1996 Lexus ES300 with 118,000 mi. Currently, only a small valve cover gasket leak. Been using 5w30 (non-synthetic) Pennzoil for the most part, except for the last oil change (Castrol GTX 5w30). I'd like to step up to something better - any specific recommendations for my case?
Can I switch to 5w-20?
- Thread starter iced
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Originally Posted By: iced
1996 Lexus ES300 with 118,000 mi. Currently, only a small valve cover gasket leak. Been using 5w30 (non-synthetic) Pennzoil for the most part, except for the last oil change (Castrol GTX 5w30). I'd like to step up to something better - any specific recommendations for my case?
First of all
You are doing fine with the Pennzoil or GTX in 5w30. As long as you keep your OCIs reasonable I'd stay with what you are doing.
I would not go to a 5w-20 IMO. Toyota did not back spec that engine (that I know of) to run 5w-20 and 5w30 is a excellent oil.
Try to fix the leak if you can. It will only get worst.
Take care, bill
1996 Lexus ES300 with 118,000 mi. Currently, only a small valve cover gasket leak. Been using 5w30 (non-synthetic) Pennzoil for the most part, except for the last oil change (Castrol GTX 5w30). I'd like to step up to something better - any specific recommendations for my case?
First of all
You are doing fine with the Pennzoil or GTX in 5w30. As long as you keep your OCIs reasonable I'd stay with what you are doing.
I would not go to a 5w-20 IMO. Toyota did not back spec that engine (that I know of) to run 5w-20 and 5w30 is a excellent oil.
Try to fix the leak if you can. It will only get worst.
Take care, bill
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Ah ..I see, since 5w-20 is out of the question ...perhaps going to 0w-40 can offer "change".
Just kidding. Not much will happen either way going either way.
Yes,
btw- the MZ series of engines is approved for 5w-20 oil.
Just kidding. Not much will happen either way going either way.
Yes,
btw- the MZ series of engines is approved for 5w-20 oil.
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Ah ..I see, since 5w-20 is out of the question ...perhaps going to 0w-40 can offer "change".
Just kidding. Not much will happen either way going either way.
Yes,
btw- the MZ series of engines is approved for 5w-20 oil.
I believe the MZ series of engines that are approved for 5w-20 oil STARTS with model year 2006.
*None* of the Toyota motors made before 2006 are approved.
As least that is what the TSB I have states;
Is this not the latest TSB?
Take care, bill
Ah ..I see, since 5w-20 is out of the question ...perhaps going to 0w-40 can offer "change".
Just kidding. Not much will happen either way going either way.
Yes,
btw- the MZ series of engines is approved for 5w-20 oil.
I believe the MZ series of engines that are approved for 5w-20 oil STARTS with model year 2006.
*None* of the Toyota motors made before 2006 are approved.
As least that is what the TSB I have states;
Is this not the latest TSB?
Take care, bill
Just a quick side question, and sorry for being OT, but what changed in those engines to allow for 5w20? I have a 2004 AZ engine in my Highlander.
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Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Ah ..I see, since 5w-20 is out of the question ...perhaps going to 0w-40 can offer "change".
Just kidding. Not much will happen either way going either way.
Yes,
btw- the MZ series of engines is approved for 5w-20 oil.
I believe the MZ series of engines that are approved for 5w-20 oil STARTS with model year 2006.
*None* of the Toyota motors made before 2006 are approved.
As least that is what the TSB I have states;
Is this not the latest TSB?
Take care, bill
No ..it certifies ZERO-W-20 for the 2006 my.
It's a little hard to apply the spec to the 2006 JZ engine if you believe that's the way to read this document.
Toyota JZ engine
2JZ-GTE
Manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation
Production: 1990–2005
Predecessor: Toyota M engine
That is, all the series mention up top, regardless of m/y are good for 5w-20.
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Ah ..I see, since 5w-20 is out of the question ...perhaps going to 0w-40 can offer "change".
Just kidding. Not much will happen either way going either way.
Yes,
btw- the MZ series of engines is approved for 5w-20 oil.
I believe the MZ series of engines that are approved for 5w-20 oil STARTS with model year 2006.
*None* of the Toyota motors made before 2006 are approved.
As least that is what the TSB I have states;
Is this not the latest TSB?
Take care, bill
No ..it certifies ZERO-W-20 for the 2006 my.
It's a little hard to apply the spec to the 2006 JZ engine if you believe that's the way to read this document.
Toyota JZ engine
2JZ-GTE
Manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation
Production: 1990–2005
Predecessor: Toyota M engine
That is, all the series mention up top, regardless of m/y are good for 5w-20.
Some oil analyses show 5w30 losing viscosity and ending up at 8.5 cSt with no damage. If you test the oil in your car and find it ends up as 5w20 with no damage, you could use that right from the start.
I see no problem in running 5w20 in it. THe engine will runn fine on it.
