For oil changes in a Corolla, should I pay the extra $$$ for synthetic motor oil?

Answer 1

If synthetic has never been used in your vehicle then don't waste your money. If you have higher mileage, over 100,000, I suggest you use Castrol High mileage 10 w 40. Stay away from the cheaper oils. Change your oil every 3,000 miles - Toyota did have a problem w/ sludge build-up for a few years.

Answer 2

It definitely is worth it. You save on the number of oil changes because of its longer life. It better protects your engine and has better performance in general. All synthetics are not equal, however, and Mobil 1, Castol Syntec and a few of the other leaders rank best over other brands. There is a new offering by Valvoline that appears promising. As for the engine wear comment, the viscosity of the synthetic oil is exactly what appears on the bottle, the same as a conventional oil of the same weight. Many years ago synthetics that relied on graphite tended to pass the carbon ring in cylinders and cause compression loss in older, worn engines. That was a long time ago and engine technology has come a long way. While I might not make the change in a 1963 Triumph without rebuilding the engine first, it should not be an issue with contemporary cars and trucks.

Answer 3

Nope. Changing your oil is not based on the mileage it is based on the fact it should be changed often because of the dirt entering the engine because it finds it's way through the filters. Dirt gets past the air and oil filter. Synthetic oil does not eliminate dirt from the engine's oil pan. Do not listen to the idiot in the first post. A cheap Corolla is not a car in need of pampering. Synthetic oil is alot of hype. If you are using or leaking oil you need to focus attention on other mechanical issues. Oil does not eliminate dirt even if it is synthetic. Synthetic oils were designed to not break down or lose viscosity on high revving engines in extreme heat. Synthetic oil is overkill for a Corolla. Use it on your Indy car. For the above post. You use a lighter oil in Winter and a heavier oil in the warmer seasons. duhhh. Would you wait 7500 miles to change the oil in a dusty environment like the desert? No. So you change the oil based on having an idea how much dirt is getting in the engine not the type of oil. I have had cars run over 200,000 miles using regular oil. Why would I suddenly need synthetic? No performance difference whatsoever. Synthetic oil is not a product you are going to see a difference in even though the companies want to sell you a more expensive product. They show you specifications that are minimally better. You are just getting double f__cked as usual. Did you guys buy one of those metal things to put in your air filter to double the mileage too??? People flock to gimmicks and are quick to part with their money. How do you want it this month? Sideways?

Answer 4

Synthetics cause less sludge build up, and help the car a lot in cold weather starts, possibly furthering engine life. In a Corolla it's been noted that sometimes synthetics give you an extra MPG also (if you normally get 30-35, you might get 31-36.)

Answer 5

No stick with the regular oil. 5W-30should be fine. Synthetic is good if you have an engine that runs hot like a turbo and synthetic does last almost twice as long but it's not worth the extra cost. Stick withe the service recommendations in the owners manual and you can't go wrong.

Answer 6

Louis got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
A 5w-30 would benefit you in particular for the following reasons are far superior to regular oil:
#1.Synthetics flow faster at low temperatures.
#2. " Surperior detrergent additive package keeping the engine cleaner.
#3. " Surperior extreme pressure (EP) additives to prevent cam wear, lifter galling, bearing wear, piston and ring wear, cylinder bore wear, valve guide wear,
#4. " Cools the engine faster and more efficiently.
#5. " Flash point is 20 - 30 degrees higher.
#6. " Does not out-gas as much as regular oil leading to more polution.

Every NASCAR Craftsman Truck, Bush Series and Nextel Cup Series car engine has Synthetic lubrication in their crankcase, transmission and ring and pinion gears.

I own a Toyota Camry with the little 4 cylinder motor. When I purchaced it I heard of the sludging scare in Toyota's engines so I chose Mobil 1 5w-30 motor oil for all the above reasons. At 32,000 miles our Toyota's engine is as clean as a hospital operating room. I also wanted the best lubrication I could find because of the relatively small motor hauling around a 3,300 pound car in hot summer and cold winter start-ups.

Answer 7

synthetic oil breaks down slower than normal oil. I have always been told that synthetic is great but do not change the oil change intervals recommended by the manufacterer. Acura puts only Mobil 1 now in all their new cars. I do not think a major manufacterer would pay extra for it if it were not better!

Answer 8

Actually you should use a 50/50 oil.
It is 50% Reg. oil, and 50% Synt. - the upside is when your doing a short drive where you are constintley stop-go,

But its also good to have the Synt. side for long trips.

Answer 9

i would, I use the synthetic in my truck and car. The oil stays thinner in the cold which means it will flow faster and get the parts lubed sooner. Plus the oil doeesn't burn and turn black as soon as the regular oil. You pay for what you get and it isn't that much more money to get the best.

Answer 10

NO.
Regular oil has been working for over 100 years why switch.
Synthetic is good for highreving or big HP motors.