Do I really need three different oils for my Ford transit, Toyota 4Runner and Prius?

Joined
Sep 12, 2016
Messages
3
Location
Florida
5w-20 2020 ford transit 3.7 gas 80k, 0W-20 2020 4runner v6 60k, 5W-30 2006 prius 110k.

I'm in South Florida. It's hot and humid.

Do I really need three different oils?
 
That dual vvti 4.0 v6 started production in 2009 and is used overseas in applications like the toyota fortuner which specs everything from 20 to 50 grade. Same with your prius that engine code specs up to 50 overseas. You can run anything in those engines. The 3.7 also is spec'd to run 30 grade but you can use a 40 with no issue since I have a client that runs a fleet of fords with that 3.7 and 6.7 diesels and runs bulk barrels of delo 15w-40 in everything. So switch all of them to a 30 grade.
 
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That dual vvti 4.0 v6 started production in 2009 and is used overseas in applications like the toyota fortuner which specs everything from 20 to 50 grade. Same with your prius that engine code specs up to 50 overseas. You can run anything in those engines. The 3.7 also is spec'd to run 30 grade but you could use a 40 with no issue. So switch all of them to a 30 grade.
Love that 4.0 and sad to see them moving away from it. Turboing everything it seems.
 
I would do non-Euro 5w30 SPs.
They'll be fine with a non euro 5w-30's sp but none of those engines are lspi prone. He could run high saps diesel or euro oils and be fine unless one of them burns a lot and he needs it to pass inspection.

If I had a rural king near me which I unfortunately don't I'd literally be running delvac 1630 mono 30 diesel in all gas trucks right now and would still run the same mono 30 diesel in those two Toyotas and ford if I had them down in Florida and access to a rural king.
 
5w-20 2020 ford transit 3.7 gas 80k, 0W-20 2020 4runner v6 60k, 5W-30 2006 prius 110k.

I'm in South Florida. It's hot and humid.

Do I really need three different oils?
I'll bet if you look up the owner manual in other countries, you will find 5w30 is just fine. I know for a fact that the 4 Runner can run on 40wt, down to 10 degrees.

I would do 5w30 all day long.

Below is an example of what I am talking about......In the USA they state 0w20 on the book and cap. The following covers all Tundras and Landcruisers made until 2020.

1728844244784.webp
 
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You're in S Florida so two of your official oil specs are -20 weight oils. Forget the number in front of the "w" in your climate. Others have explained that the 4Runner specifies everything from -30 to -40 to -50 in other countries so now you know the two Toyotas can certainly run 5W-30.

For the Transit, I wouldn't be concerned one bit about running a grade of oil one step higher than spec'd, i.e. -20 to -30. See what Ford says to use in that Transit in Mexico or the mideast. I bet you'll find they spec at least -30 there.
 
I'd do 5W30 and be done.

That said, I keep 3 oils on the shelf, around 2 changes ahead. It's not that much space. Maybe I'll regret that if I suddenly change out of a vehicle and now have an orphan oil... small risk and small cost.
 
What does “an endurance race proven oil” mean?
Is that an API, ACEA or manufacturers’ approval?
I thought that we weren’t supposed to use race oils in street driven vehicles.

It means it's an oil that has proven itself in conditions far exceeding the rigours of daily driving. That, plus all of it's approvals speak for itself.

API SP
ACEA A3/B4

Manufacturer's approvals:
AVTOVAZ (LADA cars)
MB-Appoval 229.5
MB-Approval 229.3
Nissan Genuine Performances
Porsche A40
VW 502 00
VW 505 00
BMW Longlife 01
 
It means it's an oil that has proven itself in conditions far exceeding the rigours of daily driving. That, plus all of it's approvals speak for itself.

API SP
ACEA A3/B4

Manufacturer's approvals:
AVTOVAZ (LADA cars)
MB-Appoval 229.5
MB-Approval 229.3
Nissan Genuine Performances
Porsche A40
VW 502 00
VW 505 00
BMW Lon
i would say that no endurance racing team uses much else than a dedicated racing oil. None of which would be listed with any or all of those approvals.
 
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