Synthetic Oils for diesel motors

I was advised by Toyota not to use synthetic oil until I had 20,000km on the clock.

Sugest you read up on leaking seals crank shaft Etc.

A lot of the blame on leaking seals comes from changing from mineral oils which swells the seals to stop mineral oils from leaking from these seals.

But if you then change to synthetic the seal shrinks a tad and starts to leak.

I have never used synthetic oils so can't tell you if I have seen a direct result from leaking seals from a change over to synthetic but someone here might.

Cheers.

JG. Penrite only recommend a Semi synthetic oil for your model. Have a look here
Cheers,Bob

Probably help to ad why you want to use it?
Are you expecting a benefit, or extended oil changes or something along those lines?

I use Mobil 1 - 5W50 in my 100 series TD. On sale at repco for $59 for 5L. As has been stated here before check out 'bob is the oil guy' on the internet. Very interesting reading (well - I thought so anyway...)
Drew

I've been using full synthetic lube oils (engine and gear oils) since the early '80's - initially with race motor cycles (Bel-Ray and Motul), but later with cars, 4x4's and trucks and buses.
Now it is used in everything from the generators, lawnmowers, all motorcycles, all cars, 4x4's and our Hino motorhome.

The most recent vehicle to convert is our 2010 Ford Ranger. After a run in (5000K) on factory oil it is now on Castrol Edge Sport 5W-30 a full synthetic. The FORD spec is for a 5W-30 or 10W-30.
The engine is noticeably quieter on the new oil. Next will be fuel consumption comparisons.
Many of the newer CR diesels specify a much lighter oil and the Ranger is the only one in our fleet on 5W-30. All the rest are on Mobil 1 5W-50.

The only way to correctly assertain the best oil/filter service interval is with oil analysis sampling.

This was done here and one our Toyota Hilux Surf (1KZ-TE engine) we were able to safely increase the service interval from 5000K to 15000K . Despite the increased oil price - the overall cost is reduced because the oil / filter change frequency has been reduced. One filter instead of three as well.
Analysis shows that the Mobil 1 5W-50 still has a better viscosity index after 15000K's than NEW mineral oil!
The lubrication benefit at the low and high end of the temperature scale also favours synthetic and we also have had fuel consumption benefits. One motorcycle has show a consistant 10% improvement, while most of the others show a 7 to 9% improvement.

Check your Prado specs and go for it with a full synthetic of the correct viscosity to suit.

Any brand - as long as it is full synthetic NOT a synthetic blend. They are all good. Just pick a brand that is readily available, especially if you are travelling.

Wikipedia - synthetic oils.

Synthetic facts

Castrol Edge Sport

Mobil 1

Penrite synthetic

Motul

Bel-Ray synthetics

Amsoil synthetics

Caltex synthetics