Oil viscosity

[Nuke]

Guys, forgive me but my laptop crapped the bed and the forum search won't work on my tablet.

I know there's a LOT of opinion on switching from the 0W20 specified in our (US) OMs. I live in Florida and despite the occasional (2-4times?) dip in temperatures below freezing, our vehicles are garage kept. Can anyone convince me that 5W20 or 5W30 is just fine for our 4.0 engines? I typically use Pennzoil Platinum in our 4 vehicles and am getting g tired of stocking 3 different viscosity oils.

 

[delloro]

Guys, forgive me but my laptop crapped the bed and the forum search won't work on my tablet.

I know there's a LOT of opinion on switching from the 0W20 specified in our (US) OMs. I live in Florida and despite the occasional (2-4times?) dip in temperatures below freezing, our vehicles are garage kept. Can anyone convince me that 5W20 or 5W30 is just fine for our 4.0 engines? I typically use Pennzoil Platinum in our 4 vehicles and am getting tired of stocking 3 different viscosity oils.

If anybody can, it's the Puerto Ricans.

 

[Saker]

Guys, forgive me but my laptop crapped the bed and the forum search won't work on my tablet.

I know there's a LOT of opinion on switching from the 0W20 specified in our (US) OMs. I live in Florida and despite the occasional (2-4times?) dip in temperatures below freezing, our vehicles are garage kept. Can anyone convince me that 5W20 or 5W30 is just fine for our 4.0 engines? I typically use Pennzoil Platinum in our 4 vehicles and am getting g tired of stocking 3 different viscosity oils.

Well, stock that one as well
There are good reasons the engineers chose 0W20 Toyota engine oil.
Unless you have mega miles and excessive oil burn, my answer would be no.
There is also good reason they warranty these engines with 0W20 and 10000 mi oil changes.

YMMV

 

[LandCruiser]

I used 5w20 once or twice because I had a lot laying around at one point.

Won’t hurt anything. Won’t help anything.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

I seriously doubt that guys on a car forum know more about what oil is best for your car than the people who built it and they say -> 0W-20.

So...use 0W-20

 

[Nuke]

I suppose my thoughts on going to 5W20 or 5W30 was based on a post I had read before my laptop died regarding the oil recommended in the 5th generation T4R OMs in other countries that don't go by our CAFE requirements. If I recall, 5W30 was recommended for 30 degrees F and below with 10W40 being ONE of the thicker weights for temps above 30.

 

[delloro]

I suppose my thoughts on going to 5W20 or 5W30 was based on a post I had read before my laptop died regarding the oil recommended in the 5th generation T4R OMs in other countries that don't go by our CAFE requirements. If I recall, 5W30 was recommended for 30 degrees F and below with 10W40 being ONE of the thicker weights for temps above 30.

The manual gives different viscosity specs for Puerto Rico. Others do as well, IIRC Australia and one or more gulf states. But PR must be getting the same 4Runners we are, and their climate is not too different than FL.

 

[JLTD]

0w-20 is CAFE, and the owner's manual is no longer written solely by the engineers. Manufacturers are required to recommend only the oil that was used in gov't mpg tests. Since 0w-20 does give a (very) small increase in mpg the corporations save a bunch of money on gov't penalties and such.

Currently using 5w-30 with no apparent change in how it runs or starts. Will be trying 5w-40 in a year or so. I've read the owner's manual and it says something to the effect that a thicker oil is required for high speed, mountains, towing etc. I'll pull an excerpt if anyone wants, but it is in your manual as well.

But don't take my word for it, here's a page out of the Australian manual for our engines:

 

[Nobody Special]

Go read manuals for hot climate countries.
0W20 is for MPG in the USA.
Nothing more, nothing less.

In desert climates in foreign countries, for the SAME engines, you see 5W40 10w40 and other grades.

But, it is your engine.

 

[Nobody Special]

I seriously doubt that guys on a car forum know more about what oil is best for your car than the people who built it and they say -> 0W-20.

So...use 0W-20

Has more to do with the EPA.

Online, you can find Toyota manuals for hot climate countries and see how the SAME engines call for different grades based on temperature.

 

[Nobody Special]

0w-20 is CAFE, and the owner's manual is no longer written solely by the engineers. Manufacturers are required to recommend only the oil that was used in gov't mpg tests. Since 0w-20 does give a small increase in mpg the corporations save a bunch of money.

Currently using 5w-30 with no change, and will be trying 5w-40 in a year or so. I've read the owner's manual and it says something to the effect that a thicker oil is required for high speed, mountains, towing etc. I'll pull an excerpt if anyone wants, but it is in your manual as well.

But don't take my word for it, here's a page out of the Australian manual for our engines:

https://i.imgur.com/ay9CIeb.jpg

Having some trouble posting image properly from phone, will fix later.

 

[JLTD]

Thanks...my phone can be a struggle.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Ah the old oil debate. People everywhere are blowing up engines left and right on 0-20.

 

[LandCruiser]

As others said, if ENGINEERS wrote the manual they'd give you a chart and let you pick the oil weight by your temperature and driving needs.

 

[Nobody Special]

Ah the old oil debate. People everywhere are blowing up engines left and right on 0-20.

In another decade, it will be 0w10.
A decade after that -5w0

:bolt:

 

[Nobody Special]

As others said, if ENGINEERS wrote the manual they'd give you a chart and let you pick the oil weight by your temperature and driving needs.

Let's open a new can of worms in this thread.
Nobody is talking oil pressure. :flamewar:

 

[Whippersnapper02]

In another decade, it will be 0w10.
A decade after that -5w0

:bolt:

Viscosity doesn't matter as long as you run the power trio mix of Slick 50, Prolong and Lucas oil stabilizer in with the oil. :toilet:

 

[Saker]

As others said, if ENGINEERS wrote the manual they'd give you a chart and let you pick the oil weight by your temperature and driving needs.

In another decade, it will be 0w10.
A decade after that -5w0

:bolt:

Let's open a new can of worms in this thread.
Nobody is talking oil pressure. :flamewar:

..........................:dammit: Is it too late for me to back out of this thread? :wow2: :hiding:


opcorn:

 

[Nobody Special]

Viscosity doesn't matter as long as you run the power trio mix of Slick 50, Prolong and Lucas oil stabilizer in with the oil. :toilet:

:banana::hail::hail:

Bingo!

But, The trifecta can be made much more bettererer by adding in ZMAX and Motor Up.

 

[Nobody Special]

..........................:dammit: Is it too late for me to back out of this thread? :wow2: :hiding:


opcorn:

YES! :whipping2

I have 9 Toyotas in the fleet now. The "youngest" has 170k miles on it and is rarely driven these days.
I use 5W40 in everything.
Been doing so since the very first oil change on each.
They ONLY see the dealer if it is recall/warranty work.