This 3.5 calls for 0w20 from Toyota, however there are a lot of people from other forums that swear by 5w30. Follow the book, or go rogue?
2GR-FKS 0w-20 or 5w-30?
- Thread starter Johnny248
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5W-30 is fine.
I normally follow the book for my cars.
At the end of the day, I doubt it makes a difference one way or the other.
The 0w-20 might be a little better in very cold temperatures.
At the end of the day, I doubt it makes a difference one way or the other.
The 0w-20 might be a little better in very cold temperatures.
Whatever the voices tell you. 
The 0W-20 will maybe be better at a temp well below 0 Degrees. What that temp is will be debatable.
2017 Tacoma OR (6mt) with 115k miles: After almost exclusively TGMO 0w-20 I tried HPL 0w-30 last fall. Unless I am REALLY "Cork sniffing" I cannot say there is a difference. Just drained it after 8k and sample is on the way to blackstone. I'll try to remember to post results here when they come back.
(Not that I had a problem with TGMO 0w-20, price for me went up ~20% since my parts guy took a LOA, so figured the HPL was worth a shot).
FWIW, I'm a Toyota fan, but I do not love this engine, especially the DFI ticking and lack of low end TQ (And for what? to average ~19mpg) Maybe one day I bite the bullett and get an aftermarket tune. Fingers crossed it holds up to the Toyota reputation and I get 375K+ out of it like my last one.
(Not that I had a problem with TGMO 0w-20, price for me went up ~20% since my parts guy took a LOA, so figured the HPL was worth a shot).
FWIW, I'm a Toyota fan, but I do not love this engine, especially the DFI ticking and lack of low end TQ (And for what? to average ~19mpg) Maybe one day I bite the bullett and get an aftermarket tune. Fingers crossed it holds up to the Toyota reputation and I get 375K+ out of it like my last one.
It can handle anything from 0w20 5w30 and 0w40..not a picky engine. I have been running 5w30 and 0w40 in mine for years, I wouldn’t blink at an OCI of 0w20 either depending on planned service.
It's a great engine and especially with your manual, doubt you'll have any problems if you stick with the maintenance. 5k/6 month intervals. Coolant, diffs, etc. I'm sure you know.
Some leaks are starting to pop up on this engine. I think timing chain cover?
You might have to drop the engine once in its life.
Please do post UOA's, I feel like we're lacking a database here for Tacoma's. I'm presently running a test on my own truck between different differential and transfer case lubes. My last drain of the three is in the UOA section
Highly recommend a tune, it will be a brand new truck. I've been tuned since the truck has had ~8000kms with a few different ones.
Full disclosure, I am a YotaWerx tuner now.
0W-20 is supposed to be good down to -40F according to several documents I have seen, including API labs. Not sure what's debatable?
As would any grade with a 0W winter rating.
so is 0w40 I run year round in the eco and macan. -35C isn't uncommon around here.
I have 150k on the previous version (2GR-FE) with almost nothing but Kirkland 0w20 and a Toyota filter changed between 5000 and 7500 depending on use and all that, no issues and no burning.
It’s a good engine with few issues, I’ve towed through the desert fully loaded in late May, as well as driven through snow storms close to 0 degrees f with this regimen and all good, same goes for many others, so that is what I’d go with unless you modify it or something.
Even “cheap” oil changed every 7500 or less with (IMO the most important part) an OEM or very similar quality filter you’ll likely have no issues with the Toyota 3.5
It’s a good engine with few issues, I’ve towed through the desert fully loaded in late May, as well as driven through snow storms close to 0 degrees f with this regimen and all good, same goes for many others, so that is what I’d go with unless you modify it or something.
Even “cheap” oil changed every 7500 or less with (IMO the most important part) an OEM or very similar quality filter you’ll likely have no issues with the Toyota 3.5
I have two vehicles with this engine, the wife’s 2023 IS350 and my 2020 Avalon. My plan for the wife’s car is staying with 0w-20/5w-20 through the warranty period, which will run out due to time and not mileage. On the Avalon and after the warranty period expires on the IS, I will use up my stash of Mobil 1 5w-30 before going to the same Mobil 1 Euro 0w-40 I use in my 2013 Ram 1500 5.7. I live in central Texas, so low temperatures aren’t so much an issue.