Brand New Corolla - What oil?

[kballowe]

Just picked up a brand new '08 Corolla for the wife. Owner's manual says 5w30. Sorta surprised me. I thought everything was going to 5-20?

This will be driven less than 10,000 miles per year. Mostly back and forth to work which is 12 miles each way on a rural road. Her last car was eight years old and had 72,000 miles on it..... only because we took it on several long trips.

On the previous car, I just changed every six months using M1 Synthetic 5w30 "Truck & SUV"

What do you think?

 

[Dyoel182]

I'd grab some cheap conventional and change it every 6 months.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Dyoel182
I'd grab some cheap conventional and change it every 6 months.
Yep don't need to waste for no advantage syn oil for 5,000 mile oil changes.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: kballowe
Just picked up a brand new '08 Corolla for the wife. Owner's manual says 5w30. Sorta surprised me. I thought everything was going to 5-20?

This will be driven less than 10,000 miles per year. Mostly back and forth to work which is 12 miles each way on a rural road. Her last car was eight years old and had 72,000 miles on it..... only because we took it on several long trips.

On the previous car, I just changed every six months using M1 Synthetic 5w30 "Truck & SUV"

What do you think?

I would say you are wasting your $$$ by not knowing how motor oil works.

 

[drewjp]

Bill in Utah has had fantastic results in that engine just running conventional yellow-bottle Pennzoil 5W-20 (although I'd suggest sticking with the 5w30 until the warranty runs out)

 

[glennc]

I agree completely. I'd run it to whatever the manufacturer specifies and use any good conventional. Pennzoil is great. It'll last forever that way and anything more would be a waste.

By the way it sounds like your wife's commute will be very easy on the oil so I wouldn't change it earlier than Toyota says to.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: drewjp
Bill in Utah has had fantastic results in that engine just running conventional yellow-bottle Pennzoil 5W-20 (although I'd suggest sticking with the 5w30 until the warranty runs out)


Excellent results with GTX, Pennzoil conventional and others. (I've done quite a few used oil analysis and posted them here)

One correction though. My Corolla states and I have ONLY run 5w30.

I'd recommend highly GTX or Pennzoil and change it out every 5k or 6 months which ever comes first. (Just like they state in the manual and Toyota will be REAL happy *if* you need to get something fixed)

I love my toyota corolla. 103k miles on it, gets GREAT MPG, never had a problem with it and fun to drive.

For a 14k out the door car new, can not beat it period IMO. Simple and EASY to work on.

Excellent choice.

Take care, Bill

 

[mikered30]

Interesting, I thought the 07+ Corollas spec 5W-20, there was even a TSB regarding that. The TSB is on here somewhere.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: mikered30
Interesting, I thought the 07+ Corollas spec 5W-20, there was even a TSB regarding that. The TSB is on here somewhere.


Bet he has a Canada built car. They all state 5w30 and the California built ones have 5w-20. (I have quite a few co-workers who have bought Corollas and that seems to be the difference that we can find)

Take care, bill

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: kballowe
Just picked up a brand new '08 Corolla for the wife. Owner's manual says 5w30. Sorta surprised me. I thought everything was going to 5-20?



What are the 1st three digits of your vehicle identification number?

 

[mikered30]

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...true#Post962524

http://www.matrixowners.com/tsb/TS-EG018-06.pdf

 

[02zx9r]

On my '08 corolla it specs 5W30. I ran Pennzoil conventional up until my last oci, since I got a lot of Valvoline SynPower at bogo that is whats i there now. I am doing the 5K/6 month routine.

Good little car, runs great, good mileage. Cant complain. Have just over 8400 miles on mine.

 

[mitchcoyote]

I would go pennzoil Platinum 5w30 evry 6 months.

 

[kballowe]

Originally Posted By: XS650
Originally Posted By: kballowe
Just picked up a brand new '08 Corolla for the wife. Owner's manual says 5w30. Sorta surprised me. I thought everything was going to 5-20?
What are the 1st three digits of your vehicle identification number?
1NXWindow sticker says Fremont, California.Went back to the owner's manual and looked again. Says 5w30. No mention of 5w20 in there.Was just wondering..... because am running 5w20 in three other vehicles. Got a Marquis with 178,xxx on Motorcraft 5w20 and 4k OCIs. So far it doesn't use any oil. Working on a Focus.Maybe just get some of that Motorcraft 5w30? It's certainly cheap enough. Just a thought.

 

[RTexasF]

I believe that Toyota specs 5K oil changes, our '08 RAV4 V-6 does. If the Corolla has the same interval any standard 5W30 would keep the engine in good health and satisfy warranty.

 

[kballowe]

Originally Posted By: RTexasF
I believe that Toyota specs 5K oil changes, our '08 RAV4 V-6 does. If the Corolla has the same interval any standard 5W30 would keep the engine in good health and satisfy warranty.


Yes, and you probably have the right idea. I've probably always changed oil too soon. What got me to thinking about this was my daughter's car. '02 CVIC with 153,xxx. She has the oil changed at ____lube anywhere between 5k and 8k. Pulled the top off to change a cam belt and it was nice and shiny in there. No varnish, no sludge, no nothing. Really surprised me.

Oil ain't what it used to be.... and THAT is a good thing, eh?

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: RTexasF
I believe that Toyota specs 5K oil changes, our '08 RAV4 V-6 does. If the Corolla has the same interval any standard 5W30 would keep the engine in good health and satisfy warranty.


ALL toyotas have the same maintenance booklet. So 5k or 6 months is the rule no matter how you drive or where you drive.

To the original poster, go look at my used oil analysis. You will see that even @ 5k, NORMAL conventional oil is going to be fine.

I've even done TBN on some and some oils had A LOT more protection left at or past 5k.

I've paid the $$$$$ to show that a 3k OCI really is a waste with todays oils. Even in a chain driven DOHC motor.

For warranty sakes, you will have to change the oil every 6 months if you don't drive as much (like Mike) but with conventional oil, cost is not an issue.

Changing Syn @ 5k is costly unless you are getting it for a buck a quart. Then cost is not an issue.

Quote:
What got me to thinking about this was my daughter's car. '02 CIVIC with 153,xxx. She has the oil changed at ____lube anywhere between 5k and 8k. Pulled the top off to change a cam belt and it was nice and shiny in there. No varnish, no sludge, no nothing. Really surprised me.


The Critic has had the same findings with same OCIs in his Saturn. My Dads 2001 Civic was the same way when we took off the cover for a belt change too @ 110k.

His has seen a lot of short trips too. Mostly GTX or Pennzoil 5w-20 conventional oils @5-6k.

Take care, Bill

 

[02zx9r]

Bill are you crazy??? I told you to NEVER use my real name on this site!!!!!!!


Just kidding!

 

[Lyondellic]

If your plans are to perform 6 month OCI's, then I would stick with Mobil 1 or PP. The stock Toyota oil filters are good quality, but may be more expensive than the Mobil 1 or PureOne filter offerings. I remember hearing that some Toyota engines have had sludge issues, though I can't recall which models were affected. The problem may have already been corrected by now. If there are still issues with sludge then I would stick with shorter drain intervals. I am a firm believer in synthetic engine oils, be they Group III or Group IV.

 

[Durango]

kballowe,

I too would wait until one year passes first before turning to a synthetic. That's what I did in my 89' Camry using Mobil 1. I still have it today and still runs great using M1.

Durango