0W-20 Oil or ....?
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kenwilliams0803
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I usually use the 0W-20.
Since my 2 other vehicles use 5w-30, I had a brain fart and bought that late last fall in error. I ran it anyway even though I realized it was thicker than spec by just a little. It went through half of a NE winter and 0* startups with no issues or noises until it was time for me to change it again. No harm, no foul.
Since my 2 other vehicles use 5w-30, I had a brain fart and bought that late last fall in error. I ran it anyway even though I realized it was thicker than spec by just a little. It went through half of a NE winter and 0* startups with no issues or noises until it was time for me to change it again. No harm, no foul.
Nuke
New member
I really wouldn't feel uncomfortable running a 5W-30 but the verbiage in the OM, specifically the difference in verbiage, between "Except for Puerto Rico" and "For Puerto Rico" runs from you gotta use this! for the first and do what you want for the second.
Perhaps it's solely about Fleet Economy requirements and PR doesn't need to comply?
kenwilliams0803
New member
Maybe. Strange they only mention PR and not just blanket it to "hotter climates". Hell, if PR can run it due to climate then AZ certainly should be able to also. There has to be something extra involved there as you are thinking.
You’ll be fine with 5-30. Owner manuals used to list different weights for different temperature ranges but not so much anymore because synthetics hold up better at higher temps and low viscosity gives you better gas mileage so a 0-20/5-30 works just about everytime.
Here’s the text From the owners manual. You can see that thicker oil is allowed.
“ SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.
If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 oil may be used. However, it must be replaced with SAE 0W-20 at the next oil change.
The 0W portion of the oil viscosity rating indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows cold startability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier starting of the engine in cold weather.
The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the oil viscosity when the oil is at its operating temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity may be better suited if the vehi- cle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions”
Here’s the text From the owners manual. You can see that thicker oil is allowed.
“ SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.
If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 oil may be used. However, it must be replaced with SAE 0W-20 at the next oil change.
The 0W portion of the oil viscosity rating indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows cold startability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier starting of the engine in cold weather.
The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the oil viscosity when the oil is at its operating temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity may be better suited if the vehi- cle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions”
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Tuco Ramirez
New member
I ran 5w-30 in my 2016 for 20k miles. Zero issues. In fact, it idled a bit smoother than my current ‘19 which I am running 0W in.
Nuke
New member
^^^^^
THAT'S the part that strikes me odd whereas in the section in the OM for Puerto Rico it allows multiple viscosities.
At the moment, my '19 is not my DD and barely has 1200 miles on it. It almost sounds like it has a valve tap which makes me think too thin of an oil ( I had that on a Camry years ago). I'm planning on changing the oil due to time (the vehicle came off the line 4/19) and I've already bought the filter, oil plus the replacement metal housing. It just bugs me using 0W-20 while I have 5W-30 on hand.
IanB
New member
One factor to consider, is 0w20 is only available as a synthetic oil, from any manufacturer. So if you're going to start messing with different grades, at least stick to full synthetic oils.
When we bought our 5th gen it was used, and the used car dealer had changed the oil as part of their vehicle prep process. The engine was always sort of lethargic, and I had chalked it up to the awful drive by wire calibration. When I did my 1st oil change I used 0w20, and the difference was immediate, and obvious. The engine was much more willing to rev, and had much better power in the upper revs than before. My theory is whatever weight/quality oil the dealership had used was messing with the vvti, not allowing it to operate properly. That was just my experience, YMMV.
When we bought our 5th gen it was used, and the used car dealer had changed the oil as part of their vehicle prep process. The engine was always sort of lethargic, and I had chalked it up to the awful drive by wire calibration. When I did my 1st oil change I used 0w20, and the difference was immediate, and obvious. The engine was much more willing to rev, and had much better power in the upper revs than before. My theory is whatever weight/quality oil the dealership had used was messing with the vvti, not allowing it to operate properly. That was just my experience, YMMV.
IanB
New member
That's not really realistic, unless you have all the same vehicle, lol. And a terrible reason to use the wrong oil in your engines.
pDubs
New member
+1, it's about the tolerances, not whether you live in an area that has 100 degree weather versus 90, lol.
The vehicle's operating temp will still be controlled by the cooling system. I could understand the argument of running a higher flow radiator or upgraded cooling system but not running the wrong oil.
The vehicle's operating temp will still be controlled by the cooling system. I could understand the argument of running a higher flow radiator or upgraded cooling system but not running the wrong oil.
Not entirely true, if that was the case it wouldn’t have a range of suitable oils for different markets.
Obviously you shouldn’t go throwing in 40 or 50 weight oil but jumping up to 5w30 won’t be a big deal and, as the manual says, could be beneficial based on how the vehicle is operated. The initial number is entirely relevant to cold temps. The colder the environment the lower number you want.
0w-20 is just the best way to improve gas mileage while forcing people to use a synthetic oil that will work fine at high temps and low temps.
83Mule
New member
In a jurisdiction where the EPA holds no sway, Yota is on board with a variety of weights for the exact same Engine as the States. The recommended oil isn't the ''best'' oil for the engine.....it's the one the EPA and CAFE requirements dictated. That's all you need to know as to how the difference came about. Up to 10/30 in a non-Arctic condition will work at the expense of some MPG loss.
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