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Engine & DrivetrainDiscussions about the engine and drivetrain of your vehicle.
This is a discussion thread titled "Confused on Synthetic?", within the Engine & Drivetrain forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
Second post so I'm a newbie. Just bought the 01 Sequoia. It has 55000 miles on it. I have no idea what oil was used in it. I'm confused on whether I should use synthetic or regular oil. I live in Florida if that helps suggest a type. Also, If you suggest synthetic, do I need to do any type of flush or can I do just regular oil and filter change. I want to own this one for a long time so I want the best thing for it. Also, for the 60K service, should I put sythetic for the Tranny and Power Steering?
If you drain every 3-4K miles, then synthetic is optional... but still need to alway use a high quality filter (tough to beat the oem toyota filters as far as the quality for the price - and even cheaper if you buy them by the dozen).
If you plan on keeping the Sequoia for many years, then it would be best to use a high quality 100% synthetic oil (I use Amsoil Series3000 5W30, but there are several others including Mobil 1 that have received good reviews on this forum). Again, using a good quality filter is just as important as oil selection.
Now is an excellent time to also do a complete tranny flush. It takes about 16qts of ATF and is something that about any novice backyard mechanic can easily tackle in an hour some Saturday afternoon. Mine shifted much smoother afterwards. I used Amsoil Synthetic ATF but many are also reporting good results with the Mobil1 ATF. If the tranny has never been flushed before, now would also be a good time to add a can of AutoRX prior to the flush to help dissolve any deposits that may have formed. I saw that someone has posted a discount program for AutoRX within the last day (or so) under the Engine & Drivetrain forum.
The power steering fluid flush is less critical, but again - if you plan on keeping the vehicle long term then its not a bad idea to flush it every 60k miles or so. Some also recommend flushing the brake fluid every 60k miles as well. I've never done this on mine, but would consider it if I lived in a more humid enviroment where the fluid would potentially pick up more moisture from the air.
Finally, I don't know if you have noticed a ticking sound inside the cab when the motor is idling (not as noticable when on the hwy). This is common annoyance on the 2001/2002 model year vehicles. A simple fix is to take the engine ground wire that grounds to the passenger side firewall and relocate it so it now grounds the engine to the one of the power steering fluid reservour mounting bolts on the wheel well. Seems too simple, but it works.
Good luck with your "new" sequoia... I hope you enjoy it as much I enjoy mine.
I'd use 10W-30 in Florida, and everywhere when the weather is warm, or 5W-40 or 15W-40 if you run the engine hard & hot. Any top quality conventional oil is good for 5,000 miles, and synthetic is good for at least 10k, but I'll recommend draining at 7500 in line with the owner's manual.
You can switch directly to synthetic. I feel the best oil, regardless of price, and not the priciest, is Schaeffer. You can call Bob Winters, 904-591-0622. Mobil 1, Amsoil, Red Line are all very good.
Yes, renew all fluids...synthetic Dexron-III ATF in the transmission & power steering, same brands as above plus add Royal Purple. Synthetic 75W-90 gear oil in the differentials and transfer case, or Schaeffer's 80W-90 in the rear. I like ATE or Valvoline brake fluid. Be sure the coolant was flushed on schedule. If not, do it, and use Toyota's antifreeze, 40% AF & 60% water for your climate.
I use Auto-Rx to clean the engine internals, transmission, and power steering. It cleans slowly, safely, and completely. I've had good results with it.
Schaeffer's synthetic blend engine oil, ATF, and gear oil are equal or better than just about every full synthetic oil, and lower cost. I've got good oil analyses at 10,000 miles with Schaeffer's oil. It can be hard to find, but Bob Winters is in Jacksonville. http://www.schaefferoil.com/
Ken
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First of all, congrats on your "new" Sequoia. I just bought one, too. Got a steal on it.
I absolutely agree with THarms comments. Right now is the perfect time to switch to Synthetic as your motor should be perfectly broken in by now.
A few things to remember before going to Synthetic:
1. Use a flush, first. Amsoil has an engine flush for when you're switching to synthetic. REASON: Synthetic oil will clean all of the crap that previous petroleum oil left behind. You don't want all of that crap swimming around in your new oil. OPTION: Use Synthetic oil and flush it after about a month of use, and replace with a fresh fill of Synthetic. Then you'll be ok. However, at 55,000 miles, your motor shouldn't have much or any petroleum oil build up or sludge.
2. Synthetic oil will keep your seals soft and expanded. Petroleum oil will dry them and crack them.
3. I'm an Amsoil Distributor. If you want to keep your fresh fill of Synthetic oil in for up to a year without changing it, install a By-pass oil filter. But you can only do this with 100 Synthetic oil. The Amsoil By-pass filter even removes water from the oil. I've installed one in every car that I've owned. I recommend Amsoil 5W-30 which has been proven to surpass Mobil 1. Not by much, but it does surpass it in just about every test.
Amsoil doesn't make an air filter for Sequoias, unfortunately. They did, and discontinued the item.
I only have 1 months with my "new" Sequoia and I've already filled with Amsoil 100% Synthetic and installed By-pass filter. Next month, I'm replacing with Amsoil Synthtic Automatic Tranny Fluid, and replacing the gear lube with Amsoil Fully Synthetic.
If you don't install a Bypass filter, I would change the oil after about 5.5K to 6k miles. It depends on the type of driving that you do.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your Sequoia. I love mine, so far.
