yeldogt

The cars don't require synthetics to provide long life -- synthetics are great for extended service life and extreme climates ..... but normal changes with quality oil is more than enough for the ES.

The price spread between the two products has narrowed - so those who use synthetics and still change at 3k are not wasting as much as previously.

imherenow

oo crap..its just that the synthetic oil was on sale!!!! ..like it was the price of regular oil but the next day they were all gone ..but the regular castrol gtx is still on sale for like $13 (+ $10 for toyota oil filter)
i wanted to try synthetic but they r god dang expensive!!
oh well looks like i m stuck with good ole gtx for life

DRACO A5OG

Hell, my local Toyota dealer is having a sale on their 10w30 conventional for $2.99, switched from synthetic 5w30 at $9.49 a pop, leaks stop and garage floor is bone dry after 2000 miles on the change.

To be fair, I did re-torque the oil pan to spec, 5 were loose

Parts guy told me the older cars really need to stick with a thicker oil 10w30 or even 10w40 but Toyota does not well 10w40.

imherenow

^^ u can change from 5w30 to 10w30? isnt that bad? ..i mean the manual says 5w30..so y change it . is it becoz of good deal? i dont think i would change those "settings"..

DRACO A5OG

Actually the manual shows 10W30 as an alternate weight, depending on ambient climate.

I was surprised the Toyota Parts recommended it as well, but It makes sense to go a bit thicker due to age. Plus SoCali climate allows this change without any adverse effects.

Now if Autozone told me to do that, I would certainly not change the weight.

In fact she runs quieter and smoother to boot.