Is factory oil in new 09 camry V6 synthetic ?

[Paul3637]

In April I purchased a 2009 Camry V6 LE assembled in Georgetown Kentucky during February 2009. I believe the engine was imported from Japan. The car had 4 miles on it when I bought it and it gets incredibly good gas mileage (well over 30 mpg on premium gas 50/50 city/highway driving & 36 mpg highway at 65 - 70 mph) and I want to keep it that way. I'd like to know if synthetic oil was used for the original "factory" oil fill and what brand.

I have used Pennzoil all my life. The owners' manual (more aptly described as owners' book with 480 pages) is silent on synthetic oil. Since the cost of synthetic versus regular oil is nil, I would prefer to run synthetic. What I would like to know is what kind of 5w30 oil was installed in the car when it was new and is there any reason NOT to use Pennzoil synthetic at my first oil change.

I know many years ago that people that swithced to Mobil 1 from regular oil would complain of increased oil consumption. The oil consumption rate on my car is virtually zero (dispstick level has not moved from full in 2000 miles), consistent with my prior experience with Lexus and Camry V6 engines.

Any advice on using Pennzoil synthetic for my first oil change when I hit 4,000 miles would be appreciated. Thanks.

[jwko]

Thats a good question. I don't see how an engine could properly "break in" using synthetic oil. Synthetic is supposed to eliminate engine wear, to break in an engine means slight engine wear. I would use conventional motor oil to about 10k to allow the engine to fully break in. Then switch to a true synthetic oil like Mobile 1.

You might want to research brands. There are a lot of oil's claiming "full synthetic" but are actually petroleum based. Amsoil and Mobile 1 are true synthetic. Penzoil "Synthetic" is a petroleum base.

Stay away from Fram oil filters, they are junk.