0W20 oil

[ron in sc]

Does 0w20 weight syn. oil really provide better bearing lubrication than heavier weight oil? With ambient temps 65 degrees to over 100 degrees.

I have 2012 toyota 4runner and it recommend the 0w20. Seems like reason are based on marketing, emissions, and fuel mileage. As well as fact that was probably the oil the engine was tested with.

So wouldn't a heavier syn be better?

 

[synthetic_crazy]

CATERHAM is the person to answer this question. However, a heavier syn would not be better for your engine. Personally, I like to use the thinnest oil I can in my car.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Car companies with reputation as Toyota or Honda do not need to increase gas mileage by 1 MPG with xW20. They tested the recommended grade extensively and if it did not protect the engine well they did not approve it.

Most car manufactures test their vehicles at Death Valley in summer, if it passed 120+ degree there it should not have any problem at other area in USA with summer heat.

 

[ron in sc]

Quote:
I like to use the thinnest oil I can in my car.


I have two older Mercedes vehicles and I have always run Mobil 1 15W50, which I also run in an air cooled Porsche. The Mercedes suv and wagon both have over 167K miles on them.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Imo,thinner oil=better mileage/thicker oil=more protection (all within reason of course). You don`t want to use a mono grade 70 weight in a Prius,and you don`t want to run a 0W5 in a 70`s era 501 V8. It`s a give and take.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: ron in sc
Does 0w20 weight syn. oil really provide better bearing lubrication than heavier weight oil? With ambient temps 65 degrees to over 100 degrees.

I have 2012 toyota 4runner and it recommend the 0w20. Seems like reason are based on marketing, emissions, and fuel mileage. As well as fact that was probably the oil the engine was tested with.

So wouldn't a heavier syn be better?

What Toyota is recommending is THEIR 0W-20 which is a unique 0W-20 formulation. There is nothing else like it made in the States. It's main claim to fame is it's untra high 216 viscosity index which means it's very light on start-up while retaining it's high viscosity at operating temp's. It also has a very robust anti-wear additive package.
Synthetic oil today is much more shear stable than oils of only a few years ago consiquently a lighter oil can be specified with the knowledge that it will retain it's viscosity to the end of a long drain interval. Running a heavier less efficient 30wt oil has proven to be simply unnecessary even under the most demanding conditions.

The following is the VOA of the Mobil made Toyota 0W-20:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2409059#Post2409059

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
What Toyota is recommending is THEIR 0W-20 which is a unique 0W-20 formulation.


I disagree. They recommend a 0W-20 meeting API GL4/5 and SM/SN (depending on when the owner's manual was printed). They don't recommend a certain brand.

 

[ron in sc]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
What Toyota is recommending is THEIR 0W-20 which is a unique 0W-20 formulation.


I disagree. They recommend a 0W-20 meeting API GL4/5 and SM/SN (depending on when the owner's manual was printed). They don't recommend a certain brand.


I have 2012 4runner. I'm trying to scan and then post the relevet page that deals with oil. I quick reading seems to indicate that 0W20 is not the oil for all driving conditions and environments.

 

[rcy]

Toyota 'probably' has a better idea of what oil to use in their engines than you or I.

Still this is BITOG. Feel free to run whatever you want and let us know how it goes. Warranty claims may be a concern.

From the 2012 4Runner manual - taken from the online manual at www.toyota.com

"■ Engine oil selection

“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in your Toyota vehicle. Use
Toyota approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to satisfy the following grade and viscosity.

Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil

Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-20

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.

Oil viscosity (0W-20 is explained here as an example):
● The 0W in 0W-20 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 viscosity characteristic of the oil when the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions.

 

[ron in sc]

What follows is exactly what the Owner's Manual that came with my 4runner says. The manual states 2012 Toyota Motor Corporation.

Page 637.

Engine oil selection
"Toyota Genuine Motor Oil" is used in your Toyota vehicle. Use Toyota approved "Toyota Genuine Motor Oil" or equivalent to satisfy the following grade and viscosity.

Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil

Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-20

It then has a chart that has arrow that shows 0W20 can be used when outside temperature is from -20 degrees F to 100 degrees F.

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

If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used. However, it must be replaced with SAE 0W-20 at the next oil change.

Oil vliscosity (0W-20 is explained here as an example):

*Oil viscosity (0w-20 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows cold startability. Oils iwth a lower value before the W allow for easier starting of the engine in cold weather.

*The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher value) may be betterr suited if the vehicle is operated at hgih speeds, or uder extreme load conditions.

My vehicle will be operated in temps exceeding 100 degrees F and never in temps below say 20 degrees F.

I think it is clear they are not mandating the use of 0W-20 for all users. Any contray opinions?

 

[Eddie]

NO

 

[rcy]

Notice the arrow heads on the chart go beyond the -20 and the 100. To me this means use 0w20 for any temperature. They state as much in the text - Use 0W20. If you can't find it, use 5W20. If you do that, replace it with 0W20 at the next oil change. Nowhere do they state to use any other grades.

 

[Capa]

0W-20 is the recommended viscocity. 5W-20 is allowed if you can't find 0W-20, but you shoud return to 0W-20. That seems clear to me

 

[ron in sc]

Quote:
Notice the arrow heads on the chart go beyond the -20 and the 100


In my manual the arrow heads end at the temps indicated; they do not go on to infinity. If Toyota wanted to indicate the temp range was higher or lower they would have made a chart indicating as much.

 

[rcy]

Originally Posted By: ron in sc
Quote:
Notice the arrow heads on the chart go beyond the -20 and the 100


In my manual the arrow heads end at the temps indicated; they do not go on to infinity. If Toyota wanted to indicate the temp range was higher or lower they would have made a chart indicating as much.



If they wanted you to use other grades, they would indicate as much in the owner's manual.

My chart is taken directly from www.toyota.com Seeing as the text is exactly the same as in your post, it's odd that the chart would be different. As can be seen the arrowheads definitely go past the -20 and 100 indicators.

I'm done posting here. Seems you've made your mind up to run whatever you want in the vehicle - makes me wonder why you started the thread in the first place.

 

[ron in sc]

Quote:
As can be seen the arrowheads definitely go past the -20 and 100 indicators



You are correct the arrow on the minus side does go to what would be -30 degrees F. The arrow on the + side does stop at what would be 110 degrees F.

If one drives in rather high ambient temps, at high speeds or under other exteme conditions like pulling a trailer it seems clear at least to me that Toyota is not saying that 0W-20 is the right oil for every 2012 4runner.

 

[CATERHAM]

Ambient temperatures in excess of 100F doesn't automatically mean you will experience higher than normal oil temp's.
If the vehicle is driven in a normal manner oil temp's will not be excessive to the point that a heavier oil grade would be warranted.
As Toyota mentioned a heavier oil grade could be "better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions." Continuous high speeds is not possible in NA, so unless the OP plans on doing some heavy towing on a hot day where a lot of WOT is required, a heavier than spec' oil will not be necessary.

 

[JAC43]

What does this same engine on different continents use?

Link

 

[BeerCan]

Originally Posted By: ron in sc
Quote:
As can be seen the arrowheads definitely go past the -20 and 100 indicators



You are correct the arrow on the minus side does go to what would be -30 degrees F. The arrow on the + side does stop at what would be 110 degrees F.

If one drives in rather high ambient temps, at high speeds or under other exteme conditions like pulling a trailer it seems clear at least to me that Toyota is not saying that 0W-20 is the right oil for every 2012 4runner.


Why do you suppose toyota used and arrow, instead of a blunt line in that chart?
Why no mention of any other oil grade?

 

[ron in sc]

Originally Posted By: JAC43
What does this same engine on different continents use?

Link




Thanks for link.

It confirms what I thought. Mercedes went to these very thin and wide temp range oils as a marketing ploy in my opinion.

I would agree with the other posters in the thread you linked to as being right on as far as thin oil being used to meet CAFE standards.

The Pdf posted in the link is as it has always been. Use appropriate oil for temperature range and usage.