthetic oil?

Thanks

Winters in Moscow are relatively mild compared to my hometown in Eastern Russia )) Also, from a standpoint of winter-operation, is there a difference in mineral vs synthetic engine oil if both are rated as f.i. 5W40? :confused:

I switched to synthetic oils something like 5 years ago for all cars I had since that time .. cause I heard they keep engine clean better

[DMZ]

Thanks

Winters in Moscow are relatively mild compared to my hometown in Eastern Russia )) Also, from a standpoint of winter-operation, is there a difference in mineral vs synthetic engine oil if both are rated as f.i. 5W40? :confused:

I switched to synthetic oils something like 5 years ago for all cars I had since that time .. cause I heard they keep engine clean better

Synthetic oil have been shown to have better low temperature viscosity performance when compared to mineral (dino based) oils. Therefore, they tend to give much better lubrication during cold temperature start-ups. This results in longer engine life as it is during cold starts that engines parts can incur significant wear.

[dferguson2]

I have been running Mobile 1 5w20 in all my japanese cars for the last 6 years. My 06 CRV has 212k on it and is very quiet, runs like new,no problems. I am running it in my 08 Yaris Sedan and I change both of these every 10k. I am a Fram filter believer, no matter what any body says, the "extra" fram filters are great. I am getting over 30mpg in the CRV and 35/42 in the Yaris.

[TOLMACH]

Synthetic oil have been shown to have better low temperature viscosity performance when compared to mineral (dino based) oils. Therefore, they tend to give much better lubrication during cold temperature start-ups. This results in longer engine life as it is during cold starts that engines parts can incur significant wear.

Thanks