C3 oil choices in Australia

<Viscosity> cst@100deg. C:

Nulon APEX+ Euro C3 5W-30: 11.5
Shell Helix Ultra C2/C3 0W-30: 11.9
Mobil1 ESP C3 5W-30: 11.8
Drew2: "2018 toyota prado with the 1GD-FTV 2.8 and DPF - the manual specifies c2 0w30 or 5w30"

Looking at the three choices above it's only Shell Helix Ultra 0W30 ECT that formally meets C2 and C3. The M1 5W30 ESP meets C3 and is suitable for C2, according to Mobil. The Nulon Apex makes no mention of C2, neither does the Edge 0W30 LL or 5W30 LL.

Looking at the ACEA sequences, apart from the HTHS (high temperature high shear) viscosity requirements already mentioned, the only difference between C2 and C3 is that a C2 oil has to show a greater fuel economy improvement than C3.

Probably why M1 says suitable for C2 applications but doesn't formally claim C2. They didn't quite make the required fuel economy improvement over the reference test oil. I would still happily use M1 ESP if I could find it at a reasonable price.

But the clear choice is the Shell Helix Ultra 0W30 ECT, it clearly matches your vehicle requirements, is available everywhere at reasonable prices (for Australia) and also has a lot of extra high quality OEM approvals. From the Shell web page
Specifications: ACEA C2, ACEA C3, API SN, VW504.00/507.00, MB 229.52, MB 229.51, MB 229.31, Fiat 955535.GS1 & Fiat 955535.DS1 (meets requirements), Porsche C30.
 
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At the Toyota dealer I worked at the bulk oil used in these was TGMO 0w30 which was supplied by Caltex at the time (not sure who supplies it now, possibly Mobil). These never seemed like overly picky engines and the two major issues they had - timing chains and DPFs - were unrelated to the oil. I think any of the oils mentioned so far will do fine.
 
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At the Toyota dealer I worked at the bulk oil used in these was TGMO 0w30 which was supplied by Caltex at the time
Thanks mate, good to know.
I assume that would have been a bulk version of the Caltex Havoline ProDS 0W30, or very similar.
This is ACEA C2 rated and has a viscosity of KV100 = 9.3 cSt.
That would perfectly match the Toyota requirements printed in the owners manual for the Prado.

May I ask, did you have a different oil for the petrol cars, or did the 0W30 go into everything?
The Euro ACEA "C" oils are defined as being suitable for both petrol and diesel engines. It's a high quality specification, so I can see it working well in a Corolla etc.
 
At the Toyota dealer I worked at the bulk oil used in these was TGMO 0w30 which was supplied by Caltex at the time (not sure who supplies it now, possibly Mobil). These never seemed like overly picky engines and the two major issues they had - timing chains and DPFs - were unrelated to the oil. I think any of the oils mentioned so far will do fine.
Thanks very much for your reply mate. Ive heard about both the timing chain and dpf issues. Hopefully I can avoid those issues!
Ive heard that running incorrect spec (ie. not C2 or C3) will likely ruin the dpf, and presuambly more frequent OCI might help the timing chain stay in good order.
Cheers
 
May I ask, did you have a different oil for the petrol cars, or did the 0W30 go into everything?
The Euro ACEA "C" oils are defined as being suitable for both petrol and diesel engines. It's a high quality specification, so I can see it working well in a Corolla etc.

Most petrol engines got bulk 5w30, as well as modern non-DPF diesels e.g 1KD. Old rattlers e.g. 1HZs got 15w40 which came in bottles from the parts department. Special cars like the Supra & GR Yaris had their own specific oils which again came in bottles.

Driveline wise ATF was all bottled but most gear/diff/mtf oils were bulk Caltex.

Thanks very much for your reply mate. Ive heard about both the timing chain and dpf issues. Hopefully I can avoid those issues!
Ive heard that running incorrect spec (ie. not C2 or C3) will likely ruin the dpf, and presuambly more frequent OCI might help the timing chain stay in good order.
Cheers

The standard 10000km interval specified by Toyota is fine.

A 2018 model has likely had the DPF rework performed (updated 5th injector housing, ECM update and new DPF), so long as you use the correct spec oil it shouldn’t ever be an issue.

While the prado was technically affected by the timing chain issue I don’t recall ever seeing one being done but we often had multiple hiluxes in at once being repaired. I’m not sure why but I can only assume the Prado engines were built in Japan potentially using a different manufacturer for the timing chain components which could be why. The issue was blamed on poor quality guides/tensioners which is why I think that.
 
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Thanks mate, good to know.
I assume that would have been a bulk version of the Caltex Havoline ProDS 0W30, or very similar.
This is ACEA C2 rated and has a viscosity of KV100 = 9.3 cSt.
That would perfectly match the Toyota requirements printed in the owners manual for the Prado.

May I ask, did you have a different oil for the petrol cars, or did the 0W30 go into everything?
The Euro ACEA "C" oils are defined as being suitable for both petrol and diesel engines. It's a high quality specification, so I can see it working well in a Corolla etc.
I7
Most petrol engines got bulk 5w30, as well as modern non-DPF diesels e.g 1KD. Old rattlers e.g. 1HZs got 15w40 which came in bottles from the parts department. Special cars like the Supra & GR Yaris had their own specific oils which again came in bottles.

Driveline wise ATF was all bottled but most gear/diff/mtf oils were bulk Caltex.



The standard 10000km interval specified by Toyota is fine.

A 2018 model has likely had the DPF rework performed (updated 5th injector housing, ECM update and new DPF), so long as you use the correct spec oil it shouldn’t ever be an issue.

While the prado was technically affected by the timing chain issue I don’t recall ever seeing one being done but we often had multiple hiluxes in at once being repaired. I’m not sure why but I can only assume the Prado engines were built in Japan potentially using a different manufacturer for the timing chain components which could be why. The issue was blamed on poor quality guides/tensioners which is why I think that.
Thanks very much for your reply, it is really interesting to hear your first hand experience and knowledge. It's a 2018 model but was owned by defence, always serviced at Toyota so yeah probably would've had those DPF recall dealt with. Had only done 70K km in 6 years, but in 6 months Ive already done 25K km, so far all good and enjoying it.
Thanks again
 
Most petrol engines got bulk 5w30, as well as modern non-DPF diesels e.g 1KD. Old rattlers e.g. 1HZs got 15w40 which came in bottles from the parts department. Special cars like the Supra & GR Yaris had their own specific oils which again came in bottles.

Driveline wise ATF was all bottled but most gear/diff/mtf oils were bulk Caltex.
Thanks mate, very interesting.
 
If you want some reasonably priced Australian made oil for your Prado, don't overlook Gulf Western. Their products are excellent: https://www.gulfwestern.com.au/product/euro-energy-5w-30/
I've been using a bit of Gulf Western 10W30 semi-synthetic that's API SP, I picked it up at a good price and wanted to give them a go.

That Euro-Energy 5W30 you linked to says "MB-APPROVAL 229.31/229.51" yet when I look up the MB website that lists all the approved oils, I can't see Gulf Western listed. They do have a Gulf Oil from England, but I assume that is a different company.
 
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