Does It Really Matter?

IMotor Oils: Unraveling the Differences


Which oil is better for your vehicle: synthetic or conventional? Before synthetic oils became available for regular automobiles, the argument centered solely on brand types and weight. But now, with the advent of synthetics all over the market, what is truly the best choice for your engine? Let's take a deeper look to find out.
Conventional oil is rated according to an SAE system. This scale is used so that you know what type of oil is best for your car given the environmental conditions of where you live. The higher the number, the better it is for hotter driving conditions.

Synthetic oils were previously used in many military vehicles and fighter jets. Airlines also use synthetics in their engines. More conventional synthetic oils have been designed to not break down as quickly. They can tolerate extremities in temperature and weather (hot to cold). Synthetic oils were first introduced to the consumer market in 1972 and have grown in popularity because of the superiority in protecting today's high performance engines.

One of the major differences between conventional and synthetic oils is that synthetics are treated with more additives that protect your engine for a longer amount of time before you have to change it. This treatment allows synthetics to last longer in hotter conditions resulting in greater protection against viscosity breakdown. Synthetics can last as much as three times longer than conventional oil.

Unlike conventional motor oil, which must be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, synthetic motor oil can go 6,000 to 10,000 miles between oil changes. Longer oil change intervals, means fewer trips to the lube shop or time spent underneath your vehicle.

Another major reason that many are choosing synthetic is that it contains fewer impurities; impurities that can cause your engine harm. With today's technology, the composition of synthetic oil is much cleaner. It has been proven to have a lower volatility and therefore not vaporize out the exhaust as quickly. So, for now, synthetics appear to be the more environmentally friendly choice.



Synthetics have also been shown to produce less resistance in the engine and therefore offer more horsepower and overall efficiency for the engine. This added horsepower in return means that the engine will be able to perform at the same level as before, but using slightly less gas.



Regardless of your perspective on oils, you should follow maintenance guidelines set forth for your particular vehicle. More performance oriented vehicles require synthetic because of the high heat that builds in these engines. Vehicles with engines that don't get exposed to extreme weather conditions can survive on conventional motor oil. Visit your local Toyota service center to inquire about your vehicle's oil requirements.



Source: Your Engine, Your Baby: Synthetic or Conventional Oil



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Winter Auto Maintenance Checklist

Even better than winter driving tips        By Matthew Wright, About.com Guide

@ Team Toyota

Winter is upon us, and winter driving comes with it. While safety is an important consideration all year long, there are certainly some auto maintenance jobs and safety checks that are specific to chilled air and winter driving that are a good idea to check into before we're knee deep in the season. To be sure you don't end up a road popsicle, or even worse end up with your holiday budget on ice thanks to unexpected repairs, have a look under the hood to be sure things are ship shape. As with any change of season, you should go to your regular maintenance log to make sure you are up to date on the maintenance items that should be taken care of throughout the year. The change of seasons is a great time to go through some once-a-year or twice-a-year auto maintenance tasks.

Winter Specific Maintenance

In addition to the added perils of winter driving, the change in weather can bring peril to your car's systems. Freezing temps, salted roads and wintery precipitation can gang up on your car if you don't give it a baseball-bat sized maintenance session. These winter maintenance jobs will keep you out of trouble:

Check your antifreeze
Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your car's winter protection. Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can buy a tester for around $5. You did remember to perform a radiator flush last spring, didn't you?

Inspect your tires
The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32" of depth to be safe. It's been my experience, especially in winter weather, that anything less than 4/32" (1/8") be replaced soon. The old penny test is as reliable as anything to find out whether your treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure when it gets cold, so pump 'em up.

Replace your wipers
Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you're also driving through that soupy muck that's left on the road once the highway department does their thing. This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.

Check your windshield washer fluid
You'll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking like a Desert Humvee if you're low on washer fluid. *Tip: Don't fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won't freeze!

Annual Maintenance Procedures
On top of the checks you need to perform to ensure safe winter driving, now's a good time to do some annual maintenance. These aren't necessarily specific to winter driving, but it's a good point on the calendar to get around to doing this stuff.

Clean your battery posts
Starting problems are a bummer any time of year. Regularly treating your battery to a cleaning can keep electrical gremlins at bay.

Inspect your spark plug wires
Cracked up plug wires affect performance, gas mileage and general reliability. Be sure yours are in top shape.

Inspect your brakes
Brakes are not a good area to cut corners. Be sure your brakes have enough meat left to get you through the season.

Check Your Engine Oil
This should go without saying and should be done at least monthly. But in case you're an amnesiac ... you should also do an oil change!

Cold weather safety should be a concern for anybody living in a cold climate. These tips will give you the upper hand when Old Man Winter tries to put a chill on your winter travels. If you're extra curious about staying generally safe in winter weather, the National Weather Service has an excellent Winter Safety & Awareness guide that covers everything from how storms brew to a list of history's billion dollar winter wonders.

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It's Not To Early To Think About The Holidays!

It's Not To Early To Think About The Holidays!

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We have made it easy to purchase a New or Pre-Owned Toyota or Scion Online.  You can request parts and accessories to customize and veiw our specials through our Team Toyota's website, here. You now have the ability to shop from the comfort of your home or office and purchase all of your favorites or schedule service! Our commitment to you is we will not be undersold by our competiton. Here is what a few of our customers have to say. Oh and remember Holidays are right around the corner Team Toyota / Scion has all the toys for your favorite persons car, truck or suv!

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