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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. To start with, do you follow the rules and change your oil regularly? If you're diligent in changing your oil, you'll probably never see one of the biggest benefits of synthetic oil. Because synthetic oil is resistant to breaking down over time or over under extended use, it's the best oil to have in your engine if you forget an oil change, or, if your oil changes happen more than six months apart. However, if you're changing your oil regularly and at the proper mileage you'll never be in a situation where your engine is at risk from worn-out oil. Evaluate your maintenance schedule to determine if you would benefit from synthetic oil use. For example, think about a person who only drives 3,000 miles per year. They may go more than a year without changing the oil in their car. As oil ages, it's effectiveness decreases, and if it gets old enough it will break down and the motor will no longer be protected. In this case, synthetic is the logical choice. Also, if someone accidentaly goes past the recommended 5,000 mile oil change interval without changing the regular oil, it will start to "fall-apart" and the engine will be at risk. If you or someone you know might forget an oil change, synthetic is a good way to limit your risk. 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. The last example of a high-temperature use that would benefit from synthetic oil would be racing. Hopefully, if you’re racing, you’re using the best oil you can and changing it often. I've read a lot of articles about using synthetic if you're in a lot of stop-and-go situations. I think that this really depends upon your individual situation. After all, anyone who has been to New York or Los Angeles will tell you stop and go in those places is different than anywhere else. Also, if you drive short trips only, people may recommend synthetic oil as a way to protect you engine. However, short trips, regardless of your choice of oil, damage your motor. No matter whether you use synthetic or regular oil, you engine was designed to be ran for at least 20 minutes. That's the best way to protect your engine from damage due to short trips. If one of the above situations applies to you, take care when you purchase synthetic oil. Many places will suggest a synthetic blend as a way to save money (instead of full-synthetic), however the "blend" is often times a mystery. Maybe you're getting a 50-50 blend, or maybe you're getting 1% synthetic and 99% regular oil. I say go full synthetic or don't bother -- unless the blend suggested is provided by your vehicle's manufacturer. That blend would be OK. 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. Bottomline: Unless you’re subjecting your new 2007 Toyota Tundra (and the oil that’s in it) to extreme conditions, save money and use regular oil.
About the author: Jason Lancaster has worked in the car business and with the Toyota Tundra for almost 10 years. Get more Tundra Info at his website, www.tundraheadquarters.com. Feel free to grab a unique version of this article from the Unique Articles Submission Service
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