Best oil for Prado 120 with 160000km

**LeonC** · 2019/04/05, 08:17 PM

Good day, I am so confused now about oils. What would the best oil be for my vehicle at this stage. Can I use a fully synthetic or will this cause issues or stick to mineral oil?
Thanks

**sparewheel** · 2019/04/05, 08:53 PM

I used Magnatec in my 120 for ages, Ive been using HX7 now in my 150(both v6's)

**KarlG** · 2019/04/05, 08:57 PM

I use shell helix hx5 15w40 and have been for last 100000km or so.

**KarlG** · 2019/04/05, 08:59 PM

It's a 2006 v6 with 240000km

**RoelfleRoux** · 2019/04/06, 04:36 AM

Originally Posted by LeonC

Good day, I am so confused now about oils. What would the best oil be for my vehicle at this stage. Can I use a fully synthetic or will this cause issues or stick to mineral oil?
Thanks

I have looked into this issue a few times in the past. Here is my personal opinion:
1) Full synthetic oil allows longer service intervals (at about double the price) and is better equipped to look after the environment and in particular the environmental devices in the exhaust system.
2) There is a general opinion to not mix the two, but to change over to full synthetic shouldn't "cause issues".
3) If you stick to the service interval on your car, then good quality 15W40 mineral oil is perfect. The Shell, Caltex and Valvoline products are considered to be very good.

The 4.0V6 in your car is as robust as they come. Good, clean, regularly changed mineral oil will make it last forever. Rather use the money you save by not going full synthetic and do preventative maintenance on the cooling system. The only issues I've heard of on that engine is when the cooling ability takes a dip.

**Sneaky Pete** · 2019/04/06, 08:02 AM

Agree with Roelf.

A good well known brand with top Classification / Spec is fine.

If you want take a used sample and send it to Wearcheck with all vehicle and usage details. The more of a history you build up the better picture you get of what is happening inside the engine. I bought a new vehicle and from 1st sample started warning about high silicone in oil. Turned out to be a faulty air cleaner housing. That engine would have been toast pretty early in its life.

A periodic oil analysis report would also boost your resale value.