Oil advice: 1985 Toyota Camry

[OceanRuns]

Hi everyone,

I just picked up this 1985 Camry. It has 115,800 miles. Engine is the 2.0, fuel-injected. 5 speed manual. The oil was last changed back in July, by Jiffy Lube. They used Shell conventional 5w30, and a 'Peformax' filter. They did write the date on the filter, and the oil level is good. The oil has about 1,400 miles on it.

However, below are photos of the owners manual. The back of the manual defaults to 10w30 or 40 . And, there's a detailed viscosity chart.

It says 5w30 is only for below 50 degrees? But, the manual was written in 1985.

So,

1. What would you put in it?

2. Is a higher ZDDP level something this engine should have?

The vehicles runs beautifully, and everything works, even the analog clock.

Thanks for any thoughts.

(Mine is the gasoline engine in the chart. That said, finding a diesel one would be interesting.)

 

[OceanRuns]

And here's the car...

 

[Nick1994]

Nice car! A 10w30 like MaxLife would do fine in it.

 

[wha232]

I had an "86 also with 5 speed. Went to 200k before the second timing belt broke. I junked it only because of the rust issues. I used 5w30 no problems but you can use whatever, it won't care.

 

[MrkofXcellence]

What an awesome looking ride. I had one in that same color. The manual transmission is the real saving grace here. Why not use a conventional oil in the viscosity recommended in the owners manual? I wouldn't start with any MaxLife oil unless it is using oil.

 

[fdcg27]

If someone actually bothered to have the oil changed 1400 miles ago, then perhaps this vehicle has been well looked after.
115K isn't much for a 30+ YO car either.
Older owners?
I'd have no problems in running a current 5w30 in an engine from back in the day that called for 10w30.
OTOH, why not just use a 10W40?
This is what I used when we had cars of this era and it worked well even through OH winters.
A 10w30 HDEO might also be a good choice.
In reality, the cars of this era had fairly low specific outputs and so weren't all that demanding of the engine oil.
You could probably run any 5w30 or 10w30 and the old Toy would be well protected.

 

[53' Stude]

I'll second Nick1994's advice on 10w30 Maxlife

 

[Nickdfresh]

Yeah, 10w30 or 10W-40 in summer months. I'd run an HM..

 

[MrkofXcellence]

Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
Yeah, 10w30 or 10W-40 in summer months. I'd run an HM..


Why run an oil with seal swellers if it isn't using oil?

 

[gilbertsta]

High mileage run a thicker oil 10w 40w. I recommend putting some zinc in there too. Change the oil every 5000 and you will have that engine running for a long time. Nice looking car

 

[john6974332]

I really need to buy a car in Cali.

As for the oil, either Valvoline 10w30 conventional or Maxlife

 

[fdcg27]

Why would you think that a low-po OHC engine would need more zinc?

 

[OceanRuns]

Originally Posted By: CapitalTruck
What an awesome looking ride. I had one in that same color. The manual transmission is the real saving grace here.


Yeah, considering the other 80s default option is a 3 speed auto. And, of course, manuals are more fun.

 

[OceanRuns]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Why would you think that a low-po OHC engine would need more zinc?


I don't necessarily think so, I don't know. I asking, as people here know all.

 

[B320i]

I'd say use whatever you feel comfortable with, an whatever oil gives the best value for money.

Heck, if you wanted, 5w-40 - but I doubt that's really necessary. 10w30 would probably be more than adequate in the Californian climate.

Wonder what the condition of the transaxle/transmission fluids are?

 

[oil_film_movies]

I believe Lewis & Clark drove one of those.

Good luck finding SF oil like the owner's manual 'demands'.

Seriously, use Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30, with a Fram Ultra, and change once a year.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Why would you think that a low-po OHC engine would need more zinc?
It doesn't. IMO any 10w30 will be fine.

 

[OceanRuns]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
If someone actually bothered to have the oil changed 1400 miles ago, then perhaps this vehicle has been well looked after.
115K isn't much for a 30+ YO car either.
Older owners?


Yes, it had an older owner. The family I bought it from live in a very affluent area. There are also service records which I can get in the next few days.

 

[53' Stude]

Exactly. Doesn't need extra zinc at all. This isn't a old 350 Chevy engine guys

 

[CT8]

Originally Posted By: CapitalTruck
Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
Yeah, 10w30 or 10W-40 in summer months. I'd run an HM..


Why run an oil with seal swellers if it isn't using oil?
all oils have seal swellers .