Going from synthetic back to regular oil

LAULA

MEMBER
TOYOTA COROLLA

I have a 99 Corolla, automatic with 115000km and just bought it from the dealer about 5 months ago. Took it in for an oil change last month and wasn't thinking straight and told the guy to put synthetic in instead of the regular 10w30. My old car had synthetic and now this car does! I didn't want to put synthetic in and didn't realize till after what happened! How can I change back to regular oil without ruining the engine? Flush it out? Is it worth keeping synthetic in?

Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 AT 10:44 PM

4 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

If money is no object, use the synthetic. I think it is better. However, money is an object for me and I also believe if you stick to 3month/3000 miles on the oil change, you'll be fine. I would just change it when it's due and go back to the conventional oil. I would give any engine damage a second thought about the mix.

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Friday, August 3rd, 2007 AT 4:48 AM

LAULA

MEMBER
2 POSTS

So you don't think it'll damage the engine then? Because I do follow the regular oil changes, but everyone has told me that once you switch to synthetic you can never go back.

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Saturday, August 11th, 2007 AT 2:33 AM

MMPRINCE3000

MECHANIC
133 POSTS

Synthetic oils have a much higher temp. Rating, i.E. They can withstand much higher operating temps. Before breaking down.

Whoever told you that once you switch you can never go back, doesn't know what they are talking about.

As Service Writer said, change your oil/filter every 3000 miles and switch to regular oil if you want.

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Sunday, August 12th, 2007 AT 4:07 AM

SERVICE WRITER