Next month, I'm replacing with Amsoil Synthtic Automatic Tranny Fluid, and replacing the gear lube with Amsoil Fully Synthetic.
BE CAREFUL! Your new Sequoia has the NEW Highly modified WS fluid for the tranny. None of the aftermarket are Toyota approved even for the '03 and '04 T-IV fluid, nevermind the WS. ANY tranny issues on the new '05 5 speed and you bought the tranny because you used NON APPROVED fluid. Will it work??? Can't tell you but even Mobil told one of our members to remove the M1 from his '03 IMMEDIATELY and flush with the T-IV. To much of a chance for me too void my warranty at this point.
Quote: BE CAREFUL! Your new Sequoia has the NEW Highly modified WS fluid for the tranny.
Thanks for the warning. I also appologize. I didn't realize that the year was wrong on my profile. It showed that I had a 2005. Instead, I have a 2001. I just corrected it.
Do you know if what you mentioned above is also true of the 2001? I have the gear lube and transmission fluid ready to go.
I checked with Toyota. They had no warnings about it...
Last edited by hmoreno; 02-24-2005 at 10:41 PM.
Reason: Had wrong year on my profile
Quote: BE CAREFUL! Your new Sequoia has the NEW Highly modified WS fluid for the tranny.
Thanks for the warning. I also appologize. I didn't realize that the year was wrong on my profile. It showed that I had a 2005. Instead, I have a 2001. I just corrected it.
Do you know if what you mentioned above is also true of the 2001? I have the gear lube and transmission fluid ready to go.
I checked with Toyota. They had no warnings about it...
From everything I know and read you should be fine. The '01 and '02 used regular dextron so M1 or Amsoil will be fine (and better than stock) Just make sure that you do the complete flush (16 qts) as described in many threads here. This will make sure you clear out the old fluid. If your planning on changing it you might consider doing the auto-rx cleaning first.
From everything I know and read you should be fine. The '01 and '02 used regular dextron so M1 or Amsoil will be fine (and better than stock) Just make sure that you do the complete flush (16 qts) as described in many threads here. This will make sure you clear out the old fluid. If your planning on changing it you might consider doing the auto-rx cleaning first.
Question: Is it easy to do a complete flush. I'm surprised that the Toyota Dealership, which is very reputable, didn't tell me anything about that. The guy told me that it should suffice with about 5 quarts.
Both of the local Toyota Dealers nearby said that they don't do complete flushes of the transmission fluid and that Toyota doesn't recommend it.
That's too bad because I would really like to go fully synthetic.
One guy from one of the dealers told me how bad he thought synthetics were. He really didn't know what he was talking about.
What disadvantages would there be if I re-fill with synthetics only what what was lost by doing a regular change of transmission fluid (not a full flush). Is there anything wrong with having some synthetic mixed in with the regular oil.
After all, that's what synthetic blends are?
What disadvantages would there be if I re-fill with synthetics only what what was lost by doing a regular change of transmission fluid (not a full flush). Is there anything wrong with having some synthetic mixed in with the regular oil.
After all, that's what synthetic blends are?
The performance of transmission fluid will be between full synthetic and regular.
My homebrew blended synthetic oil (50/50 5W-30, SL GF-3) every 5K for my fleet of Econolines. Never an engine lubrication problem.
...and get over it. You'll feel better after spending that $60 than if you blew it on a trip to the sushi bar.
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Both of the local Toyota Dealers nearby said that they don't do complete flushes of the transmission fluid and that Toyota doesn't recommend it.
That's too bad because I would really like to go fully synthetic.
One guy from one of the dealers told me how bad he thought synthetics were. He really didn't know what he was talking about.
What disadvantages would there be if I re-fill with synthetics only what what was lost by doing a regular change of transmission fluid (not a full flush). Is there anything wrong with having some synthetic mixed in with the regular oil.
After all, that's what synthetic blends are?
From the "smalltown USA" dealers FAST. All of my local dealers recommend full flush every 30K. TS members recommend doing a whole lot more . Here's my $.02, one of the most important and expensive parts of your vehicle needs a fluid to operate properly, lubricate it and keep it cool. This part needs 16 quarts of it and you plan on changing 4. So.......on your next oil change have the dealer drain 1.6 quarts and replace (with regular dino oil) do this for your next oil changes and lets see how your motor works and sounds in future years . Make sure that they document it because it's the same recommendation they gave you for your tranny. Granted tranny fluid is not subject to all the combustion contaminants so it's life is a lot longer, but still.
Is the full flush a $$ item for the dealer, sure it is, but so are many services. 16 qts of T-IV for my Sequoia is like $80, the dealer charges $129 using the BG fluid transfer machine which includes the fluid. For me replacing oil, tranny fluid, diff lube, t-case lube, are some of the cheapest insurance items for the long life of your vehicle.
Confused on Synthetic?
Just flush it...
. Here's my $.02, one of the most important and expensive parts of your vehicle needs a fluid to operate properly, lubricate it and keep it cool. This part needs 16 quarts of it and you plan on changing 4. So.......on your next oil change have the dealer drain 1.6 quarts and replace (with regular dino oil) do this for your next oil changes and lets see how your motor works and sounds in future years 
. Make sure that they document it because it's the same recommendation they gave you for your tranny. Granted tranny fluid is not subject to all the combustion contaminants so it's life is a lot longer, but still.