Proper viscosity for '08 Vibe?

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wolfc70

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My mom just purchased an used '08 Vibe with the Toyota 1ZZ-FE engine. Oil cap and owners manual say 5w-30, dealer said 5w-20 is preferred. Does the 1ZZ-FE work well with the 5w-20? I usually do the work on her car (saves money), and was thinking to use the Motorcraft 5w-20 semi syn oil. I have used the MC 5w-30 in the past and was always happy with the results. I think the dealer put in 5w-20, and there seems to be no signs of oil conumption, but the car only has 20k miles on it. Thoughts?

Justin
 
Either would be fine. I'm actually surprised the oil cap isn't a 5w-20. Are you stuck at a 5000 mile OCI to maintain warranty anyway?
 
Follow the manufactures recommendation on the engine & in your manual 5w30. Some dealerships are trying to reduce inventory buy pushing people to one grade.
 
Originally Posted By: bepperb
Either would be fine. I'm actually surprised the oil cap isn't a 5w-20. Are you stuck at a 5000 mile OCI to maintain warranty anyway?


Yup. 5000 mile OCI for warranty.
 
Originally Posted By: Pablo
I would contact Toyota of USA, seems there is at least one bulletin on this.


Thanks for that!There is indeed a bulletin. 5w-20 is recommended.

http://www.matrixowners.com/tsb/TS-EG018-06.pdf

I really do not have a problem running the 5w-20. I will try the MC 5w-20 until the warranty is up, then I may switch to a full syn to stretch out the OCI a bit.
 
I'd use 5W-30. If there was ever a question about what oil was used for warranty work, its much, much easier to point to the engine oil cap and say "I used 5W-30, just like it says to THERE", rather than saying "Well, the engine oil cap says 5W-30, but I used 5W-20 because there was a Technical Service Bulleting from Toyota...don't remember the number, I saw it on-line..."

See where I'm going?

I will NEVER understand people who make stuff like this more difficult than it has to be!!!
 
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I'd use 5W-30. If there was ever a question about what oil was used for warranty work, its much, much easier to point to the engine oil cap and say "I used 5W-30, just like it says to THERE", rather than saying "Well, the engine oil cap says 5W-30, but I used 5W-20 because there was a Technical Service Bulleting from Toyota...don't remember the number, I saw it on-line..."

See where I'm going?

I will NEVER understand people who make stuff like this more difficult than it has to be!!!


+1 Use what the cap says. If you get a TSB that says something different print it and file it, if you decide to go with it. If not use what the fill cap, and or OM suggest.
 
"I will NEVER understand people who make stuff like this more difficult than it has to be!!!"

You're the one making it more difficult. What's wrong with "either will work"? The dealer themselves are putting the 5-20 in, if they hassle you.... "well, you're the one who put it in there!"
 
I have an 08' Corolla with the same engine and the cap says 5W30 while the TSB says 5W20. I have 5W30 in it right now (summer) but plan on trying 5W20 for the fall/winter OCI. I have read that this engine 'prefers' the slightly thicker 5W30.
 
Yep...what pbm says sounds pretty good to me. Depending on how it's driven as far as short or long trips, how much time at full operating temperature for the oil, etc., I'd be inclined to stick with 5w30 especially in the warm months and try the 5w20 in the colder months. If it's mostly driven short trips, then the thinner oil should be fine all the time.
 
Originally Posted By: bepperb
"I will NEVER understand people who make stuff like this more difficult than it has to be!!!"

You're the one making it more difficult. What's wrong with "either will work"? The dealer themselves are putting the 5-20 in, if they hassle you.... "well, you're the one who put it in there!"


What's wrong with the fill cap or OM suggestion? Most people have no clue what a TSB is. For those who do, they should print and file it if they decide to follow it.

I don't go to the dealer, so I'm the one who put it in there, and will have my [censored] covered in the event of a problem.
 
Would 2 quarts of Pennzoil YB 5w20 and 2 quarts of PYB 5w30 equal 4 quarts of PYB 5W25? Would there be any additive clash? This sounds like a good compromise for this engine.
 
I have a 2008 Corolla with the same 1ZZFE engine the OP has. Mine says 5w-30 on the oil cap. TSB has no mention of 2008 1ZZFE engines and I called several dealers.

The dealers I called told me that my 2008 1ZZFE should be running 5w-30 and strongly made it clear that the TSB wasn't applicable to me and for warranty purposes I had better be running 5w-30.
 
Originally Posted By: pbm
http://www.matrixowners.com/tsb/TS-EG018-06.pdf

SF: This bulletin does specify 5w20 for 06' and 07' 1ZZFE engines. I can't see Toyota not spec'ing it for 08' and leaving it spec'd for 06' and 07' ????


I hear you on that man, believe me.
thumbsup2.gif
I thought exactly the same thing and am sort of [censored] that a real TSB hasn't come out yet that actually says Corolla, 1ZZFE and the year 2008. Pretty [censored] poor communication on Toyota's part.

I just know what my dealer says to do and what my oil cap says: 5w-30. I am not going to disregard two points of information for a TSB that doesn't even mention my car or model year on it.

You see where I am coming from on this? I want to run 5w-20, but will not until I see it in stone.

ETA: I hope I am not coming across as rude or arrogant with you pbm.
cheers3.gif
I asked this TSB question when I first joined up here in 1/2008 and went through all this stuff. I'll try to find that thread.
 
Last edited:
ETA: I hope I am not coming across as rude or arrogant with you pbm.
cheers3.gif
I asked this TSB question when I first joined up here in 1/2008 and went through all this stuff. I'll try to find that thread. [/quote]


I didn't think that at all.
Like me, you are trying to do the right thing for your car.
As I stated earlier ... I have read that 1ZZFE's like 5w30 better but I'm going with 5W20 this winter because it will see a lot of short trips and also because I have the 5W20 already.
 
I just checked on T-TIS, and the recommended oils for the 08 Matrix with this engine are 5w-30 or 10w-30 (with the usual language about how the 5w is "preferred" for fuel economy).
 
I never understood why the TSB applies to the 06 and 07 1zz fe. I know the 05+ have a longer dipstick, hence can hold more oil. Is that the only difference? If so, why doesn't the 05 apply?
 
The bulletin came out March 29, 2006. That is why 2008 is not listed. The Pontiac dealer that the car was purchased from said to use 5w-20. The same dealer owns the Toyota place across the street, and they recommended using 5w-20 also. Both places said the 5w-30 will also be fine. I will try both and see what the car likes. I will run the Motorcraft oil and a PureOne filter with a 5000 mile oci
 
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