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This is a question I hear all the time ? “I just got a new Tundra and I want to treat it right ? should I use synthetic oil? If so, should it be full

synthetic or synthetic blend?” Unfortunately, the answer is complicated. Generally speaking, because synthetic oil has fewer impurities, better properties at high temperatures, slightly better viscosity, and it is more resistant to breakdown than regular oil, synthetic is better for AN engine. However, whether or not it?s better for YOUR engine depends on a few things.

If you are the type of person that changes your oil exactly when you’re supposed to , then there’s a pretty good chance you don’t need to use synthetic. On the other hand, if you’ve been known to skip an oil change or if you can go more than six months between changes, synthetic is a perfect choice for you. Synthetic oil can save your engine if you forget to maintain it, but if you’re good at changing your oil than you won’t see one the biggest synthetic oil benefits (protection against long term breakdwon).

For instance my aunt drives about 7k miles per year. At that rate she’s only going to see an oil change about every 9 months. Since regular oil starts to wear out after 6 months, she should use synthetic. The best advice I can give you is think about who is in charge of maintaining the vehicles in your family and recommend synthetic oil to those people that will exceed the time threshold or those people that might space an oil change.

Another reason to consider using synthetic oil is if you find yourself in extreme conditions often, or if you find you’re running your engine a lot when the vehicle is parked. Extreme conditions (like high temps or high altitudes) will often cause the engine to run at higher-than-normal temperatures, which in turn will lead to accelerated oil break-down. If you’re running your engine a lot when your vehicle is parked, you’re also creating higher-than-normal temperatures in your engine. Synthetic oil performs better in these situations.

Synthetic oil is most often used in high performance vehicles. If you are utilizing your vehice like a high-performance car (high speeds, fast turns, you know who you are) then synthetic is a smart choice.

There’s quite a bit of advice out their about using synthetic if you drive in a big city with lots of bad traffic, or if you only drive short distances. As far as traffic goes, it’s all relative. If you’re maintaining an average speed of 20mph in your commute, you’re ok to run regular oil. As for the short distance advice, I can’t stress enought that no oil will protect your engine from the damage of a three mile trip once a day. Engines are supposed to ran for a few miles before you shut them off, otherwise oil doesn’t circulate properly and you will see premature engine wear. My advice to you is to drive farther if you can.

After reading this, you may have determined that synthetic oil is the oil for you. Use caution when purchasing synthetic oil. Sometimes your maintanence facility will suggest a synthetic blend to you as a way to save some cash. I suggest you pass. Most synthetic blends don’t tell you how much of the oil is synthetic and how much is regular. Remember — technically, synthetic blend could be 1% synthetic and 99% not. No blends (unlesss they’re recommnded by Toyota).

Last but not least, what does Toyota have to say about synthetics? ?Any oil that meets API standard specifications can be used in your vehicle.? That means normal oil is just fine.

In summary: If you’re using your new truck like there’s no tomorrow, than synthetic is the best choice. For everyone else, go regular.

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About the author: Jason Lancaster has worked in the auto industry and with the Toyota Tundra for almost 10 years. Get more Tundra Info at his website, www.tundraheadquarters.com.

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