Your 2022 4Runner should use synthetic oil, not conventional. Toyota's factory fill and official recommendations both point to synthetic as the right choice for your vehicle.
Why Synthetic Works Better for Your 4Runner
Synthetic oil offers three major advantages over conventional:
- Better protection in extreme temperatures: Your 4Runner faces hot summers and cold winters depending on location. Synthetic maintains consistent performance in both conditions.
- Longer oil life: You can go 10,000 miles between changes with synthetic instead of 5,000 to 7,500 miles with conventional. That's fewer trips to the shop.
- Cleaner engine: Synthetic contains fewer impurities and resists sludge buildup better, keeping your engine running smoother and quieter over time.
The Cost Trade-off
Synthetic oil costs roughly twice as much as conventional per oil change. A synthetic change runs $65 to $125 versus $30 to $75 for conventional. However, you change synthetic half as often, which balances out the cost difference. Many 4Runner owners report their engines feel noticeably smoother after switching to synthetic.
What NOT to Do
Don't mix conventional and synthetic oil. Motor oils blend base oils with additives, and mixing them breaks down the additive package designed for your engine. Stick with one type throughout your ownership.
If you're unsure which synthetic oil to use, check your owner's manual for Toyota's specific recommendation. Popular choices among 4Runner owners include Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic and other name-brand synthetics that meet Toyota specifications.
Bottom Line
Your 2022 4Runner was engineered for synthetic oil. Use it, change it every 10,000 miles, and you'll keep your engine protected and running strong.