Anyone using Rotella T6 5w40?

[voodoolord]

I know how oil threads go, get the popcorn. I did several searches on Rotella and didn't get anything on the 5th gen 4runners. I run Rotella T6 synthetic in my Suzuki Hayabusa, Turbo Subaru, Cummins diesel, Revcon motorhome, 85 Ford pickup and my 78 4x4 Ford van all with great results. Mobil one broke down very quickly in the Subaru and I had to top the oil off every week. When I switched to Rotella there were no more top offs. I know you might lose some gas mileage running a thicker oil and that's ok with me but Im wondering if there is anything specific to the 4L Toyota engines that would suffer from a thicker oil. Whacha think?

 

[1engineer]

1. What does the manual say.
2. Are you smarter than the engineers who designed it.
3. Are you willing to buy a new engine if it screws up because as far as I know that oil is outside the operating parameters. Warranty will be denied.

Your call.

 

[sandcrawler]

It's almost like you didn't bother to read me...

:rtfm:

 

[m85476585]

Your engine is designed for 0W20. 5W40 is thicker, so it won't flow through small passages as well, and it won't reach all parts of the engine as well. I'm sure it's great in all the other engines you have (old, diesel, turbo, or designed for heavy oil), but I can't think of any reason why you would want to use it in a new 4runner.

 

[voodoolord]

1. What does the manual say.
2. Are you smarter than the engineers who designed it.
3. Are you willing to buy a new engine if it screws up because as far as I know that oil is outside the operating parameters. Warranty will be denied.

Your call.

Well I knew that was coming.

Per the manual:

"SAE 0-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather."

"The 20 in 0-20 indicates the viscosity of the oil when the oil is at high temperature. An oil with higher viscosity may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds or under extreme load conditions."

We don't get cold enough here in Oregon to need the 0, 5 is fine. The rig will be driven at "high" speeds most of the time meaning 75+ on the freeway. 5w40 seems to work fine in my 1300 cc motorcycle and 2.5l Subaru so I don't think the viscosity will hinder the engine due to it being a heavier oil. What API specs are required? Rotella meets CJ-4, CI-4 plus, CI-4, CH-4, CG-4/SM, JASO DH-2 and JASO MA.

 

[voodoolord]

Your engine is designed for 0W20. 5W40 is thicker, so it won't flow through small passages as well, and it won't reach all parts of the engine as well. I'm sure it's great in all the other engines you have (old, diesel, turbo, or designed for heavy oil), but I can't think of any reason why you would want to use it in a new 4runner.

See that was one of my thoughts but I didn't have any evidence either way. The EPA has screwed the auto industry badly and I know a lot of manufacturers do all sorts of things to be in compliance with their guidelines some to the detriment of the engines performance and longevity. I did notice that it stated GF-5 which is not on the Rotella jug.

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

No. Use 0w20.

Why would you ask a question if you have already made up your mind?

Thanks

:closed_2:

 

[voodoolord]

Well I hadn't made up my mind yet that's why I asked the question. I just read that the zinc in Rotella will burn out cats and 02 sensors. I like to know why something is recommended as opposed to just going along with what Im told. I was trying to find informative answers instead of "read the manual" and stuff like that. Since I don't run a cat in any of my other rigs I guess Rotella is good. With the more restrictive cats on todays gas trucks it looks like it isn't. Arent you guys ever curious?

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

I say use it and report back to us on how it works out for ya!


ound:

 

[voodoolord]

At least there is a thread here about Rotella for someone else to see when they have the same question. They can bypass the flaming, unhelpful posts and find out why it isn't recommended for the 4runners.

 

[carlomagne]

 

[voodoolord]

what does a pic of your mom have to do with anything?

 

[carlomagne]

what does a pic of your mom have to do with anything?

[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] points much?

 

[77Bronc]

VooDoo,

I suggest you stay with the recommended oil, 0W20,

Also, since you stated Mobil1 broke down, in all of my years I have never heard that. I work for the company that makes Mobil1 and we have access to some of the most sophisticated data and test results, and I can assure you, this oil is the best. As close to unicorns milk as you are going to get.

