Mobil 1 5w20 2011 Avalon ?

[Va Runner]

2011 Toyota Avalon 3.5 liter 18,000 miles owned since new.

Owners manual says "recommends" 5w30.
Mechanic recommended 5w20. What do you think?

Any potential issues with Toyota on warranty if I go with 5w20???

Don't want to add another grade to my stash....my other Toyotas and Honda use 5w20.

Thanks,

 

[DrDusty86]

yea, don't use m1.. much better oils are out. Valvoline comes to mind.
M1 gave me EXTREMELY high iron in a couple used oil analysis and did a few other people the same.. FE= WEAR. some claim the SN is better but I'm still not trusting that garbage.. Pennzoil Conventional is good as well

 

[volk06]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
yea, don't use m1.. much better oils are out. Valvoline comes to mind.
M1 gave me EXTREMELY high iron in a couple used oil analysis and did a few other people the same.. FE= WEAR. some claim the SN is better but I'm still not trusting that garbage.. Pennzoil Conventional is good as well

I don't see how M1 has anything to do with the OP.

To the OP, use the recommended grade of an oil that meets the manufacturer specs while under warranty.

 

[cptbarkey]

the 2GR-FE can use 5w30, 5w20, or 0w20 with no worries.

and use whatever brand you like. i would avoid all offbrand oils in convenience stores though.

 

[ChiTDI]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
the 2GR-FE can use 5w30, 5w20, or 0w20 with no worries.

and use whatever brand you like. i would avoid all offbrand oils in convenience stores though.


Maybe in your experience that is true, I don't know.
According to the Toyota chart though, 5w30 is what they say to use in that 2GR-FE. If they could safely (corporate) recommend a thinner viscosity I would think they would jump on that for CAFE reasons.
I'll see if I can post a legible copy of that chart.

 

[ChiTDI]

This is one chart, there is a better Toyota publication using three colors to show correct oil. Don't know if I can locate that one right away.

http://wms.tkcarsites.com/PagesOnTheFly/...0Type%20V12.pdf

It's your car do what you want, but I'd be a little hesitant to risk a lot of investment.

 

[cptbarkey]

havent read any reason not to, the other thread posted that chart too and nobody really provided any proof on the reasons. the engine has been out for over 6 years with not many changes from my understanding.

 

[ChiTDI]

This chart is the one I was thinking about originally, and it does say 5w20 as well as the 5w30. So you were right cpt, I don't know about the 0w20. If 5w20 gets the ok, I can't see why a 0w wouldn't.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2143463

 

[QuietPortage]

Originally Posted By: ChiTDI
This chart is the one I was thinking about originally, and it does say 5w20 as well as the 5w30. So you were right cpt, I don't know about the 0w20. If 5w20 gets the ok, I can't see why a 0w wouldn't.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2143463

This is from Toyota Canada. The U.S. version requires 5w30. Stick with that until your warranty is up.

 

[bepperb]

On one hand our minivan has the same engine, carries a lot more weight, and specs 0w-20. On the other hand is your warranty. I would use the spec'd oil until the warranty is up, then changeover to the 0w-20 I run, or 5-20.

Mobil 1 high iron? Really? That horse is beaten halfway to China by now.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

On a high power density V6, Id run a good dexos1 approval list 5w30 "conventional" MIN and then sneek in the mix 1 or 2 qts LL01 5w40 to boot. ILSAC spec EXxonMobil M1 is NOT SYNTHETIC (regardless of what the packaging states) and meets the same improved ILSAC GF spec as all ILSAC GF "conventional" (which are NOT conventional anymore - they all meet in the middle).

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Va Runner
2011 Toyota Avalon 3.5 liter 18,000 miles owned since new.

Owners manual says "recommends" 5w30.
Mechanic recommended 5w20. What do you think?



I have 2 of those engines right now. One has 13000 miles the other over 160,000. Both get only 5w30 Quaker State or Pennzoil.

Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 runs the best in them.

 

[ChiTDI]

When did you service the trans?