I'm at 8K miles on Castrol Syntek 5W/30 on an '02 Camry and the dipstick looks clean.
But - opinions on synthetic change intervals are all over the place.
One poster does 12K with a filter change at 6K on a '97 SUV with no problems.
I was figuring on 10K, else going with a synthetic simply ain't worth the extra bucks.
Also, what about synthetic ATF, same deal?
:confused:

That motor will turn 250k miles easy with 5k intervals and regular oil. So you have to ask yourself if it is worth using synthetic. Economics is not a factor! It can be a superior lubricant (not all synthetics are the same). It can have many benefits if you happen to live in extreme climates. It can extend your service intervals (a good solid clean running engine will keep the oil looking clean but you can't tell the condition by looking. That same oil in a worn out dirty inefficient engine will look dirty after 10 minutes but will still be plenty good.

If breaking even is a factor stick with conventional and 5 services.

Thanks, airjer-
5K oil change intervals with regular Castrol was about what I was doing, with Toyota OEM filters.
So I'll go back to doing exactly that, much less expensive.
Many thanks
Jim in Dartmouth MA

5K oil change intervals may be too long if your driving habits are hard on the oil. A lot of highway driving is necessary to maintain oil quality over 5k miles. Short trips that don't get the oil really hot will kill the oil very quickly.

It's a Toyota Brian, it will be fine! :)

There is an old adage that states "ENGINE OIL DOES NOT WEAR OUT". OIL does not wear out it just gets contaminated over time with combustion by products, normal wear products etc. Heat is another factor to consider. DINO OIL has done a very good job over the years using a 3-4k mi. change interval. Synthetics can go much longer before a complete change. I personally change out the MOBIL 1 at 6-7 k mi. interval with a filter change at 3-3.5k mi. Which ever OIL CHOICE you make please consider the additive package that the refiner uses in their product. I use M1 because all my vehicles have flat tappet engnes in them save for the 06 GRAND PRIX GT which has the roller tappets. The M1 has the better "IMO" additive package, ie. ZINC % etc. ALL the major brands have great products to chose from. If you want more info just type in synthetic oil in the search section here on the AF website. You will be amazed as to what will come up. You might checkout the MAJOR BRANDS WEBSITE ALSO.

HOPE THIS HELPS.