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Ah ..I see, since 5w-20 is out of the question ...perhaps going to 0w-40 can offer "change".
Just kidding. Not much will happen either way going either way.
Yes,
btw- the MZ series of engines is approved for 5w-20 oil.
I believe the MZ series of engines that are approved for 5w-20 oil STARTS with model year 2006.
*None* of the Toyota motors made before 2006 are approved.
As least that is what the TSB I have states;
Is this not the latest TSB?
Take care, bill
No ..it certifies ZERO-W-20 for the 2006 my.
It's a little hard to apply the spec to the 2006 JZ engine if you believe that's the way to read this document.
Toyota JZ engine
2JZ-GTE
Manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation
Production: 1990–2005
Predecessor: Toyota M engine
That is, all the series mention up top, regardless of m/y are good for 5w-20.
But if you look it says Applicable vehicles. 2006-2007. Not before. (the later 2007 and 2008 they had updated the manual)
Then at the bottom it states;
Note: DO NOT use these (being both 0w-20 and 5w-20) in engines other than above. blah blah IN ENGINES WITH OLDER DESIGNS.
I called Toyota when this came out since my 1ZZFE is on the list(but installed in a MY 2005) and they said to follow the manual since the TSB was for ONLY 2006 and newer. If I ran 5w-20 I could run into problems with the warranty.
(They did make some changes in the 2006 1ZZFE which incl increasing the oil cap almost .5 quart)
The OP does not have to worry about warranty, but I have not seen where his motor is back spec'd for the 5w-20.
Also, I doubt running a 5w-20 would hurt it, I'm just wondering where is the TSB that says older motors can run it?
The JZ motor ended in 2005 but there may be some installed in MY 2006 vehicles?
My 1ZZFE was built early 2004 and it is in a 2005....
Thanks Gary, Bill
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Ah ..I see, since 5w-20 is out of the question ...perhaps going to 0w-40 can offer "change".
Just kidding. Not much will happen either way going either way.
Yes,
btw- the MZ series of engines is approved for 5w-20 oil.
I believe the MZ series of engines that are approved for 5w-20 oil STARTS with model year 2006.
*None* of the Toyota motors made before 2006 are approved.
As least that is what the TSB I have states;
Is this not the latest TSB?
Take care, bill
No ..it certifies ZERO-W-20 for the 2006 my.
It's a little hard to apply the spec to the 2006 JZ engine if you believe that's the way to read this document.
Toyota JZ engine
2JZ-GTE
Manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation
Production: 1990–2005
Predecessor: Toyota M engine
That is, all the series mention up top, regardless of m/y are good for 5w-20.
But if you look it says Applicable vehicles. 2006-2007. Not before. (the later 2007 and 2008 they had updated the manual)
Then at the bottom it states;
Note: DO NOT use these (being both 0w-20 and 5w-20) in engines other than above. blah blah IN ENGINES WITH OLDER DESIGNS.
I called Toyota when this came out since my 1ZZFE is on the list(but installed in a MY 2005) and they said to follow the manual since the TSB was for ONLY 2006 and newer. If I ran 5w-20 I could run into problems with the warranty.
(They did make some changes in the 2006 1ZZFE which incl increasing the oil cap almost .5 quart)
The OP does not have to worry about warranty, but I have not seen where his motor is back spec'd for the 5w-20.
Also, I doubt running a 5w-20 would hurt it, I'm just wondering where is the TSB that says older motors can run it?
The JZ motor ended in 2005 but there may be some installed in MY 2006 vehicles?
My 1ZZFE was built early 2004 and it is in a 2005....
Thanks Gary, Bill
A relative's 2008 Corolla with the 1ZZ-FE has 5w30 stamped on the oil cap as well as written on the manual. No mention of 5w-20 anywhere in the manual.
Yes that engine will do just fine with Mobil 1 0W40 the only thing that would prevent me from recomending Mobil 1 0W40 would be if your vechile has oil consumption issues. If not then go for it! I would not do the 5W20 or 0W20 thing in the engine. If you want to do it as an experiment to see what will happen that is fine but be prepared to do a lot of UOA as you go along just incase it is causeing accellerated wear! Since Toyota did not back spec that engine and year for a xW20 i would just leave it alone. They might know something that they are not shareing with us!
Originally Posted By: Mucho_MPG
A relative's 2008 Corolla with the 1ZZ-FE has 5w30 stamped on the oil cap as well as written on the manual. No mention of 5w-20 anywhere in the manual.
My co-workers have bought a lot of Corolla in the past year (over 10 of them) and it seems the Corollas built in Canada are the 5w-20 spec'd ones. We have only seen 1 of the Kalifornia built ones state 5w-20.
Who knows....
Take care, bill
A relative's 2008 Corolla with the 1ZZ-FE has 5w30 stamped on the oil cap as well as written on the manual. No mention of 5w-20 anywhere in the manual.
