I just picked up my first car in a very long time. 2004 Toyota Corolla LE 226,000 miles with automatic trans. I have a 2 questions. First on the oil, or lack there of. Car was bone dry, no oil in it at all, I put a quart in just to get it back to the house. I watched a few of your youtube videos that state on older cars you generally use conventional oil, however I saw another video from you where you said you put synthetic in oil in a Toyota Matrix that had a VVT-I engine. The 2004 Corolla LE is 19 year old car, but has a VVT-I engine. I called my local Toyota dealer and they said they use Mobile 1 conventional oil for a 2004 Corolla, however Mobile 1 is synthetic, they don't make a Mobile 1 Conventional oil. So I'm really curious what to use. Recommendation on an oil filter would be cool too.
2nd question.
The AC doesn't work. I've tried the old horn relay swap to see if the compressor would kick on but no go. The radiator fan doesn't run either and it looks like the ac compressor clutch doesn't engage. Any ideas?
Thanks a bunch.
Use synthetic oil, I use it on my 2005 matrix with the same engine and does great. make sure to keep an eye on it as it sounds like it is burning a fair bit of oil.
You may want to replace the pcv valve, the oem one is like $12 and easy to switch. If that is bad it will cause oil burning.
Car was bone dry, no oil in it at all, I put a quart in just to get it back to the house
That's a very bad sign. When properly maintained, that 1.8L engine can run a long time.
I called my local Toyota dealer and they said they use Mobile 1 conventional oil
Mobile's conventional oil line is called 'Mobil Delvac'. Every Mobile 1 branded oil is full synthetic oil. Use 5W-30 synthetic
Recommendation on an oil filter would be cool too
I recommend using Toyota filters. If it's burning a lot of oil, still make sure and change the oil filter.
2nd question.
Please create a new post for a new question per forum rules, thanks.
So I bought a 5qt jug of Mobil 1 High Mileage full sythentic 5w-30 online. They sent me 10w-30 instead is that a no go or is 10w-30 ok to put in my car with 226k miles on it.
Thanks.
So I bought a 5qt jug of Mobil 1 High Mileage full sythentic 5w-30 online. They sent me 10w-30 instead is that a no go or is 10w-30 ok to put in my car
10W-30 won't hurt anything.
5W-30 is slightly better when you start the engine or in a cold climate.
I live in Seattle doesn't get super cold here in the winter. I think by then I will have done another oil change as well.
Car was bone dry,
yikes! red flag. Especially at that mileage. Might want to do a compression test and get a camera in there before pumping any more money into this thing.
Get an inspection BEFORE buying, as Scotty says every time.
So I'm really curious what to use.
This is covered in our FAQ.
Whatever the owner's manual recommends. I would have absolutely no qualms putting oil marketed as "synthetic" into your 04 Corolla.
It will undoubtedly exceed the requirements.
Recommendation on an oil filter
OEM, Wix, Napa, Purlator, ...
I think by then I will have done another oil change as well.
Before you get to your next oil change you'll likely be adding oil. Adding 5W-30 synthetic is fine.