0-w20

[MINISuperCooper]

We recently bought an 03 4Runner v8 with 55,000 miles on it. We just took it into the dealer to get the oil changed. (We have an engine warranty, but we have to get the oil changed at this dealer to keep it.)

I was dumb and asked for synthetic. I didn't realize Toyota only has one weight in synthetic. They put the synthetic in. We've had it in the 4Runner for a couple of days now, and I finally picked up the receipt and realized it was 0W-20. (When our manual specifies 5w-30.) I called Toyota this morning, and the lady I spoke with said the dealer has all the specs and knows what they're doing. (I'm paraphrasing, but her answer was basically "If they put the oil in there, then it must be ok.") Well, I'm not an overly trusting guy. This particular dealer doesn't give me a good vibe either. For instance, when we brought our 4Runner in for the oil change one of the service guys was there, so I asked home where we need to park. The conversation went something like this:

Him: I guess you can park it behind that 4Runner.

Me: What 4Runner? (All I saw was a Highlander.)

Him: That silver 4Runner right there. (As he points at the Highlander)

I'm debating on changing it out for some 5w-30 Mobil 1 and saying the heck with the warranty. What's the point of having a warranty someplace you don't trust?! Haha! Anyway, has anyone used 0w-20 in their 4gen?

 

[Be_Original]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gener...y-0w-20-synthetic-oil-explanation-inside.html

This should help

 

[Be_Original]

I dont see any harm in switching or using 0W-20 synthetic. I personally would now stick to synthetic and not go back to conventional though. Plenty of guys here have switched to 0W-20, a quick search goes a long way.

 

[m85476585]

I don't know of many people who have used 0W20 in a V8. I think a few people have put it in the V6. There are several reports of dealers accidentally putting it in, but I haven't heard of anything bad happening as a result.

I'm currently trying it in mine, and nothing bad has happened so far. This thread has more info:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/192056-anyone-using-0w20.html

I think it will be better than 5W30 because it's less viscous at startup, so the engine is better protected for the first few miles of driving. This will be especially helpful for short trips in the winter where the engine doesn't quite fully warm up. The lower viscosity should also slightly improve MPG and increase power since less power will be lost to pumping oil. It's too soon to say if it has had any effect on mileage. I'm still on the first tank of gas.

There is a small risk that it's not good for the engine. Nothing catastrophic has happened yet, but there could be more wear than desired. I plan to have a used oil analysis done around 5,000 miles, and if it looks good I'll keep the oil in longer, hopefully up to 10,000 miles. But I really doubt I'll see anything bad because Toyota has approved 5W20 for these engines, and 0W20 is only significantly different below operating temperature (where it's better).

 

[MikeInNH]

I was dumb and asked for synthetic. I didn't realize Toyota only has one weight in synthetic.

Has nothing to do with Toyota Corporate...but your Toyota dealer. Not sure who's making Toyota's oil these days. Last I knew it was Quaker State. It all comes down to what what oil they carry.

 

[MINISuperCooper]

Thank you all for your input. I read quite a bit before posting, but I couldn't seem to find anything very official when it comes to our 4Runner and the 0w20 oil. Of course, there's that document/chart that says it's okay to use 5w20, but there isn't a green dot saying the 0w20 is alright. (It's here http://www.positivespin.us/Toyota%20Oil%20Chart.JPG)

That's from 2012, so I suppose it's possible things have changed in the past few years.

I may stop at the dealer on the way home and get the service manager's take, but I'm leaning toward removing the oil. If the manual recommends a certain oil weight, it just seems to make sense to use that oil weight.

 

[Sungod]

0w-20 is what my new Tundra uses and it is only available in synthetic. Most likely that is why they put it on your receipt. I would seriously doubt even the dopiest of lube techs would put the wrong oil in.

 

[MINISuperCooper]

Okay. I stopped by the dealership on the way home, and I feel fairly confident that I got accurate information. I spoke with the service manager, and he seemed to know his stuff…which makes me feel better.

I feel like I got the answer to a question I've had rolling around in my head: Why is the 0w-20 excluded for our 4gens on the TGMO Chart? Most 2003 4Runners have high mileage, and he seemed to insinuate that leaking due to mileage is actually the biggest concern. (My understanding is that it's not so much that the synthetic causes leaks…it's more that the synthetic seeps through the leaks that are already there? I could be wrong though.)

Anyway, 0w-20 seems to be fine for the 4gens. He said since our 2003 4Runner only has 55,000 miles on it, there isn't much concern for leaks. He did say to keep an eye on it just in case. He didn't recommend switching back and forth (pick your poison and stick with it in other words). He also claimed that the synthetic lubricates better than the conventional and is a better option. So, leaking seems to be the worst thing that can happen. It won't damage your engine...unless you let it run out of lube. :banana:

 

[pjw1969]

Interesting! I just switch from 10W40 conventional oil that, I have used in my 2003 from the day it got off the boat, ( made in Japan), to 5w30 synthetic. I will have to keep an eye on the oil level. My 03 has 296,600 miles and has never leaked.

 

[m85476585]

Okay. I stopped by the dealership on the way home, and I feel fairly confident that I got accurate information. I spoke with the service manager, and he seemed to know his stuff…which makes me feel better.

I feel like I got the answer to a question I've had rolling around in my head: Why is the 0w-20 excluded for our 4gens on the TGMO Chart? Most 2003 4Runners have high mileage, and he seemed to insinuate that leaking due to mileage is actually the biggest concern. (My understanding is that it's not so much that the synthetic causes leaks…it's more that the synthetic seeps through the leaks that are already there? I could be wrong though.)

Anyway, 0w-20 seems to be fine for the 4gens. He said since our 2003 4Runner only has 55,000 miles on it, there isn't much concern for leaks. He did say to keep an eye on it just in case. He didn't recommend switching back and forth (pick your poison and stick with it in other words). He also claimed that the synthetic lubricates better than the conventional and is a better option. So, leaking seems to be the worst thing that can happen. It won't damage your engine...unless you let it run out of lube. :banana:

I don't think it's mileage since the chart has 0W20 allowed in some vehicles as old as Y2K. The weirdest ones are the ones where it was allowed for some years, then not allowed after that, like the Avalon, V6 Camry, and 4cyl Solara.

 

[bpowa]

0w-20 is what my new Tundra uses and it is only available in synthetic. Most likely that is why they put it on your receipt. I would seriously doubt even the dopiest of lube techs would put the wrong oil in.

lol.. You would be surprised.

 

[MINISuperCooper]

I don't think it's mileage since the chart has 0W20 allowed in some vehicles as old as Y2K. The weirdest ones are the ones where it was allowed for some years, then not allowed after that, like the Avalon, V6 Camry, and 4cyl Solara.

That is weird…I don't get it. Either way, he said the worst thing that could happen would be the development of leaks. Our other car is a MINI, and we just replaced the engine in it. I don't want to go through that again, so that's why we bought the 4Runner. (I'm super crazy about maintenance, so the MINI issue was a shock. MINI's are not like Toyotas.) I'm thinking it's pretty difficult to damage a Toyota engine with the wrong oil? I could be wrong though. I mean…at least it has fresh oil right? It could be worse. I could go forever without ever changing the oil...:fear: