Toyota has improved dramatically in 2004 Sienna compared with 1999 Sienna.
After driving for 2 weeks, my conclusion: Best minivan, roomy and lots of
cup holders and other convenient accessories, no more pulling right or left,
better power steering, smaller turning radius, more power and better
acceleration, a lot better in braking distance, very much better cornering
and apparently the new 3.3 litre engine has similar fuel consumption
compared with 3 litre 99 Sienna if not slightly better. You feel in
complete control of the pedal and the speed of the minivan, not its
computer.

The only problem I found with 2004 Sienna is that the turning signal does
not click as aloud and you tend to forget to cancel signalling.

Oddey is also good but Sienna has got 8 seats and price range (CE to AWD
Limited) is much more affordable than Oddey.

3.8 litre Chevy Impala is also very powerful but the brakes are really
sucks. Chevy should learn from this Sienna in designing their brakes for
minivans and their full-sized vehicles.

Those who bought 2003 Sienna would regret if tried 2004 Sienna afterwards.

"Sam Cheung" <sycheung2001@sympatico.ca> ¼¶¼g©ó¶l¥ó·s»D
:7yoQa.421$ym.169120@news20.bellglobal.com...

I just purchased a 2004 Toyota LE and would like to hear anyone's
experiences with this van. I was thinking about switching to Mobil 1 5W-30
synthetic oil after a few thousand miles of break-in on conventional oil.
The dealer had no problem with me doing this if I don't mind using more
expensive oil and maintain the normal change interval. Has anyone used Mobil
1 in their Toyota's? This is my first Toyota. Charles Ranheim

In article <iqb_b.27153$nE6.15128@newssvr16.news.prodigy.com> ,
"cranheim" <cranheim@prodigy.net> wrote:

I have an 04 Sienna and have no plans to switch to synthic oil. To save
some money just use a good grade of regular oil and be sure to change
every 3 K miles or so.

In my humble opinion it's a great van and I can just about smoke
anything at the light. Of course my gas milage goes down then.

Dale
--

Dale,

Thanks for your reply. Do you use regular unleaded gas (87 Octane)? The
book says you can use 87 Octane, but it runs better on 91 Octane. My
salesman says they recommend just using 87 Octane. I also heard it has an
aluminum engine block. It that is true, it hope it stands up as well as the
old cast iron ones. Charles Ranheim.

"cranheim" <cranheim@prodigy.net> wrote in message
news:tee_b.17150$oC7.577@newssvr31.news.prodigy.co m...
Charles - search the Google archives for this group. The Synthetic Oil and
Gas Octane issues have been discussed over and over many hundreds of times
in excruciating detail. You should be able to find all you need there.

In article <tee_b.17150$oC7.577@newssvr31.news.prodigy.com> ,
"cranheim" <cranheim@prodigy.net> wrote:

Charles, I use both depending on which pump is open when I drive up.
The Sienna runs just plain good on 87. Dunno about the engine block.

So far the Sienna has exceeded my expectations. Not the perfect vehicle
but close.

Dale
--

I like the Mobil 1 5w 30
I use it in my 03 4Runner.
The nice thing about the Mobil 1 is you can go 5,000 miles for oil
changes but it is expensive. Also I find the truck is quieter and has
more power.
Remember if you go Synthetic DO NOT go back to regular motor oil!
C

We are using Mobil1 in our Sienna. Used in our Camry V6 until it was
totaled by a falling tree. I use it in the 1982 turbo Volvo I still
drive today. That is not a typo - it is 22 years old and still going
strong.

Murphy's Law of falling trees: Any tree falling will always hit the
newest car, even if it has to twist and fall across a two lane road. :-(

cranheim wrote:

We are driving a 2004 Sienna and use 5W-30 syntheitc oil. We started
using it in our trusty 1989 Honda Accord and it makes a HUGE
difference on winter starts up here in Manitoba. The recent -40C
weather confirmed that. The engine turns over so easily on morning
starts and although protesting, revs much easier than with regular
oil.

BTW, a tree fell on our Accord during a storm in Lake of the Woods.
There was a rusted out old GMC van parked right next to us which the
owners were looking to replace. The tree fell right down the middle of
our Accord and a side branch between the two vehicles. The Van had not
a scratch, our Accord was totalled! Roof and hood crushed, windshield,
rear window and 2 side windows blown out. We had just put in it's
first new clutch, at 220,000 km, new struts and springs and had it
totally repainted after hail damage. What rotten luck! We got $6000
from the insurance and only paid $13, 500.

Cheers,
Canadaloon

Thanks for all your responses. I wrote to Toyota about using Mobil 1, and
this was their response:
Question

Can I use synthetic oil in my Toyota?



Answer (2/23/04)



All Toyota vehicles come from the factory with natural petroleum-based
engine oil. Toyota is currently recommending API1 grade SJ or SL, or ILSAC2
multigrade petroleum-based engine oil3 for our current model year vehicles.
In moderate climates, this oil should have a Society of Automotive Engineers
(SAE) viscosity rating of 5W-30. In our high mileage tests with preventative
maintenance performed at the recommended intervals, the recommended natural
petroleum-based oil has provided excellent service.

If you decide to use synthetic oil for the engine, it is best not to switch
until the first scheduled oil change. Synthetic oil should meet or exceed
the specifications provided in your Owner's Manual. Even if synthetic oil is
used, we do not recommend a longer oil change interval. Also, once synthetic
oil is used, you should keep using it and not switch back and forth with
natural petroleum-based oil.



The Toyota New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not cover any damage to the
engine resulting from the use of engine oil that is defective, or that does
not meet the specifications provided in your Owner's Manual, regardless of
whether the oil is natural or synthetic. You can protect yourself against
this possibility by having your maintenance performed by a
factory-authorized Toyota dealership.



1 American Petroleum Institute

2 International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee

3 Please refer to your Owner's Manual for additional information



Charles Ranheim