From a machinery engineers view point, 34 years, I am retiring tomorrow, I would highly suggest you stick with the manual and OEM recommendation for the weight oil.

My 2015 is three months old with 2400 miles today, mom and I took a ride to the coast, and 0W20 Mobil1 is going in when I reach 5000

Just my thoughts...BTW, we have popcorn now, watching the football game

77

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The viscosity could cause oiling issues as bearings and clearances are tighter due to the engine being blueprinted for 0w-20 and VVTi issues potentionally (by the way these days you can have a half dozen 5w-40's and they'll all flow completely different than each other, but at both Max and Min temps they'll be 5 & 40 weight.)

 

[1engineer]

At least there is a thread here about Rotella for someone else to see when they have the same question. They can bypass the flaming, unhelpful posts and find out why it isn't recommended for the 4runners.

I'm not flaming man, I'm serious. Am I curious? Sure. As a matter of fact I have a job where not only can I be curious I can figure out the answers. One part of my job is speccing different oils and synthetic fluids.

If you truly are curious go to bobistheoilguy and read all about both your fluid and the Toyota fluid. That is the best layman's resource on the web.

After that there is a thread you can search for here about the Toyota 0W20 in the 5th gen section.

Finally with engine oil you need to worry more about starting temp than running temp in a modern vehicle. Good luck and remember there are about 100 threads on oil in this subforum alone so if people tell you to search or read the manual it's because most of it has been said many times before.

 

[1engineer]

what does a pic of your mom have to do with anything?

Enough with the mom jokes. Talk about the posts, talk about the subject, make jokes about everything except the people posting, families, friends, religion and politics. None of those topics end well ever.

 

[ThorInc]

Jumping in here, 3rd Gen owner, about 240k on the odo. 5w30 to 10w30 is recommended by the manual. I have run 0w30 in the winter without issue. This spring and summer, long drIves on the weekend and towing I ran 5w40 without issue and was quite pleased with it. Still running it right now in the GWN. My engine runs a little cooler & has slightly higher oil pressure after 2 hours of towing it is significantly quieter and seems to be more effortless with the thicker oil. Now, I do run Amsoil Signature and use Liquimoly Certate additive every 3rd oil change and the engine is a 1997 and the clearance tolerances are affected by time and I am actually thinking of running a 0w30 and 5w40 blend this winter. Just posting my opinion and I certainly don't want to or think I will damage my engine but my varience from spec are not as significant as you are asking about. I am alway willing to move outside perameters but sometimes we pay to play......

 

[voodoolord]

Enough with the mom jokes. Talk about the posts, talk about the subject, make jokes about everything except the people posting, families, friends, religion and politics. None of those topics end well ever.

Not sure what a picture of some ugly dude has to do with it either. You ask a question genuinely interested on this forum and you get some good info and a bunch of people with nothing nice to say. After seeing how some people are treated here I actually hesitated to post this question but decided what the hell. Now I see why I hesitated. Im a mechanic and a pretty good one. I understand a lot about how engines and fluids work but this engine is new to me so these types of questions help me understand better if there is good info to be had. It is possible to share knowledge and opinions without being snarky and condescending.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Not sure what a picture of some ugly dude has to do with it either. You ask a question genuinely interested on this forum and you get some good info and a bunch of people with nothing nice to say. After seeing how some people are treated here I actually hesitated to post this question but decided what the hell. Now I see why I hesitated. Im a mechanic and a pretty good one. I understand a lot about how engines and fluids work but this engine is new to me so these types of questions help me understand better if there is good info to be had. It is possible to share knowledge and opinions without being snarky and condescending.

While Rotella is a great oil without doubt, I'm confused how you came to the conclusion that 5W40 would be appropriate in an engine designed for 0W20?

I'm not trying to be condescending at all, just help us understand your thinking process.