Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Boulder, Montana

Interesting that you still have that perspective on Cadillacs. That one probably came from the 1940's when Cadillac used flathead motors with short duration, high torque cams, and was one of the first cars to use automatically adjusting hydraulic valve lifters. Thise motors were definitely longer lived and smoother running than other cars of that era. But, by the late 1970's, Cadillac reliability had declined to where it was worse than Chevrolets or Buicks. We used to joke about how Cadillac was coasting on a reputation it had earned decades previously; and if owners actually realized how other GM engines compared to their prestige model; they would be ashamed of their choice. The scandal that later arose when it was discovered that GM was using small block Chevy motors in Buicks, Olds, and Caddy models became a huge joke among mechanics; because the small block Chevy was so much more long lived than the other GM engines. Owners were actually getting a better motor; but they couldn't stand the shock to their egos. The advent of EGR systems in 1973 began the finishing touch to destroying Cadillac's reputation for reliability. I've seen all sorts of valve burning and carbon deposit damage in those crudely designed models. And then; there was the 4-6-8 multi displacement motor. There were numerous lawsuits and accidents as a result of that inadequately tested design. The Cadillac Cimarron; which was just a rebadged 4 cylinder GM compact; and the Cadillac Catera; which was a rebadged German Opel, further dragged that reputation down. And the FWD Cadillac Seville became known as the cheap status symbol in ghettos; where the paint quickly faded from repeated trips through brush type automatic car washes and the body dents were not repaired. The hand built Allante was a valiant effort to salvage that reputation; but it sold in such small quantities that it was largely unrecognized and had little impact. The use of the DOHC 32 valve aluminum head GM Northstar motor in more recent Cadillac models was a worthwhile improvement; but by that time; the old reputation for Cadillac reliability was lost in the past.

While I share your perspective on the exaggerated importance that he placed on the rate of oil consumption; old buddy: I'm going to have to disagree with your recommendation of a single grade oil. The reason that single viscosity oils have become essentially obsolete in modern vehicles is that the low temperature lubricating quality of a single grade oil is so inferior to that of multigrades that it actually shortens engine life!!! It is the ability of multigrade oil to flow into tight spaces during the critical first few minutes of engine operation that has been a major factor in enabling the consistently longer engine life which modern engines are now capable of. This is why the use of oils with zero or five weight cold viscosities have suddenly become so popular. Top lubrication engineers have explained that OVER 90% OF ALL ENGINE WEAR TAKES PLACE IN THE FIRST 5 MINUTES OF ENGINE OPERATION. As a corollary to this statement; they have also said that "If an engine could run at normal operating temperature from the moment it started; it would essentially last forever." Back in the days when I was working on British motorcycles; we always noted how much clattering mechanical noise Triumph 650 Bonneville engines produced. Here in California; the hotshoes always used SAE 50 oil in those motors; because they would blow up under hard driving if thinner oil was used. But one friend rebuilt his Bonneville; and then broke it in on 10W-30. And that motor sounded like a finely polished jewel. The owner then switched it over to SAE 50 when it was fully broken in; and it began clattering and sounding loose, just like all the other Bonnevilles.

It is refreshing to find someone who is open minded enough to recognize sound advice when they see it. Any store that sells Mobil 1 can order 0W-40 from their distributor, if they don't already carry it. You can also buy it directly from a regional Mobil oil distributor in your area. But be sure to not use any other brand or viscosity. The post about Pennzoil european formula 5W-30 in their super synthetic grade sounds encouraging; but that oil would not have the high temperature protection or the low consumption rate of Mobil 1.

