'07 1GR-FE switch from 5W-30 to 5W-20 used oil analysis

[OrdnanceMarine]

Here's the used oil analysis on my '07 1GR-FE 4WD. First sample was standard Mobil 1 5W-30 that the previous owner had been using for every change since the truck was new. I went ahead and wanted to see how a 5W-20 from a similar class of oil would perform so when I did my first oil change I switched to Pennzoil Platinum and from the Toyota OEM filter to an upsized Purolator Pureone.

This truck is my wifes daily driver for toting kids around so it usualy sees a cold start followed by 1-5 miles of small city driving followed by sitting for an hour or two and then repeat maybe and average of 4 times per day. I use it for toting a small trailer (less than 1000 lb) about twice per month going to the dump and for other misc. chores around town that require a trailer. I also do some moderate off-road driving and took it on two camping trips to the high Sierra Nevada with a cargo carrier on top and on back and spent good bits of time in 4LO on various trails throughout the forest. I would say that this truck sees moderate usage overall and think that Blackstone took my comments about the towing and off-roading a little more seriously in their comments than I do.

I was a little nervous about the 5W-20 vs. 5W-30, thinking that Toyota may have issued the TSB with the interest of fuel economy over longevity. Looks like I can forget about that being an issue as this run was definitely harder than the previous run and the results are a little better. This oil continues to be in service and I plan on changing it somewhere around 6-7k without sampling. I will probably go to ~6500 miles on the next change before sampling as I gradually feel out how long I should be going between changes.

 

[jimithing]

Did Toyota issue a TSB saying to use 5w-20 instead of 5w-30? I know nothing about Penzoil Platinum. Is the general feeling that PP is better than M1?

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

Did Toyota issue a TSB saying to use 5w-20 instead of 5w-30? I know nothing about Penzoil Platinum. Is the general feeling that PP is better than M1?

TSB was issued in March of 2006 though there's some conflicting information even in the TSB itself about whether to follow what's on the fill cap or in the TSB (see first NOTE towards the top of the TSB). The GR series engine is listed in the chart showing engines approved for 5W-20.

As far as to whether Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum is better? Both oils are good but I've seen quite a number of examples via BITOG that give the edge to Pennzoil Platinum in the 5W-20 and 5W-30 grades. I saw a slight but noticable improvement in iron especially when I changed from Mobil 1 5W-20 in my '05Honda CR-V and now I've seen a slight improvement here with my '07 1GR-FE 4Runner. TBN retention seems to be a little better which ought to give you a little bit longer oil life or at least more margin if you happen to leave your oil in longer than planned. Add to that the fact that I was able to get the Pennzoil Platinum for less money than the Mobil 1 and it's my choice oil for the time being. I am out of 5W-20 on my shelf right now but have about 25 quarts of 5W-30 and haven't made up my mind whether to use it for another comparison or to buy some fresh 5W-20 (or even 0W-20) and continue this direction.

 

[blaniac22]

TSB was issued in March of 2006 though there's some conflicting information even in the TSB itself about whether to follow what's on the fill cap or in the TSB (see first NOTE towards the top of the TSB). The GR series engine is listed in the chart showing engines approved for 5W-20.

I know it's been awhile for this little thread, but I was doing some looking around here and on BITOG. It seems there is still some confusion by some people about whether or not 5W20 can be used in the 4Runner engines.

Personally, I changed to Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W20 with my last oil change with the M1 filter. Change time is coming due, and everything appears fine and haven't used a drop of oil.

Since the change is due, I took the time to email both Toyota and my local dealership about the use of 5W20 and the TSB. Here are the responses - shouldn't be any surprise to most of us:

- From Toyota: "...you may use the 5W-20 per the TSB and it will not compromise the engine's performance or longevity."

- From the dealer: "If you get an oil change from our dealership, we will use 5W-20 on your 2007 4Runner since the GR series engine is compatible with 5W-20."

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

Good to know.

I plan on contuning UOAs on my engine and will post the results. I just bought two 5-qt jugs of Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20 and will be using these. This will be the SN formulation versus the previous SM so I expect to see some change in the additives but it should continue to give good results. I will probably be changing it in the month and expect the cooler weather to negatively affect my results slightly.

