Getting close to my 3000 mile service and looking for advice on synthetic related to improved mpg. I know there are wear and tear benefits and curious if it will also improve mileage.

 

No evidence so far. I went Synthetic in my 2007 TCH at the first oil change and I am still averaging 36.1 MPG for the first 14K miles.

I did not get a 5000 mile "break-in bump" nor did I see synthetic make a difference.

I use synthetic for all the other benefits, but higher MPG is not one I have seen.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I doubt you'll see any change, MPG-wise. I would still recommend going full synthetic and staying with Toyota's recommended 5000 mile change interval. In 30,000 miles, you'll do 6 oil changes vs. 10 with your current approach. (Of course, Toyota says 5,000 miles on conventional oil, but I'm only comparing what you're currently planning vs. what I'm recommending.) YMMV!

 

Interesting story; I recently drove up from South Florida to Rhode Island for the Summer. I averaged around 38 mpg for the trip. Around town in Fl I have been getting avg of 37.5 for the last 6 months. When I arrived I took the car to the dealer for oil change and requested 0-20 oil. When I left the dealer the car seemed to be going full electric easily but I didn't really pay much attention. However since the oil change i'm indicating 44 to 45 mpg for about two weeks now. I have never consistantly had anything like this since I bought the car (June 2006). I don't know if its the oil or the different driving between here in RI and Florida. I guess time will tell but with the gas at $3.10 per gallon it sure is nice!

 

My last 15K miles have been on synthetic. No change in mileage since switching after the first 5K miles. I sure wish I could report differently, since I had big hopes for another 1-2 MPG, but in the TCH you will likely not see mileage gains from switching to synthetic.