<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Formula8:
1. I've owned several Toyota's and not to change the subject and no offense but your story is routine for a Toyota. Good story but IMHO, it does not serve as proof of anything other than Toyota builds good cars and trucks.
2. What is proof to me is the extent sythetic oils are used in all forms of racing and recommended by virtually all high end auto manufacturers for their street cars. Many of which have been able to eliminate external oil coolers as a result. Yes, synthetic costs more and in many typical cars, you may never know the difference. But, I guess the same thing could be said about forged cranks, forged pistons, Crower rods and so on. Depends on the application and the owner's willingness to take on risk. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
1. Yes they do, and I am a mechanical engineer and I used to be a diesel mechanic and my best freind is a Toyota certified mechanic and I can tell you that the BEST made rig wont last very long if the oil is junk. I don't care what it's made of and how well it's put together if the metal contacts metal it screws it up.
2. I think you said it "...Depends on the application..." Willingness to risk hasn't got a thing to do with it. The manufacturer sets up a maintenance program for that engine/application and a service factor for said and if you follow the manufacturers guidelines you should be just fine. The auto makers do a ton of testing to keep there customers happy and keep from paying out warranty claims. It isn't ALWAYS perfect of course but I can guarantee they don't put anything in the engine that wont make it last. Now if synthetic is recommended you better use it, that goes back to the manufacturers service factors for that application. I'm not saying that synthetic isn't good but I don't think it's necessary for most applications. It might be a budget saver if the oil change interval is such that it cost less to change synthetic less often.