Toyota Repair: motor oil, oil brands, older cars

Question
Hello, this is a rather simple question. You hear so much about one oil brand being so much better than the rest, is there any fact to this?  I also hear that changing oil brands in a car can cause a car to use oil between changes. Once again, is this true?  I didn't go out and spend 23K on a new car to cause an oil leak that shouldn't be there.  I guess it came from the manufacturer (or so I was told) with Castrol.  I'm needing the 2nd oil change soon, and in the warmer weather, I will be able to do them myself.  On my older cars & trucks I used Havoline.  Should I stick with Castrol?  A synthetic blend?  Any info you give, will be more information that I have now.  Thanks for your time!!  Kevin

Answer
I suggest that you read the owner's manual that came with your car and follow those recommendations as far as what oil to use and the intervals it should be changed. All major oil brands are pretty much the same, the advertising claims are just that, they want you to buy their oil,personally I do not see much advantage to using synthetic oil but if it makes you feel better go ahead and use it but once you do stay with it, the same goes for other brands of oil, any major brand of oil will be ok as long as it is changed on a regular basis, the best oil in the world will break down after a prolonged period and cause lack of lubrication and engine damage, use Havoline, Castrol, Shell, Texaco,Mobil etc, it doesn't matter just change it at the recommended intervals, and by the way oil doesn't cause seals to leak, the seals wear out after time and start leaking, nothing to do with what oil you were using and oil usage is strictly a mechanical issue and is not affected by the oil used.