Syn 5-20 used instead of Conv 5-30

[brickman]

I drive a 2011 V6 Camry. I decided to make the switch to synthetic with my last oil change. I thought it was supposed to get 0-20. I couldn't find 6 qts of 0-20 so I used PP 5-20 for the change and realized when I went to fill the oil that the cap indicated 5-30. When i read the manual before the fill, I read the specs for the 4cyl. After I was done I went to check my dealer receipts to see what they had done. The engine has seen conventional 5-30 from the dealer for the first 25k miles as the changes were free.

Should I drain the syn 5-20 now and switch it with syn 5-30? Will it...could it cause any issues or can I go the normal 5k miles and just go to the syn 5/30 at that point?

 

[The Critic]

It should be fine, just don't tell Toyota or documented it in any way.

 

[synthetic_crazy]

I would be more concerned with the possibility of voiding your warranty by using the 5w-20. If you were out of the warranty period, I would just leave the 5w-20 in, but since it is still well within the period I would change it to the 5w-30.

 

[yonyon]

Maybe add a tablespoon of Lucas Oil Stabilizer and call it 5w30?

 

[umungus1122]

I can't see it doing any harm, but if it concerns you drain a little and add a bit of PP 15w-50 or similar to bring the viscosity up to a 30w.

 

[chubbs1]

Don't change the oil, you will be perfectly fine. Sleep well.

 

[weebl]

It's fine, I wouldn't worry a thing about it. For warranty purposes in the future, stick to specs in the owner's manual. The 5W-20 works perfectly fine, and if you want to use it outside of warranty, go for it.

 

[Oregoonian]

Many 5w30's will shear down to a 5w20 within a few thousand miles.

The 5w20 will work just fine.....sleep well.

 

[Zako2]

Even if oil is not optimal for the engine, it's hard to believe that much damage will be done over a single OCI. Wait until 3,000 miles on oil and take a sample for analysis. If it looks good, keep the oil for the rest of OCI. The only thing that would freak me out enough to dump the oil immediately would be seeing the oil pressure warning.

 

[brickman]

Thanks to all who offered their opinion.

 

[tig1]

I used 5-20 M1 in the 70s in engines calling for 10-40 dino and didn't have any issues except a little more oil use.

 

[Gene K]

2010-2012 Camry 4-Cylinder is approved for 10,000 mile OCI on Toyota 0W20.

2012 Camry V6 is approved for 10,000 mile OCI on Toyota 0W20

It appears the 2010-2011 Camry V6 was not approved for some reason.

Scroll to the bottom of the link for the chart.

http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pages/resources/maintenance/synthetic-motor-oil

 

[brickman]

I would love to know the differences between the engines from the '11 V6 to the '12 V6.....

 

[ChrisW]

Quote:
Many of our newer models are now certified for a new, lower viscosity Genuine Toyota 0W-20 synthetic motor oil, and here’s why.
(emphasis added)

I read this to say that Toyota hasn't tested a specific older model year for this 0W-20 oil, not that the older model years other than those already certified/tested couldn't be run on such. I wonder if Toyota is 'certifying' the oil based on model year rather than engine code (though it'd make more sense to certify by engine code, no? especially if they're the same engine). It's sort of like how we here at BITOG know that even though an oil doesn't have say Dexos label on it, the oil is the same exact oil as the previous year without the label on it.

 

[brickman]

Originally Posted By: ChrisW
Quote:
Many of our newer models are now certified for a new, lower viscosity Genuine Toyota 0W-20 synthetic motor oil, and here’s why.
(emphasis added)

I read this to say that Toyota hasn't tested a specific older model year for this 0W-20 oil, not that the older model years other than those already certified/tested couldn't be run on such. I wonder if Toyota is 'certifying' the oil based on model year rather than engine code (though it'd make more sense to certify by engine code, no? especially if they're the same engine). It's sort of like how we here at BITOG know that even though an oil doesn't have say Dexos label on it, the oil is the same exact oil as the previous year without the label on it.


Good point......

 

[fisher83]

I wouldn't worry about it. Very unlikely to cause any problem at all. Most newer cars are recommending 5w20 anyway. My Caravan says only 5w20 in the manual and on the oil cap but other ones made the same year had a chart in the manual allowing 5w20, 5w30, or 10w30. I run 5w30 in it so I only have to stock one type of oil for both of my vehicles and it seemed to burn 5w20 a little more than the 5w30 anyway. I wouldn't worry about it. I think that the two grades are close enough your engine won't know the difference.