For 2018 V6 Highlanders, Toyota specs 5K mileage intervals when using 5w20 and 10k mileage intervals using 0w20. What is the rationale for this?
5w20 synthetics are inferior to 0w20?
2018 Highlander oil change schedule
- Thread starter digitalSniperX1
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if you're getting into the weeds, you should provide the full quote so it can be parsed.
https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms-s/T-MMS-18Highlander/pdf/T-MMS-18Highlander.pdf
The recommendation is only meant to cover the lowest common denomiator of a 5w20 mineral oil. There is not quite as specific an instruction that you can make regarding a 5w20 synthetic oil so on that middle ground you are somewhat on your own to decide.
From Toyota's point of view, they are "certifying" saying they tested TGMO 0w20 for 10k, and also implicitly certifying any 5w20 mineral for 5k.
They didn't test 5w20 so they have nothing to say about it and can't claim it's "certified".
The line items indicate
NOTE: If 0W-20 oil WAS NOT used at
the last oil change, replace engine oil
and oil filter
but the footer appendix goes into the detail
NOTE: Your vehicle is certified with
Genuine Toyota 0W20 motor oil. For
VEHICLES CERTIFIED FOR 0W20 motor
oil, the oil change interval is 10,000 miles
or 12 months IF 0W20 MOTOR OIL IS
BEING USED. If 0W20 is not available,
5W20 mineral oil may be used. However,
it must be replaced at A 5,000 miles or
6 month INTERVAL with 0W20 motor oil.
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It probably says that since TGMO doesn't have a 5w20 full synthetic oil. But they do have a 5w20 which I believe is a synthetic blend.
Originally Posted By: raytseng
if you're getting into the weeds, you should provide the full quote so it can be parsed.
https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms-s/T-MMS-18Highlander/pdf/T-MMS-18Highlander.pdf
The recommendation is only meant to cover the lowest common denomiator of a 5w20 mineral oil. There is not quite as specific an instruction that you can make regarding a 5w20 synthetic oil so on that middle ground you are somewhat on your own to decide.
From Toyota's point of view, they didn't test 5w20 so they have nothing to say about it and don't claim it's "certified".
The line items indicate
NOTE: If 0W-20 oil WAS NOT used at
the last oil change, replace engine oil
and oil filter
but the footer appendix goes into the detail
NOTE: Your vehicle is certified with
Genuine Toyota 0W20 motor oil. For
VEHICLES CERTIFIED FOR 0W20 motor
oil, the oil change interval is 10,000 miles
or 12 months IF 0W20 MOTOR OIL IS
BEING USED. If 0W20 is not available,
5W20 mineral oil may be used. However,
it must be replaced at A 5,000 miles or
6 month INTERVAL with 0W20 motor oil.
Fair enough. Thanks. That little footnote clears it up. 5w20 in this context apparently implies conventional.
Originally Posted By: digitalSniperX1
Fair enough. Thanks. That little footnote clears it up. 5w20 in this context apparently implies conventional.
The argument on the flipside is if you can't figure out this instruction, perhaps self maintenance isn't for you and you should just take your car to the dealer or other mechanic when the light triggers or the dealership sends you a reminder.
If you can't parse the above instructions, theres no chance you can actually follow the Toyota service instructions precisely. aif that's the case you can just stick to forum DIYs where some enthusiast will also tell you what oil to use with pictures and youtube videos.
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I know Toyota used to say 10k for synthetic, 5k for dino. The new OCI spec is probably in line with that, as almost all 0w20 is synthetic. The 0w20 syn blend mostly went away with SN, and especially dexos.
And as stated by others, there's no TGMO 5w30 synthetic.
A 5w20 synthetic will be fine for 10k with no problems 
Those Toyota specs don't phase me at all. I'd change the oil when I want to and I guarantee you it would not be one inch over 5000 miles no matter what the oil is.
Yeh they'd do readers a favor if they studied a little technical writing.
Oil change interval- whichever comes first in these two options:
1. 1 yr/10K miles using synthetic 0w20 (preferred)
2. 6 mo/5K miles using conventional 5w20
Honda manuals are far better written.
You dont want to read a Kawasaki Service Manual where the japanese writers need some serious help with their English writing skills.
Yeh I'm sure 5w20 synthetic would be fine at 10k but the manual exludes this as a specific statement.
Originally Posted By: digitalSniperX1
Yeh they'd do readers a favor if they studied a little technical writing.
Oil change interval- whichever comes first in these two options:
1. 1 yr/10K miles using synthetic 0w20 (preferred)
2. 6 mo/5K miles using conventional 5w20
Honda manuals are far better written.
You dont want to read a Kawasaki Service Manual where the japanese writers need some serious help with their English writing skills.
IKEA... just some oak and some pine and a handful of Norsemen
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Those Toyota specs don't phase me at all. I'd change the oil when I want to and I guarantee you it would not be one inch over 5000 miles no matter what the oil is.
Originally Posted By: digitalSniperX1
Yeh they'd do readers a favor if they studied a little technical writing.
Oil change interval- whichever comes first in these two options:
1. 1 yr/10K miles using synthetic 0w20 (preferred)
2. 6 mo/5K miles using conventional 5w20
Originally Posted By: HosteenJorje
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Those Toyota specs don't phase me at all. I'd change the oil when I want to and I guarantee you it would not be one inch over 5000 miles no matter what the oil is.
Originally Posted By: SilverSnake
Originally Posted By: HosteenJorje
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Those Toyota specs don't phase me at all. I'd change the oil when I want to and I guarantee you it would not be one inch over 5000 miles no matter what the oil is.
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