My concern with the new Camry

[flinter]

Hi,

I am shopping for cars and recently test drove the 2026 Toyota Camry LE, base trim. I love everything about the car. However, my concern is the new required oil viscosity Toyota is using, 0W-8. This oil is so darn thin, almost like water.
My question is will this super thin oil be REALLY enough to project this engine VERY long term. Will this new Camry engine and oil REALLY be able to easily get to 250,000 plus miles like Camrys of the past??

Any thoughts, particularly from 2025, 2026 Camry owners??

Thanks
Michael in central NJ

 

[The_Jeff]

Oh, good, a new topic!

Sarcasm aside, you're worried about something you can easily change...?

 

[JohnnyG]

If you are concerned you can always go thicker. 0W-8 is for CAFE fuel economy.
I'd be more concerned about the class action lawsuit for the 8 speed transmission.

 

[goblin]

Find the user manual for any vehicle equipped with this engine for Australia, South America, Mexico - anywhere but here. See what they recommend for specific parts of the World, especially for North Africa, Iran, etc. If listed. Or for UAE.
This is the oil your engine has been built for. Or vice versa.

 

[Leo99]

If you're worried, you can use 0W-16 or 0W-20. As a Toyota fanboi, I'm hard pressed to believe that Toyota would risk their reputation without having done the proper reliability tests. Their new problematic engines seem to have issues beyond oil viscosity.

 

[Hirev]

Will this new Camry engine and oil REALLY be able to easily get to 250,000 plus miles like Camrys of the past??

Don't know not much history on this 0w 8 oil. It may be fine Toyota 4 cylinder hybird engines don't get the oil super hot. All I can tell you is my 2025 toyota signia has the same engine as the 2026 camry. Mine came from the factory with 0w 8 after about 1000 miles give or take I changed the oil to 0w20 that is most likely what it is going to get the rest of the time I own it. Reason being is I know 0w-20 has a good history on toyota hybird engines.

 

[FowVay]

If I'm not mistaken, Toyota is making the Camry only as a hybrid now and uses an electronically controlled CVT transmission. I would be far more concerned about this aspect of the vehicle than I would the motor oil recommendation.

 

[Nessism1]

If you are concerned you can always go thicker. 0W-8 is for CAFE fuel economy.
I'd be more concerned about the class action lawsuit for the 8 speed transmission.

The hybrid doesn't have an 8 seed transmission

 

[JohnnyG]

The hybrid doesn't have an 8 seed transmission

GOOD!

 

[Nessism1]

If I'm not mistaken, Toyota is making the Camry only as a hybrid now and uses an electronically controlled CVT transmission. I would be far more concerned about this aspect of the vehicle than I would the motor oil recommendation.

The transmission is totally different from a conventional CVT, despite the naming convention.

 

[Nessism1]

Regarding oil, Toyota typically allows thicker oil. Use 0W-20, and don't worry so much.

 

[FowVay]

The transmission is totally different from a conventional CVT, despite the naming convention.

EDIT: I had asked about an explanation but I looked it up and see how it works.

 

[NDL]

If you are concerned you can always go thicker. 0W-8 is for CAFE fuel economy.
I'd be more concerned about the class action lawsuit for the 8 speed transmission.

What's wrong with the 8 speed automatic?

 

[Rand]

If I'm not mistaken, Toyota is making the Camry only as a hybrid now and uses an electronically controlled CVT transmission. I would be far more concerned about this aspect of the vehicle than I would the motor oil recommendation.

I wouldn't their Ecvt is quite good.

Can you explain how it differs with regard to the power transfer?

Edit:
here is a 50s video that shows it quite well.

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

Run 0w-20 in it.

 

[Nessism1]

Can you explain how it differs with regard to the power transfer?

A conventional CVT uses a metal belt, and two pulleys (sheaves) that move in and out changing the gear ratio. The Toyota hybrid transmission is totally different. There are videos on youtube explaining how it works, but rest assured, the only similarity to a convention CVT is in the naming convention.

 

[Hirev]

What's wrong with the 8 speed automatic?

Some people are having issues with it.

 

[The Critic]

What's wrong with the 8 speed automatic?

The early ones in the Highlander are proving to be rather problematic after they have some miles.

 

[Nessism1]

I wouldn't their Ecvt is quite good.

Edit:
here is a 50s video that shows it quite well.

This is how a conventional CVT works. Totally different.

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

Deleted - wrong thread.