 

[pickerdd]

Sorry for the dumb question, but what's the advantage of moving from 5W-30 to 5W-20?

Thanks,

 

[<<<<]

EPA drive to improve MPG. Most new cars use 5W-20.

Here is my $ 0.02: 4.0L V6 from 2003 to 2009 was created with specs to use 5W-30. Newer Toyotas use 5W-20. Dealer service buys multiple 55 (US) gallon drums of oil. For purpose of inventory and price it make sense to purchase same stuff. Thus 5W-20 and TSB telling that it's ok to use it in most engines.

I buy one 5 gallon plus 1 quart of oil, therefore it makes no diff to me what I get. 5W-30 per original specs.

 

[Uneek]

EPA drive to improve MPG. Most new cars use 5W-20.

Here is my $ 0.02: 4.0L V6 from 2003 to 2009 was created with specs to use 5W-30. Newer Toyotas use 5W-20. Dealer service buys multiple 55 (US) gallon drums of oil. For purpose of inventory and price it make sense to purchase same stuff. Thus 5W-20 and TSB telling that it's ok to use it in most engines.

I buy one 5 gallon plus 1 quart of oil, therefore it makes no diff to me what I get. 5W-30 per original specs.

:iagree: although Toyota says it's ok to use 5w-20, when the engine was on the drawing board it was 5w-30 that was originally spec'd. That's why I stick with 5w-30.

 

[Climb14er]

I'm sure that 5W-20 can be used in the 4Runner. As mentioned, dealers are moving to one oil, the 5W-20 for mileage (and other) purposes.

My 2007 V8 calls for 5W-30 and that's what I put in it.

The 2007 burns no oil, starts up very easy in the cold winter and performs well in the extreme heat of the summer. I also run synthetic Pennzoil Platinum.

I could easily put in 5W-20, 0W-30, 0W-40 and so on... but why?

I'd recommend a person sticking with the recommended viscosity that originally came directly from the factory.

After all, isn't this what the engineers, designers and the factory recommended for warranty, longevity, etc? :

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

I'm sure that 5W-20 can be used in the 4Runner. As mentioned, dealers are moving to one oil, the 5W-20 for mileage (and other) purposes.

My 2007 V8 calls for 5W-30 and that's what I put in it.

The 2007 burns no oil, starts up very easy in the cold winter and performs well in the extreme heat of the summer. I also run synthetic Pennzoil Platinum.

I could easily put in 5W-20, 0W-30, 0W-40 and so on... but why?

I'd recommend a person sticking with the recommended viscosity that originally came directly from the factory.

After all, isn't this what the engineers, designers and the factory recommended for warranty, longevity, etc? :

I understand your point but give this some thought: Engine oil specs have significantly changed over time. Lubricants generally have improved significantly over recent years with regard to thermal stability, deposit control, etc. (See API SM vs. SN or ILSAC GF-4 vs GF-5). Could it be that perhaps Toyota needed a 5w-30 meeting whatever spec was standard at the time the engine was certified to meet their performance criteria? Could it be that as the number of offerings in GF-4 5w-20 oils grew in 2005-forward that these new oils did everything that Toyota needed while at the same time offering better fuel economy and better cooling? (remember that a thinner oil will transfer heat more efficiently than a thicker oil).

An example of this would be the Honda S2000, which was spec'ed for 10w-30 in 1999. These engines (as will all high-reving Honda engines) were notorious for shearing oil like nothing else (ever seen what the piston speeds were?). Honda needed shear stability that could only be found in a 10w-30 oil at that time. Well, time marched on and oils improved and now there are great 5w-30 oils and even at least one 0w-30 oil that have the shear stability at operating temp that the 10w-30 had (when it acts like a 30-weight oil) but flow much better at lower-than-operational temps (remember that NO oil is thin enough at startup!). Honda "built-in" the fact that an Xw-30 oil will shear towards a 20-grade oil. If a perfect oil could be build that didn't shear (and was cost effective) then these engines could likely be spec'ed for a 20-grade oil.

I bet Toyota's change had more to do with the fact that oils have improved than concern about fuel economy. After all, what does Toyota care about CAFE standards once their products are in operation?