I use Amsoil Full synthetic and change it once a year about 20K miles. I do change the filter at 10k even thou it is rated to 20k. Been doing that on all my vehicles with no issues. My VW has 120k and not a single engine problem. My Jeep had 140k on it no problems before I sold it.

 

I use Mobil1 0w-20 fully synthetic. Like you, I live in a colder region and I do not drive very much (few thousand miles a year).

 

Mo1 0w20 every 5000.
Castrol full syn 0w20 when cheaper every 5000

 

Throwing away allot of good oil , before its time .

 

Put in Mobil1 0w-20 synthetic then let it go for 15000 miles. I'm not joking...

 

He is not joking....this is what I used to do and never an issue. Now I change it every 10k mainly to keep up with warranty requirements...

 

I typically put 7 to 8 k a year on mine and just change every 6 months with Toyota recommended dino oil. I usually have a lot short trips and worry about condensation in the oil. For those running synthetic, is condensation from short trips a concern?

 

There is no correlation of condensation VS conventional / full synthetic oils.

 

I've heard good things about Castrol 0w-30 from AutoZone (European formula). Sometimes referred to as German Castrol. I recently bought my truck, so I haven't changed the oil yet. I'm considering using the aforementioned oil when I do.

 

I have a hard time finding the Castrol 30W in the European formula.

 

Depending on the winter I usually run synthetic Castrol 30W or Mobil 20W if colder. Summertime I run Castrol 40W European formula. Oil gets changed out at 5k or as dictated by the climate. Cheap insurance for me...

 

Recommended oil for the 5.7 is 5w20 or 0w20 in a conventional, and you are running the truck enough I would just do it on mileage, and not worry about the time. As long as it runs long enough to get good and warm to get and moisture out from sitting. Synth won't hurt, but unless its hot or towing hard, the 30 weight is not really necessary. I would just run the 0w20 in what ever flavor you like. (I tow and go from freezing to 100 in the mountains, so personally I am running 0w30 M1 synth)

 

Amsoil here as well. The required gaskets came with the filter, not sure if that's the case with other brands or not. This is a good purchase as well if you'll be doing your own oil changes. This replaces the plastic filter cap that I guess can be stripped easily. Toyota Lexus Scion Special Oil Filter Wrench Large Tool Filter Cap 15620 31060 | eBay

 

You really cannot tell how your oil or change interval is working without an oil analysis. I use Blackstone out of Fort Wayne. I use the German Castrol and Toyota OEM filters, both easily sourced on Amazon cheaper than any local source. So far the analysis is telling me that I need to change a little more often than 10K miles.

I bought it used at 20K miles so have no idea of its history. First change analysis indicated it may have never been changed. Second change 10K miles later showed it needs an earlier change. Next change is next week at 7500 miles.

 

Your wasting your money and time on that oil analysis junk.

 

................I had a question on what oil to run........... I only put on about 6,000 miles a year on the truck and don’t tow anything very large. It sits in a garage for a couple months at a time especially during the winter..........I was thinking that if I went to a full synthetic I could change it only once a year and not worry about it..............Any insight would be appreciated...........Thank you.

You would be fine using a full synthetic oil of which ever weight the owners manual calls for. Mobil 1 is what I use because it's readily available in my area.

Since I like tinkering on my vehicles I change mine out every 5k. I'm sure it can go longer but I don't trust the filters for any longer.

 

Never go a higher viscosity than recommended! If it calls for 5w-20, it's okay to use 0w-20, but don't go to 0w-30, or any viscosity higher than manual says.

 

40 weight is for German cars or turbos.
Many threads talk about 20 for gas mileage and 30 for hot or towing and longevity. Not trying to open up a can of worms.

 

Thanks for all the information guys. Much appreciated.

 

Anyone using royal purple synthetic???

 

I use Mobil 1 0/20 change the oil every 10,000 miles. I put 10,000 miles on my oil change, and sent a sample to Blackstone Laboratories. They said I could go another 3,000 miles and maybe more. 10,000 is plenty for me, if conventional oil is good for 5,000 miles Synthetic oil is certainly just fine for 10,000 miles.

 

The 5.7 Tundra takes 8 quarts of oil. The German Castro is a good oil, depending on what weight oil you’re using depends on the shear point. The heavier the oil the more the oil gets cut up going through the journals ( crankshaft, cam shaft, rod bearings). The shear point on the 0W20 is much better then a 5W20 or 10W30. Mobil 1 0W20 will go way further than 10,000 miles. I pull a 6,500 lb. travel trailer toy hauler. I pulled it twice on one oil change so far. I’m at 4,000 miles. We have another trip coming up on October 21st, I will be changing the oil before that trip.

 

Mobile1 is a good choice.

 

I just installed a Baxter Automotive device so I can use spin on filters with a back flow preventer. When I found out that Toyota cannister filter system has no drain back system I was worried about oil draining from the top end. I hope this helps.