Toyota 2GR-FE why not all 0W-20?

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Slick17601

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I recently purchased a 2012 RAV4 V6 to complement my Sienna. I was surprised to learn the 2012 does not require 0W-20, oil cap and manual both specify 5w30. The nice thing is both vehicles take the same oil & filter but I'm curious why some 2012 models with the 2GR-FE take 0W-20 (Sienna, Camry, Highlander) and some take 5w30 (Avalon, RAV4).

Any thoughts?
 
Good question and I'm interested in the answer as well as I just purchased a 2012 Sienna with this engine running 0W-20. And a recommended 10,000 mile OCI right off the bat! I don't know if I can tolerate that on the first OC.
 
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Originally Posted By: Bluestream
The engineers have decided that a 5w30 is a better oil for the design of that engine.

Perhaps you meant that "application" of the engine. Full time AWD? Off road? IDK?
 
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
The engineers have decided that a 5w30 is a better oil for the design of that engine.


Re-read my post...my point is depending on the model of vehicle they are specing different oil..it's the same engine.
 
It may be the same engine, but is it the same oil pump? There's not much difference between a thick 5W20 and a thin 5W30. I don't know about this engine, but many engines running 5W20 have a higher capacity oil pump. Maybe this engine is used in Global markets that don't use 5W20. Easier to build one engine for all markets and spec the 5W30. This may be the case here
 
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I doubt we will ever know unless a Toyota engineer whom is directly involved in the R&D of these engines logs on to BITOG and goes on record stating why.

I'm on board with you questioning why the use of 5w30, especially from Toyota. My CR-V is pretty much the same vehicle as your RAV-4 and mine specifies 0w-20.

I'm also on board with that long initial oil change. I bought my CR-V in early December. Still has the FF at 7000 miles. OLM at 40%
 
We have two RAV4s with the 3.5l V-6. Why this model alone specs 5W30 when all others with the 3.5l spec XW20 is beyond me. Even the V-8 uses 20. I tried to get an answer from the dealer and from Toyota....time wasted in both cases. So 5W30 it is changed every six months or 5K miles.
 
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I'm on board with you questioning why the use of 5w30, especially from Toyota. My CR-V is pretty much the same vehicle as your RAV-4 and mine specifies 0w-20.


They are nothing alike. Your Honda has a 2.4l four banger and his RAV has a 3.5l V-6. Honda jumped on the 5W20 bandwagon a decade ago and Toyota is just now getting around to it and then only with certain models. They are not even close to "pretty much the same".
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Prob BC it has mored horsepower than my old 01 Bullitt Mustang.

I don't think HP has anything to do with it. My Sienna specs 265 HP and 0W-20. I traded a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan with a 3.3 L V6 that made 188 HP and called for 10w30.
 
My '12 ES350 calls for 5w30 conventional and the '12 Camry V6 same engine calls for 0w20.
The ES350 now has a regular fuel recommendation like the Camry.Yet the oil weight is different.
Doesn't make sense but I like a 5w30 more than a 0w20.
I was told that the '13 ES350 will have synthetic 0w20 oil.
 
Just to throw some more confusion into the works...

Toyota CANADA sent me this chart last year

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2143463#Post2143463

Shows 2012 RAV4 with the v6 as able to run 0w20, 5w20 or 5w30.

For the person with the ES350 - Lexus CANADA sent me this chart

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2467275&page=1

Shows ES350 as able to run all three weights too.

Keep in mind, these charts were from Toyota and Lexus in Canada. I don't know why the weights would need to be different in the States...
 
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In different vehicles air flows differently, cooling systems are different, weight is different, gear ratios and transmission shift strategy can be different, and the expected use of that model may also be different. It's also possible there may be a different "target market" for one model than for another and it is expected that one may more easily tolerate a different per event maintenance cost.
 
Good to know. If the 2012 Rav4 and Camry v6 engines are identical in every way, then the necessity to buy "Toyota brand 0w20" in the Camry is nothing more than Toyota getting into the oil business, promoting their own products, and CAFE.
 
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Good to know. If the 2012 Rav4 and Camry v6 engines are identical in every way, then the necessity to buy "Toyota brand 0w20" in the Camry is nothing more than Toyota getting into the oil business, promoting their own products, and CAFE.


Amen!
 
Originally Posted By: Slick17601
I recently purchased a 2012 RAV4 V6 to complement my Sienna. I was surprised to learn the 2012 does not require 0W-20, oil cap and manual both specify 5w30. The nice thing is both vehicles take the same oil & filter but I'm curious why some 2012 models with the 2GR-FE take 0W-20 (Sienna, Camry, Highlander) and some take 5w30 (Avalon, RAV4).

Any thoughts?


Sienna and Highlander are heavier and will task the engine more, but both have oil cooler. Rav4 and Avalon have no oil cooler and thus require heavier oil. Camry doesn't have oil cooler, but is lighter and speced to tow less.

So, it simply boils down to expected oil temp at maximum specified load, as usually.

If one does no towing and drives slowly or with less than maximal load, 0W20 would be OK in RAV4 with V6.
 
I suspect the answer is very simple: this engine will perform just fine on many different grades of oil and Toy specs the lightest in the U.S. only to help meet cafe standards.
 
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