I would not expect the use of ANY multigrade oil in these viscosity ranges to void your warranty. There just isn't enough viscosity difference to cause problems. If the dealership told you that Mobil 1 0W-40 would void your warranty; I would ask the regional Toyota Customer Service Center to confirm that IN WRITING. Dealership employees are known to mouth off about things they really don't know, in order to promote their own products; or in order to project an image of confidence and authority. Here's a description of Mobil 1's 0W-40 in an Amazon listing: Product Description Mobil 1 0W-40 exceeding industry standards and the major leading builder requirements is the cornerstone of the performance reserve that lets Mobil 1 0W-40 keep performing well after conventional oils cannot. Mobil 1 0W-40 provides the widest range of protection -- providing the extreme cold start protection of an 0W grade and the high temperature protection of an SAE 40 grade. Mobil 1 0W-40 meets key industry and car builder specifications for: Mercedes MB 229.5, BMW Longlife 01, Porsche Approval List 2002, VW 502.00/505.00/503.01, GM-LL-A-025 (gasoline), GM-LL-B-025 (diesel), ACEA A3, B3/B4 and API SM/CF. Mobil 1's viscosity is recommended by many European car builders, its wide range providing unsurpassed levels of protection and an overall smooth driving experience. Mobil 1 0W-40 keeps engines starting in Arctic-extreme cold, and it cleans deposits, sludge and varnish often formed in high temperature operating conditions. If you want total engine protection, excellent fuel economy and a product recommended for applications under warranty, you want Mobil 1. The world's leading synthetic motor oil, it features a proprietary SuperSyn anti-wear technology that provides performance beyond conventional motor oils. Technology that allows Mobil 1 to exceed the toughest standards of Japanese, European and U.S. car builders -- and to provide exceptional protection against engine wear, under normal or even the most extreme conditions. PLEASE NOTE THE LAST SENTENCE. This oil could not exceed the toughest standards of Japanese car builders and also void their warranties!!!! What is probably going on here is twofold; 1> 0W-40 is not mentioned as a recommended oil in the North American Toyota owner's manuals; because of a POLITICAL ISSUE. But if this oil is not mentioned in owners manuals; that does NOT mean its use will void warranty coverage. This situation came about because, in their well meaning ignorance; the US Congress passed a federal law requiring all new car dealers to only use oils labeled "energy conserving" in every car they service. Energy conserving oil is produced by thinning out the oil so that it creates less friction. The effect of this modification is to improve gas mileage by typically less than 1 mile per gallon. But there is also a substantial downside to this trick; the downside is that it reduces the oil's protection against piston wear and increases the rate of oil consumption. Shortly after this legislation was introduced, and all new car dealers in the US were forced to use only this type of oil; Mazda RX-8 rotary engines began failing at abnormally low mileages (40,000-70,000 miles) in US service. At the same time; RX-8 rotaries in Canada and Europe were running well beyond 100,000 miles with no problems. The Canadian and European RX-8s were using the manufacturer's recommended 20W-50 oil viscosity; which had now become illegal for dealerships to use in the US. At this same time; Toyota owners began noticing and complaining of increased piston slap and oil consumption; particularly in Camry V-6s. As a result of this situation; knowledgable owners stopped having their oil changed by dealerships; and instead began having independent garages change their oil or changing it themselves; so they could continue using Mobil 1 in 0W-40.

You know; after reading your most recent post, I finally see what you are so concerned about. And, if you are willing to seriously consider the experience of a career mechanic and diagnostic specialist who has evaluated and serviced thousands of cars since the early 1960's; I can assure you that your concerns are unjustified. Your previous experience with the Corolla is actually very unusual. MOST cars consume a measurable amount of oil between changes. The typical normal oil consumption of a car in good mechanical condition varies between a quart of oil every 7500 miles; to a quart every 3000 miles. Well designed Japanese cars which consume oil at this rate usually do not experience increased oil consumption or any other signs of mechanical degradation until they have reached well over 150,000 miles; and often not until 250,000 miles. It is only when a car starts off consuming a quart every 2500 miles or less, that the consumption rate escalates before 100,000 miles. So your engine really is in great shape; especially for a Camry V-6. European prestige cars like Jaguars and Mercedes often consume oil at a quart every 1500 to 2500 miles; and nobody even blinks an eye at it. But those motors are designed and constructed differently than yours. The rate of oil consumption is greatly affected by engine design; and engine design has recently been heavily influenced by emission control regulations. The V-6 block in the Camry has far more mass and surface area; and consequently more thermal inertia than the smaller inline 4 cylinder Corolla. In order to optimize the Camry V-6's fuel economy and minimize emissions; the recent Camry engine blocks had to be redesigned to warm up more quickly after a cold start. The Corolla did not have this issue; because it has a smaller, thinner, more compact engine block; which is more thermally stable than the V-6 block. One consequence of the Camry V-6 block redesign is that the piston to cylinder wall clearance changes far more as the block expands during warm up than the Corolla block does. So the Camry pistons will be relatively looser fitting while the motor is cold; and that leads to somewhat greater oil consumption. In this particular situation; there have been complaints from some Camry owners about audible "piston slap" during warm up. My experience has been that the amount of piston slap is very much related to the lubricating quality of the motor oil being used. There is one particular oil formula which dramatically reduces piston slap and oil consumption. I have seen the results in my own highly modified Chrysler V-8; and in stock Camry V-6s (both of which have relatively loose piston to wall clearances). This oil reduces engine wear and improves performance and fuel economy; by better lubrication and sealing of the pistons and rings. It is produced by Mobil in a full synthetic formula; and is found in ONLY ONE of the many viscosities they sell. This product is Mobil 1 full synthetic in 0W-40 weight. This particular viscosity was originally designed for European high performance engines; namely Porsche, Jaguar, and Mercedes. But it was then found to be far superior to the diluted "energy conserving" oils which are currently sold in the US. So knowledgable car owners are now using it here in all sorts of cars. But even if you stay with the oil you now use; as long as you don't change or mix oil brands (which is a surprisingly destructive practice; despite the oil manufacturers' propaganda to the contrary); your Camry will last well over 150,000 miles with no significant increase in oil consumption.