My co-workers have bought a lot of Corolla in the past year (over 10 of them) and it seems the Corollas built in Canada are the 5w-20 spec'd ones. We have only seen 1 of the Kalifornia built ones state 5w-20.
Who knows....
Take care, bill
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My take on this is that this is Toyota's OFFICIAL recognition of 5w-20 as being suitable for those engines. It's telling the dealer that they've switched at a given date to that grade oil. The 0w-20 is also Toyota's official recognition of that grade.
The listed "engine families" that it's suitable for makes it easier for the dealer to use ONE oil for many Toyota vehicles that will be serviced. It makes sense to enable the dealer to easily adopt what the factory spec oil is instead of having the OEM spec ignored in favor of 5w30 fits all.
The listed "engine families" that it's suitable for makes it easier for the dealer to use ONE oil for many Toyota vehicles that will be serviced. It makes sense to enable the dealer to easily adopt what the factory spec oil is instead of having the OEM spec ignored in favor of 5w30 fits all.
I KNOW the dealership here has ONLY 5w30 avail. They have Syn in bottles only (at only $8 a quart) and it is only in 5w30.
Same BTW with the Honda dealership here. Only has 5w30. (They do have 0w-20 in bottles)
Bill
Same BTW with the Honda dealership here. Only has 5w30. (They do have 0w-20 in bottles)
Bill
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Quote:
I KNOW the dealership here has ONLY 5w30 avail. They have Syn in bottles only (at only $8 a quart) and it is only in 5w30.
So this one dealer ignores Toyota's TSB then? It ignores the owners manual? The FSM? The head office just doesn't mean a whole lot to this dealer?
I guess that you can blow off any impression you have from the TSB then too. They don't have to do it ..
I KNOW the dealership here has ONLY 5w30 avail. They have Syn in bottles only (at only $8 a quart) and it is only in 5w30.
So this one dealer ignores Toyota's TSB then? It ignores the owners manual? The FSM? The head office just doesn't mean a whole lot to this dealer?
I guess that you can blow off any impression you have from the TSB then too. They don't have to do it ..
5w30 will soon be the 10w40. 5w20 will be the standard bulk before too long. his just helps simplify the dealers ordering. As 2006 get's further in the rear view mirror and there are less "older " vehicles visiting the dealerships I can see delars moving the way Ford dealers did .
Quote:
A relative's 2008 Corolla with the 1ZZ-FE has 5w30 stamped on the oil cap as well as written on the manual. No mention of 5w-20 anywhere in the manual.
I don't think new corollae have 1ZZ-FE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_ZR_engine
The Camry 2.4 isn't the 2.4 of old either FWIR
A relative's 2008 Corolla with the 1ZZ-FE has 5w30 stamped on the oil cap as well as written on the manual. No mention of 5w-20 anywhere in the manual.
I don't think new corollae have 1ZZ-FE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_ZR_engine
The Camry 2.4 isn't the 2.4 of old either FWIR
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Quote:
A relative's 2008 Corolla with the 1ZZ-FE has 5w30 stamped on the oil cap as well as written on the manual. No mention of 5w-20 anywhere in the manual.
I don't think new corollae have 1ZZ-FE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_ZR_engine
The Camry 2.4 isn't the 2.4 of old either FWIR
NEW Corollas are 2009.
The 1ZZFE is the ONLY engine avail in a 2008 MY.
Bill
Quote:
A relative's 2008 Corolla with the 1ZZ-FE has 5w30 stamped on the oil cap as well as written on the manual. No mention of 5w-20 anywhere in the manual.
I don't think new corollae have 1ZZ-FE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_ZR_engine
The Camry 2.4 isn't the 2.4 of old either FWIR
NEW Corollas are 2009.
The 1ZZFE is the ONLY engine avail in a 2008 MY.
Bill
Hah? The 2008 has a 1ZZ-FE 1.8L VVTi engine.
"
2008 Toyota Corolla Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
•
1,794 cc 1.8 liters in-line 4 front engine with 79.0 mm bore, 91.4 mm stroke, 10.0 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder 1ZZ-FE
•
Unleaded fuel 87
•
Multi-point injection fuel system
•
13.2 gallon main unleaded fuel tank 11.0
•
Power: 94 kW , 126 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 122 ft lb , 165 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Quit passing bad information around the site. Not helpful dude.
"
2008 Toyota Corolla Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
•
1,794 cc 1.8 liters in-line 4 front engine with 79.0 mm bore, 91.4 mm stroke, 10.0 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder 1ZZ-FE
•
Unleaded fuel 87
•
Multi-point injection fuel system
•
13.2 gallon main unleaded fuel tank 11.0
•
Power: 94 kW , 126 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 122 ft lb , 165 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Quit passing bad information around the site. Not helpful dude.
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