This subject has been beat to death I guess, but I will beat it some more. I have not done my first oil change on my new Rav4. I currently have 325 miles on it so far. I am not going to use the Amsoil or Red Line oils, though they are obviously great products. I am struggling trying to decide between the Toyota TGMO 0w-16, Schaeffer 9000 0w-16 or Liqui Moly Special Tec AA 0w-16. I have also looked at Castrol Edge 0w-16. I am leaning towards the Toyota oil, which I have never used. TGMO has an extremely high level of Moly showing up in the Oil analysis of it and is supposedly blended by Mobil to Toyota specs. I have used Liqui Moly and Schaeffer oil before in other vehicles and really liked it. Liqui Moly, 5w-30 4600, I used in the past improved the performance and quieted down the sound at idle of that car. I had similar results with Schaeffer oil. However, I have never ran a thin 0w-16 engine oil before in anything. I am not going to go the 10,000-mile oil change intervals that Toyota allows. Actually, in my case my local Toyota service department recommended 5000 mile, or 6 month change intervals, whichever comes first. We only drive around town here, not much longer trip highway miles for us. I could probably get by with the cheapest 0w-16 within API spec oil out there, but I will probably use one of the oils listed above. I am looking for advice and opinions. My local Toyota dealer will be doing the oil changes and service work. They allow me to carry in my own oil and oil filters, just as long as they meet specs. I also wonder if there would be anything gained by adding a can of the BG MOA #115 oil additive. I would think with these better-quality oils MOA is a waste of money. I like to read about this stuff, I would appreciate your advice and opinions please. Thanks
2025 Toyota Rav4 personal engine oil struggle.
- Thread starter GI_GRIFF
- Start date
You have a new car. No need for additive, just straight whatever oil you want (cheap or expensive).
And 325 miles is still too early for an OC.
When I bought my new Sienna in 2017, I changed at 1000 and 5000 mi myself using some dino oil that was stashed in my garage.
The car still runs smoothly (purring like a kitten) till now, 8 years later.
And 325 miles is still too early for an OC.
When I bought my new Sienna in 2017, I changed at 1000 and 5000 mi myself using some dino oil that was stashed in my garage.
The car still runs smoothly (purring like a kitten) till now, 8 years later.
Thanks.
If you're worried about the warranty (since you're having the dealer change it) just use their oil. One less thing to argue about if it ever comes up.
I'm sure your owner's manual says not to use oil additives, at best you're wasting money, at worse you're throwing random ingredients in a fully-formulated product.
I'm sure your owner's manual says not to use oil additives, at best you're wasting money, at worse you're throwing random ingredients in a fully-formulated product.
Appreciate the info.
Unless Toyota has changed their owners manual verbiage, alternative viscosities are acceptable. I would personally use a 30 weight oil, and do so in my 22 Camry that specs 0w16 as well.
The regional Toyota Rep told my dealership using MOA would not threaten my warranty, however I am thinking you are right about not using it. It shouldn't need it. I may go with the Toyota oil, just because it would be easier. Thanks for your input.
I own a 19 RV4 Hybrid. Do an early oil change, and then follow the dealers 5k, 6 month recommendations. Use TGMO 0W-16, and OEM filter.
And then don't worry about it. It will last a long time, and enjoy the ride.
And then don't worry about it. It will last a long time, and enjoy the ride.
I have the same engine.
I believe you get at least 2 free oil changes as part of the base Toyota service plan. I would check your docs because you may get more - for example SE Toyota forces everyone into the Platinum plan. I let the dealer change mine with whatever they have, and I did the oil changes on the 6 month interval (they will only do it every year / 10K on the Toyota Service plan).
If your doing 5K OCI or less, I wouldn't worry much about what your using. On the ones I did from memory I did Penzoil Platinum 0W-16 once, and M1 0W-20 - don't remember which variant. I did the first change at around 2000 miles, and 5K or less every additional.
I am now out of warranty and am running M1EP 5W-30, and plan to stick with it going forward.
I believe you get at least 2 free oil changes as part of the base Toyota service plan. I would check your docs because you may get more - for example SE Toyota forces everyone into the Platinum plan. I let the dealer change mine with whatever they have, and I did the oil changes on the 6 month interval (they will only do it every year / 10K on the Toyota Service plan).
If your doing 5K OCI or less, I wouldn't worry much about what your using. On the ones I did from memory I did Penzoil Platinum 0W-16 once, and M1 0W-20 - don't remember which variant. I did the first change at around 2000 miles, and 5K or less every additional.
I am now out of warranty and am running M1EP 5W-30, and plan to stick with it going forward.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
May want to check what their bulk oil is since you're picky about it. Might not be TGMO.
can't see why a dealer would ever deny a warranty claim because they were the ones changing the oil
If I go the TGMO route, which would be the easiest, I will pay an extra $20.00 per service to use the 5 qt. of 0w-16 TGMO of the shelf. I will not use their bulk oil. I already looked into this. Thanks
If the dealer let's you supply your own oil, I'd let them use the factory filter and use Mobil1 0w20 EP
Change every 5k. Picking filters lately is a glorified game of Wack-A-Mole, with constantly changing moles, use the filter they warranty the engine with, most likely just fine with 5k intervals. JMHO based on what has worked for me.
Change every 5k. Picking filters lately is a glorified game of Wack-A-Mole, with constantly changing moles, use the filter they warranty the engine with, most likely just fine with 5k intervals. JMHO based on what has worked for me.
What bulk do they use? Just curios.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
They won't do it, spec is 0w-16.
Spec on mine says 0W-20 is acceptable "if 0W-16 is not available", and requires a 5000 OCI (likely to sneak by CAFE requirements).
Wouldn't surprise me at all of there bulk was 0W-20 and they use it in everything.
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