2007 Toyota 4x4 Rav4 Oil change...what kind of oil should I use?

Question

I bought the Rav brand new in March of this yr & I've reached 4800 miles. I obviously need to get my oil changed asap (which I am very soon) but I wanted to know what is the best brand of oil to use? And also should I use synthetic based or petroleum based oil? Thanks!

Answer 1

Kimmi, I chose to use Mobil1 full synthetic motor oil in my 04 Toyota Camry. Our dealer has this oil in their parts dept. The standard Toyota bottled 5W-30 (my car) is produced by Mobil but is not synthetic. I believe your car calls for 5W-20. You of course can choose any oil you want but you'll need to carry it in at the recommended oil change time.

At the time we bought the car new there was a national Toyota campaign on concerning oil sludging in all Toyota motors. At the time,Toyota was changing engines left and right. I figured a small 4 cylinder engine needed all the protection I could give it. Since we purchased the car inside the oil fill cap I can see that the top of the cylinder head is as clean as a hospital operating room. It doesn't use a drop of oil between the recommended 5,000 mile oil changes. I would very strongly suggest you get your oil changes at the Toyota dealer.

Since that time I was welcomed to inspect a few of the failed motors at the Toyota dealer. In all instances moronic owners figured it wasen't necessary to have the regular maintenance oil changes done. It truly was a sickening site for me as I'm an old maid when it comes to car care.

In your supplied maintenance book there are recommended services that will keep your Rav in fine shape for thousands of miles and years to come.

Here are other brands of motor oil I highly regard: Havoline Deposit Shield, Valvoline, Quaker State, Pennziol. These oils come form Texas. Gulf and Brad Penn come from the old Kendall Refinery in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Both of these ate top shelf also.

In any event any brand of full synthetic is a step up in all catagories. The cold pour point is 15-10 degrees lower -(easier starts in cold weather). Detergent packages are far surperior. Synthetic oil runs cooler in the crankcase. It carries away cylinder block and frictional engine heat more efficiently. It has superior anti-wear properties. The flash to fire is higher so that there will be little chance for high temp. oil loss due to evaporation.

Too many horror stories are circulating around about the ''quick stop'' oil change places ie. sloppy work and mistakes.

A couple of weeks ago someone posted on this site a recorded secret camera investigation of Quick Stop (Pennzioil) oil change servises in several California locations. Employees actually did not do the work that costomers were paying for. They were caught red handed not changing automatic transmission fluid which was charged to the customers.

Good luck with your new Toyota. I'm sure you'll treat it like a baby!

Answer 2

Mobile oil used for Rava 4

Answer 3

Read the owners manual. It will give you guidelines for viscosity and SAE specifications.

Brands don't vary like they used to. The biggest difference is the additives but NEVER use cheap generic oil. Synthetics will cost the same in the long run because they last much longer. It is all a matter of personal preference but I go with Pennzoil or Mobile. I do run synthetic in the ATV, lawn mowers, etc... because they sit more than they run. I just haven't bothered to try them in the truck or car yet. Maybe you could talk to a mechanic that overhauls (not changes brakes) engines for a living and ask how the internal parts wear with different types of lubricants.

Answer 4

2007 Toyota Rav

Answer 5

Toyota recommends OW-20 and 5W-20 Synthetic for best mileage and wear. I would recommend Mobil 1
or Amsoil, as the best Synthetic Oil for your Rav4.

Answer 6

you should use castrol 10w30 conventional oil
that is what most foreign automakers recomend